FREE 2 SPEAK

June 25, 2009, I was interrupted from my regular ease with the notification that The King of Pop, Michael Jackson had escaped this life and passed on to another one.  He's gone.  The originator of Thriller, one of my all time favorite albums was no longer here, on earth, to tantalize us with his brilliance.

Sure, MJ, had his imperfections....who doesn't?  One of them struck me with such certainty that it tore me away from the artists/singer/performer/genuis.  He was accused many times of having improper relations with young boys.  How filthy!  I couldn't bring myself to see pass this enough to consider myself in favor of the "Man in the Mirror".  I was hurt by the allegations and disappointed because I felt that it could actually be true. 

Thinking back to the type of lifestyle he had assured me that Mr. Jackson could very well NOT be working on a full tank of gas.  The man was thrown into the public eye at the tender age of five.  From five years old until his death he was judged by the entire world; his actions, his performances, his ranch, his sisters and brothers, father and mother, everything about him - even his children's birth - became public knowledge which was open to public opinion and scrutiny.  That's not normal.  Aside from that, he was unfortunately born to a man who's focus on being rich and famous cost him his family and their private lives.  This truth to which he seems to show no remorse; not even now in the wake of his internationally famous son's death.

Had it not been for Joe Jackson's drive, determination and abuse of his children, would the world even know the Jackson Five, Janet Jackson, or even Michael Jackson?  If Joe didn't completely tear down their confidence and remove them from having a regular childhood, would Micheal Jackson have known how to take over the world with massive stage performances?  If he didn't feel the pain and suffering at the hands of his father, would he have accepted his challenge to "Heal the World" or to create the classic, "We Are the World"?  Would MJ have offered the embrace of humanity that brought all races, ages, nationalities of people together through songs....over and over again?

I tend to think not.

This is the ultimate measure of an artist.  It's an incredible feat to be able to take one's journey and turn it into an art form that brings people together.  Not many are afforded this opportunity.  Eventhough it lead to devastation in some sorts for Mike, his lack of childhood peace also contributed to his vision which inspired the entire world - positively. 

The tormented angel that he was can not be unseen.  We know more about Michael Jackson than we should have priviledge to.  Yet, we are happy to have known and shared in the experience that was the King of Pop.  I can not now focus on that which only Creator should be the judge of anyway.  Today, I am more interested in the man who made "The Wiz" one of the best all black films ever made.  I can only focus on the man who went through extremes that no one else can even fathom to have children to carry on his legacy.  The man who, although dismissed by fans, continued to offer himself to us even when we didn't care or believe in him.  He accepted that he had the power to reach millions and he used that power to make us nicer to each other and more accepting of each other's differences.  He made mistakes.  We all do.  Let the man who doesn't make mistakes; who hasn't made choices that were not favorable and caused pain and hurt to another -- you, cast the first stone.  Otherwise, let us celebrate the man who owned pop music in a way that we may never see again.  Let us focus on his contributions to humanity; his charity involvement; his love for his mother and his family; his flare and ability to have show viewers cry from happiness and pleasure and pass out from excitement.  Let us focus on the life of the King and remember him for the good work that he's done. 

I am thankful to have lived during the time of "Say, Say, Say", "Rock With You", "Bad", "Smooth Criminal", "Lady in My Life", and "Remember the Time".  There will never be another one like him; that's enough for me. 

RIP - Michael Joesph Jackson