Michael Jackson and the Frailty of Life
I still can't believe that Michael Jackson is dead.
When I watch news reports, enjoy his over-the-top videos that now are in heavy TV rotation or talk to people about the circus that was his life and the knock-you-off-your-feet tragedy that is his death, it absolutely still feels like a dream.
Surreal. Mean. Unfair.
When Michael's songs that still make me sing along and snap my fingers grace the radio when I'm in the car, I am crooning like a mad man to "Smooth Criminal" and "Another Part of Me" and "Butterfiles," the last of which is a flat-out jam for anybody who can dance even just a lick.
How can the King of Pop be dead? Why isn't he walking around yet another mall somewhere with a throng of paparazzi capturing his every move and his three kids semi-camouflaged with those Mardi Gras-like masks covering their innocent faces.
Was he weird? Of course he was. MJ was weird and eccentric as hell. Nutty as a fruitcake and even more off the wall than his album "Off The Wall."
But Michael Jackson was a bad mother... Shut your mouth! But I'm talkin' 'bout Mike. Oh, we can dig it!
Selecting the adjective that best fits my disbelief isn't a challenging proposition when I factor in the extent to which we were generational peers. We both were born in August and about 40 miles or so apart. Michael just a few years older than me so when he and his brothers appeared on the "Ed Sullivan Show," so did I. In my mind.
When he sang lead on "ABC" and "I Want You Back," so did I. When people talked about his broad nose, they talked about mine, too. When my mother used an Afro Sheen blow out kit on my hair when I was in 8th grade, then and only then, was it as long and poufy as Michael's was all of the time -- until I started to sweat at recess. Then he kinked up like nobody's business; like a kernel of popcorn constricting in reverse.
I still can't believe that Michael Jackson is dead.
The fact that Jackson sold what is estimated to be more than 750 million albums worldwide is not a primary reason why I was a fan. I have always been taken by his obvious God-given ability, his natural and undeniable creative talent to write a song and create dances and abstract video concepts that made it clear that Michael had more talent in his pinky than most of the people we know ever had.
Was it cocky for him to label himself the "King of Pop?" Of course it was but if he wasn't, who was? And is? Who else made grown men and women swoon and made me scream like a woman in labor when he appeared in concert in 1984 just outside of Chicago. I was there with my sisters and I shrieked and stomped my foot and craned my neck like there was no tomorrow. I wasn't focused on how his physical features were changing before our eyes. I was grooving to his jams, the baselines and the hooks. I was being entertained by the world's ultimate entertainer. That's all I knew and cared to know.
The chilling reason I can't believe that Michael Jackson is dead is because his bigger-than-life life was one that seemed to defy any sort of end. Now that he's passed away, a few of my buddies and I can only talk about how death is the one appointment we all will keep. If Michael Jackson can die at an age most of us think is early -- his alleged prescription drug abuse notwithstanding -- then how afraid of dying should the rest of us be?
My buddy Gerald and I talk frequently about pursuing our goals, vacationing and other activities that make us happy and help us make others happy. We know life isn't promised and you can't get out of life alive. Michael's death just made that even clearer.
The range of emotions that have had an indelible impact on me this year is about as broad as one person can stand. When you cast your vote for the black guy running for president, and that black guy who is only one day younger than you wins, who wouldn't be as high as a kite? America has a black president and I for one just about can't stand it. Barack is my contemporary and I am him. Without the Ivy League pedigree and the dog named Bo, at least.
But then the world's greatest entertainer who made you feel so good about yourself as a young boy dies, you have to fight the feeling that a part of you died too.
I still can't believe that Michael Jackson is dead. Damn.
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great piece
Derrick, what a wonderful article. You pulled out the inner feelings of MOST of the Michael Jackson fans everywhere. You're right, Michael is an icon, and it will be a long time coming before we see ANYTHING that comes ANYWHERE CLOSE. I can't believe it either. Michael Jackson- a true force to be reconed with. You are 200% correct. "An appointment we all will keep" Couldn't have said it better. Again, Derrick thanks for an article which is very much on point. You're right. Michael Jackson is gone. I can't believe it, either. Damn.
My heart has ached for the loss of MJ and the grief his family and friends must be experiencing right now. However, as you stated--there is an appointment we must all keep and it is the one with the KING of kings. There is ONE that we must all answer to and stand before at the time of our appointment and the things that appear to be accomplishments on this earth by men ( awards, riches and accolades) are meaningless to the Creator of all man-kind. None of that is impressive to HIM because He owns the earth and EVERYTHING in the earth belongs to HIM. The best-seller of ALL times says, "What does it profit a man to gain the WHOLE world, but lose his soul. I pray that the grace of GOD permitted Michael to give his soul to the one who created him before his appointed time--for on June 25, his eternal destiny began. Let this global tragedy be a wake-up call to mankind that we ALL have an appointment that we are destined to keep and a judge before whom we will stand and the things we have done to gain man's approval or self-adoration will be futile.
It's been a week and I still can't believe it. He impacted our culture in such a way that his life and artistry will live on. As a member of the Jacksons and a solo artist he gave his all to us.
Michael Jackson."You are not alone." Not anymore. I believe you are now, the angel in heaven you sought so hard to be here on earth. You were so misunderstood, vilified, and beat upon. There was so much mockery and hatred of you, for only one reason. You"re goodness; your luminosity into the beautiful heart you believed could be in every man. You had such generosity, and tried so hard to teach others, to look into the soul. And to not judge based on color, creed or class.
But darkness, doesn"t like beauty to shine. It detracts so much from what it is trying to do. Create dark human less souls of us all. To replace the radiance that was born within all of us, by God. You spoke of nothing, but love and peace. Your light through your words, and music shone so bright. You"ve brought so much too so many, but only sought pure love for yourself. Your sensitivity brought ridicule. When all you wished most of all was to be embraced and understood.
I think what personally stood out to me most of all; was your tender nature. Envy in other people mistook that for weakness, when in reality it is strength. The force of who you were was so strong. Many people wish to have that, but could never achieve it.
We are all afforded different opportunities in life. Instead of being envious, they should have rejoiced with you, in your life.
I feel the same way. But when I see this circus of idiots asserting all this crap and disrespecting
Michael, I'm glad he's in a better place now. No matter what they say, they can't take away his accomplishments and the world will have a long, long wait before another gifted individual even comes close.
Love the humorous telling of how MJ impacted your life...
I keep asking my question over and over and possible will be the only one asking it as it doesn't seem as if anyone is grasping the real story behind the life and death of Michael Jackson...
When is the human race going to get it - that we can't f**k up the minds of our children and expect that they are going to live happy, wholesome lives as adults..
THAT my friends is the purpose of Michael Jackson's life -
save the children - we are making a mess of the species!
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