Because Michael Jackson is Michael Jackson
By: tmhogirl (26 June 2009)
Unless you are living in another planet, you should probably know by now that Michael Jackson is dead. Even that sentence alone does not make any sense.
Yes, shit happens and we're all going to die, but as my 7 year old nephew said showing his understanding of my sister's explanation of death, but not Michael Jackson, not his hero.
Talking about heroes, how can one man touch so many generations so very profoundly? How can his death unite all of us in mourning? And true mourning? Mourning that saw my mother crying, and like many sensible people of my generation, I found myself crying, not just tears, but the loud crying as if someone close to me had died. This cross generational mourning continues with my nieces and nephews who are aged 5 to 10 crying on hearing this sad news.
As news of his cardiac arrest broke last night, I called my mother who is visiting to watch the news with me and my partner. We scanned all the news channels on Sky and the American channels on the internet for more news. As the reports said the illness was serious, I slightly prayed that this will merely be illness that will generate sympathy and love, which will remind us of what a legend this man was. I prayed that he would recover, and that this would be the break that will allow him to once again re-claim his place as the King of Pop, not that there was ever anyone threatening that throne.
But of course it wasn't to be as TMZ reported on his death. This was followed by the LA Times' reports of coma. It was almost official. But I still had hope that this surreal news was in fact not happening. And finally, we refreshed LA Times to get the update on their website we refreshed that City officials had confirmed to them that Michael Jackson's was dead. As Reuters and other networks confirmed the news from their sources, it was official. Michael Jackson has died.
I am utterly shocked at how sad his death has made me feel. I have watched people from all walks of life, black, white, young, old, male, female mourning this man who has managed to unite the whole world through his music.
I am of a generation where Michael Jackson was always part of our lives. Like many teenage girls, I even had a stage, albeit a short stage, where I was convinced that my destiny was to marry Michael Jackson.
But his life is like some fucked up Hollywood movie or one of those tragic made for TV movies, where someone suffers all the way through, and finally just before they could reclaim their life, or former glory, or be fully vindicated, they die so tragically.
Michael Jackson is, was and always will be a legend. I care not about his plastic surgeries, eccentricities, white skin, all totally irrelevant. Only Michael will ever know why he did what he did, and damn anyone who dares to judge him for that.
What I see is a kind, sensitive, loving, peaceful, giving soul, whose innocence and inner beauty was so misunderstood, mocked and haunted to death. Someone who people judged for daring to be different, for daring to be just one of a kind.
Screw those who are using his death to spread their hatred and cast judgment on a man whose life no one else but him could ever explain.
For the rest of us true fans, Michael will live forever in our hearts, soul and thoughts. His music will live forever. Because he is Michael Jackson.
Once during fans' frenzy at a Michael Jackson's concert, a very excited fan was asked why she was so crazy about Michael and what made him so special to her. Her answer all those years ago, echo in my mind like it was yesterday. Her answer perhaps not the most eloquent or articulate, sums up the uniqueness of the bright light that has ceased shining in this crap world of ours:
"Michael Jackson is Michael Jackson because Michael Jackson is Michael Jackson."
Rest in peace sweet boy. May God and his angels receive your gentle soul. Our prayers are with your children, family and friends.
Votes: 17 Log in to vote for this item, post a comment or report abuse.
See all posts by tmhogirl | Back to main life page