Michael Jackson's legacy clouded by dark documentary

“I don’t think we’ve seen anything like it.”Still, Oprah Winfrey, with her vast influence, may have heralded a shift in public attitudes just by hosting the special “After Neverland,” in which she interviewed the documentary’s subjects, James Safechuck and Wade Robson.“I hope we can get beyond Michael Jackson the icon, stop staring into the sun, and do what is necessary to help our children and ourselves,” Winfrey said in front of an audience of sexual abuse survivors and their supporters.She did not directly condemn Jackson. Even before the special taped, she was subject to fierce criticism by some who left disparaging comments on her social media account.It could be that Jackson’s fandom is so pervasive, especially in countries that don’t follow his personal news closely, that the documentary and renewed allegations will just make a small dent.“For Michael Jackson’s fans, more so probably outside of America, I don’t think it will have an effect, because they’ll ride or die with Michael,” Deraney said.Robson and Safechuck’s allegations didn’t emerge until 2013, when they filed lawsuits seeking money from Jackson’s estate that have since been thrown out and are under appeal. “I think when a lot of people think of Michael Jackson they already think ‘pedophile,’ whether or not there is any proof.”“I think what it comes down to,” Deraney added, “is future generations.”Many millennials have only vague knowledge of the Jackson accusations, and are shocked even by facts that are acknowledged by both sides.“I’m young enough to have not been aware of the allegations about Michael Jackson as they were happening,” 31-year-old New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie tweeted while watching the documentary.