On June 25, 2009, one of greatest entertainment legends of all time passed away. We all knew where we were when we heard the news. I was busy at work when I received the simple, heavy hitting text message: Michael Jackson just died. It has been just over three months since then. So what does a post-Michael Jackson world like?
From the hardcore worshipers crying over the flowers outside Neverland ranch, to the cynics who rolled their eyes and bid the “freak show” good riddance, it is difficult to know what to think.
Well, I can certainly see why the extremes exist. Michael Jackson’s life was full of constant ups and downs, celebration and controversy. He was a child star turned super star turned philanthropist turned bizarre sideshow. Its difficult to believe this is all one person. So people are selecting what they want to remember him by. His loyal followers remember him for his music and philanthropy. The critics remember him for his child molestation charges, his abnormal lifestyle, and mysteriously translucent skin.
Being a child of the 90’s, it was difficult seeing anything positive about Michael Jackson. The first images I saw of the “King of Pop” were of him on his way to the court house or dangling his son over a four-story balcony railing.
So much of this media about Michael Jackson was negative. Why had the King fallen so far? Was he simply a bad man? I believe there is more to it than that.
Jackson stated in a 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey that his childhood was shrouded in darkness. He confessed that his father had beaten him on numerous occasions and verbally abused him during grueling rehearsal sessions. Many attribute Jackson’s antics on the Neverland Ranch to his lack of a normal childhood, that it was a desperate attempt to relive the childhood he never had. Perhaps he genuinely wanted the camaraderie of young boys, having never had any real friends when he was a boy himself. But many people were satisfied with calling him a pervert and moving on.
Few have never taken the time to get the facts straight. For example, the awful rumor that Michael purposefully bleached his skin to look “whiter”. Believe it or not, I can sympathize with MJ on this one. Both Jackson and myself suffer from a rare skin condition known as Vitiligo. Vitiligo results in the loss of pigment producing cells in the skin. In other words, loss of skin color. Of course, being extremely pale already, my vitiligo is less noticeable. However in people of darker skin, say African Americans, the effect can be devastating.
It is an extremely unfortunate condition to have when the world is putting pressure on you to look your best. I can’t say I blame Michael for layering on the makeup. I myself am terrified that the de-pigmentation will someday make its way to my neck and face. I would be horrified if anybody ever called me a freak because of my condition, or thought that I was doing it on purpose.
Right or wrong, there will always be that question mark about Michael because of the number of scandals and the manner in which he lived his life. Many say that death should be a reason to respect a bad person. And to the families whose lives he turned upside down, he will always be remembered in this way. It can’t be helped.
All I know is that the people who have chosen to remember Michael as the “freak show” have been going back and forth online ever since his death, arguing the same points over and over again. These conversations will never bring anyone any satisfaction. I much prefer seeing the comments on the fan sites. On michaeljackson.com in particular, there is a section for people to post memories. The entries are astonishing. Many describe the detailed way in which the king of pop had changed their lives. Many reminisce about their first Michael Jackson album or 45. Many simply wish him love and peace. And finally, they say thank you. Thank you for the music he brought to them.
The website also provides the anxiously awaited “This Is It” film, which will profile Jackson’s tour that was scheduled for this past summer. Exclusive behind the scenes footage will provide a rare look at Jackson as he developed, created and rehearsed his tour. The film will be out for a special two-week period beginning Wed. October 24th.
Rev. Al Sharpton, a family friend of the Jackson’s who spoke at the memorial service on July 7th, could not have summed it up better, “He put on one glove, pulled his pants up, and broke down the color curtain… it was Michael Jackson that made us sing “we are the world” and feed the hungry… he out-preformed the pessimists. Every time he got knocked down he got back up again… Michael never stopped.” What he said to Michael’s children was met with a standing ovation, “Wasn’t nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what he had to deal with, but he dealt with it anyway.”
Considering everything he went through in his life, I think the easiest judgment to pass is humanity. He was only human, and people make mistakes. I’m willing to accept that and move on. You can call it mindless celebrity worship, I call it forgiveness. And in times like these, a little forgiveness could go a long way.
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