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Dad Diary

 Unfortunately, there is one thing my son will watch beyond cartoons, and it's "Smooth Criminal."


I try to imagine how I might contextualize this dance routine. "Michael Jackson was a monster and a pedophile, but also a brilliant dancer.....and many producers on Broadway decided that America was ready to forget the bad stuff and be entertained....And the producers were right.....because....here we are, watching clips from the Michael Jackson musical...."

I spoke too soon. My son will also watch "Together Again," featuring Janet Jackson. And a speech begins in my head: "Janet is an apologist for her brother....She does what she can to scrub his image.....But maybe it's not fair that she is forced into any kind of public position vis-a-vis Michael....who was a grown man, after all...."

Occasionally, I sigh deeply, as a way to keep my head on straight. And my son--a shrewd mimic--does the same. When he is irritated with his sister, I hear him inhaling on a count of eight, and I see his eyes, and they have a God, give me strength expression.

I try to distract him. I sing "Some Enchanted Evening." He loves this song, and he starts to giggle. And my endless inner monologue resumes: "Richard Rodgers....sort of a jackass....but maybe not comparable to Michael Jackson....."

Happy weekend.
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