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A Brief Word On Michael Jackson.
Jun. 29th, 2009 02:48 pmOkay, so I initially figured that I wasn't going to say anything about MJ's recent death. However, it's stayed on my mind ever since it happened, and I felt that I did want to say a few words on it. So, here goes...
...I am one of those people. One of those people who grew up with Michael Jackson; whose first album was Thriller; who thought he was the bee's knees when I was ten. I still remember how my mother would get me out of bed in the morning by putting on "Wanna Be Startin' Something" when I was in preschool. (I had that awesome LP with the foldout shot of MJ with the tiger cub on his lap.) I still remember staying up late in the 8th grade to watch his concert broadcast on HBO. I owned the Moonwalker video. (And the Moonwalker book, too, bitches. And I've still got both.) I consider the video for "Smooth Criminal" to be the best dance video of all time. I dug the Alien Ant Farm cover of that song, because I perceived the heartfelt tribute inherent in it. Those guys were from my generation.
So, I have to admit that I was really upset to hear he had died.
But not for the reasons you might imagine.
I'm not interested in the laundry list of dirty secrets from the man's life. I don't know (and will never know) his real story. I can only say what I think about him. I think he was a deeply disturbed man, and I think his life was a great pity. However, despite his many troubles and crazinesses, he gifted to the world a rich musical and artistic legacy. And I am thankful for that.
And I mourn the loss of Michael Jackson. He was a pillar of my childhood, and losing him hurt. But I have been mourning the loss of Michael Jackson for years and years now. Because we all lost him long ago, and perhaps the thing that I consider saddest about all of this is that only now have most people finally noticed that heartbreaking loss.
I pray for his family. I pray for his friends and loved ones. I pray for all the future lost causes. I pray that someone will realize what is happening to them before it's too late.
You rocked my world, MJ.
Thanks for that.
I hope you're at peace now.
...I am one of those people. One of those people who grew up with Michael Jackson; whose first album was Thriller; who thought he was the bee's knees when I was ten. I still remember how my mother would get me out of bed in the morning by putting on "Wanna Be Startin' Something" when I was in preschool. (I had that awesome LP with the foldout shot of MJ with the tiger cub on his lap.) I still remember staying up late in the 8th grade to watch his concert broadcast on HBO. I owned the Moonwalker video. (And the Moonwalker book, too, bitches. And I've still got both.) I consider the video for "Smooth Criminal" to be the best dance video of all time. I dug the Alien Ant Farm cover of that song, because I perceived the heartfelt tribute inherent in it. Those guys were from my generation.
So, I have to admit that I was really upset to hear he had died.
But not for the reasons you might imagine.
I'm not interested in the laundry list of dirty secrets from the man's life. I don't know (and will never know) his real story. I can only say what I think about him. I think he was a deeply disturbed man, and I think his life was a great pity. However, despite his many troubles and crazinesses, he gifted to the world a rich musical and artistic legacy. And I am thankful for that.
And I mourn the loss of Michael Jackson. He was a pillar of my childhood, and losing him hurt. But I have been mourning the loss of Michael Jackson for years and years now. Because we all lost him long ago, and perhaps the thing that I consider saddest about all of this is that only now have most people finally noticed that heartbreaking loss.
I pray for his family. I pray for his friends and loved ones. I pray for all the future lost causes. I pray that someone will realize what is happening to them before it's too late.
You rocked my world, MJ.
Thanks for that.
I hope you're at peace now.
