June 25, 2009 was the day the earth actually stood still. Television ratings for CNN and other news networks went through the roof. It was the day that the internet literally shut down because of the tens millions that sought more information about Jackson’s sudden death. Though this page is specifically for religious issues in the Charlotte area, I felt that my first article should at least acknowledge the man who became the “King of Pop”. Michael Jackson seemed to validate, at least in part, the authenticity of the American Dream. He went further than anyone could imagine. He climbed higher than the human eye could see. He spread his wings and soared above issues of race, creed, or color, sending the barriers of prejudice and intolerance crashing downward engulfed in flames. And with only his great talents and sheer willpower, he set the world on its toes and made us dance; more importantly, he taught us how to dance together as a nation, as a planet, regardless of our skin tones. But no more. Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 2:26 p.m., Michael Jackson spread his wings for the last time and flew home.
He left no note, no words of goodbye. He only left us his music, his dance, his videos, and his memory to console us. We have cried, and some of us are still crying, we have mourned and some are still mourning, we have done all that we can do to shake the pain, the shock, and the dismay. But the grief hasn’t really left us. We watch his videos and smile, then we sob again because we know he won’t be back. We play his CDs and sing at the top of our lungs, and then we slump in a remote corner, whispering “I miss you Michael”. And those who didn’t care for him, those who hurled the accusations and spread the rumors, may ask, why are his fans in such disarray over his passing. But the answer is simple – because when Michael died, he took a piece of us with him and just as we can’t have him back, we can’t have that part of ourselves back again either. He represented our high school days, our graduation parties, our wedding receptions, our Friday nights on the dance floor, and our children’s births. We took him and his music everywhere with us and he helped us get through the bus ride to school and the long days at work. No matter how hard the task, no matter how bleak the situation, no matter how cold the night was, no matter how lifeless the party was, Michael uplifted us. When we couldn’t sink down any lower, he caused us to get up and bounce Off The Wall. When we fell into despair, he helped us to Beat It and when we lagged in boredom, he gave us a true Thriller. And just when our hopes sunk to the bowels of the earth, he showed us how to walk on the moon. He wasn’t merely an entertainer, he was another part of us, a part that we couldn’t touch, yet we could feel him. We couldn’t always see him, yet we could always see ourselves in him. You see, every Michael Jackson song brought back a memory, a joyous thought from some aspect of our lives.
And now, things will turn ugly; they have already. Allegations of prescription drug abuse, addiction to painkillers such as Demerol, track marks on his body, and requests for another autopsy by the Jackson family, will no doubt cause further speculation concerning Michael’s death. The possibly of custody battles over his three children and his estate because of his will purposely omitting his offspring’s’ mother, only adds to the media frenzy. And in the process, his perseverance as a pop icon will be challenged. No matter what derogatory statements have been made against him, Jackson’s influence on both American and international culture can not be denied or ignored. And now, his legacy and memorabilia is expected to surpass that of Elvis Presley and Graceland. Reportedly, Michael’s CDs are selling out all across the planet. His talent and success may never be equaled.
I have listened to and watched Michael for over 35 years and I'm still memorized by him. I have many memories linked to Michael’s music, but my fondest memory is from tonight - my 19 year old daughter and I had a rift between us for awhile now, but since his passing, we've talked more than we have in years. We stayed up most of the night watching his videos and we began reconnecting as we discussed our favorite Michael Jackson songs and videos. We found out that we had so much in common still and I'm thankful that she and I could remember Michael together as family - I am indebted to him. He brought people together during his life and now he's bringing people together through his death. As we mourn his passing, let's keep in mind that as long as we keep his memory alive, he's never truly gone. I leave you now with this quote:
“If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with”. Michael Jackson
Michael once said “The greatest education in the world is watching the masters at work”. Here is a true master at work and the final video is my own tribute to MJ.
He left no note, no words of goodbye. He only left us his music, his dance, his videos, and his memory to console us. We have cried, and some of us are still crying, we have mourned and some are still mourning, we have done all that we can do to shake the pain, the shock, and the dismay. But the grief hasn’t really left us. We watch his videos and smile, then we sob again because we know he won’t be back. We play his CDs and sing at the top of our lungs, and then we slump in a remote corner, whispering “I miss you Michael”. And those who didn’t care for him, those who hurled the accusations and spread the rumors, may ask, why are his fans in such disarray over his passing. But the answer is simple – because when Michael died, he took a piece of us with him and just as we can’t have him back, we can’t have that part of ourselves back again either. He represented our high school days, our graduation parties, our wedding receptions, our Friday nights on the dance floor, and our children’s births. We took him and his music everywhere with us and he helped us get through the bus ride to school and the long days at work. No matter how hard the task, no matter how bleak the situation, no matter how cold the night was, no matter how lifeless the party was, Michael uplifted us. When we couldn’t sink down any lower, he caused us to get up and bounce Off The Wall. When we fell into despair, he helped us to Beat It and when we lagged in boredom, he gave us a true Thriller. And just when our hopes sunk to the bowels of the earth, he showed us how to walk on the moon. He wasn’t merely an entertainer, he was another part of us, a part that we couldn’t touch, yet we could feel him. We couldn’t always see him, yet we could always see ourselves in him. You see, every Michael Jackson song brought back a memory, a joyous thought from some aspect of our lives.
And now, things will turn ugly; they have already. Allegations of prescription drug abuse, addiction to painkillers such as Demerol, track marks on his body, and requests for another autopsy by the Jackson family, will no doubt cause further speculation concerning Michael’s death. The possibly of custody battles over his three children and his estate because of his will purposely omitting his offspring’s’ mother, only adds to the media frenzy. And in the process, his perseverance as a pop icon will be challenged. No matter what derogatory statements have been made against him, Jackson’s influence on both American and international culture can not be denied or ignored. And now, his legacy and memorabilia is expected to surpass that of Elvis Presley and Graceland. Reportedly, Michael’s CDs are selling out all across the planet. His talent and success may never be equaled.
I have listened to and watched Michael for over 35 years and I'm still memorized by him. I have many memories linked to Michael’s music, but my fondest memory is from tonight - my 19 year old daughter and I had a rift between us for awhile now, but since his passing, we've talked more than we have in years. We stayed up most of the night watching his videos and we began reconnecting as we discussed our favorite Michael Jackson songs and videos. We found out that we had so much in common still and I'm thankful that she and I could remember Michael together as family - I am indebted to him. He brought people together during his life and now he's bringing people together through his death. As we mourn his passing, let's keep in mind that as long as we keep his memory alive, he's never truly gone. I leave you now with this quote:
“If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with”. Michael Jackson
Michael once said “The greatest education in the world is watching the masters at work”. Here is a true master at work and the final video is my own tribute to MJ.
I particularly enjoyed reading this article. thank you.
ReplyDeleteI was interested in your article entitled
Joe Jackson's strange LKL interview and AEG plans to release michael jackson movie. Any chance of finding it along with the comments that were made on the web page?
thank you very much