Death, religion and politics tends to bring out the UGLY in people. Since the recent death of Michael Joseph Jackson, self-proclaimed King of Pop, there's been a lot of people in my online circle of friends that has been talking a lot of shit and saying a lot of ugly and negative things about MJ. Let's get some things straight before I get into the meat of my note. For every life, there is death. No one is invincible or immortal; we are all mere mortals. By mere mortals, I mean we are nothing less than mortal. Mortality is defined as the condition of being mortal, or susceptible to death; the opposite of immortality.
I have been a fan of MJ's music for as long as I can remember. My sister became a "religious" fan of MJ in her youth and when we used to live together, I would hear MJ blasting all day and night. In essence, the aura that is/was MJ was transferred to me. We would put on wax, "Thriller" and the "Off The Wall" albums that my parents bought when it first came out. I would study his songs, attempt his dance moves and listen to his voice as it changed over the years. But just as the years past, his reputation became covered in scandal. Just like any human being on earth, he who is without sin, cast the first stone! I don't think anyone who is reading this has NEVER committed a sin or done anything wrong in their eyes, the eyes of others or in the eyes of the creator. We are ALL human (even though some of ya'll act like aliens).
Humans seek to understand and influence the environment around them, trying to explain and manipulate natural phenomena through philosophy, art, science, mythology, and religion. I have always been a fan of art and music. I seek to understand it's meaning in MY life. Only MJ, the accusers and God knows what happened between them as far as the alleged molestation, groping, Jesus juice, etc. I'm not going to sit up here and say I DIDN'T wonder if those things he was accused of were really true but I will say that whatever the hell happened is not my concern. I have better things to worry about in my own life. His MUSIC overpowered my perception of who MJ was a person. As the years progressed and his physical features transformed, I really began to disengage myself in knowing more about who he was a person. The reason I did so was because some things just appear obvious to me. One key physical feature about MJ that never changed was his eyes. His eyes always spoke volumes to me about who he was and what he may have been going through. His eyes appeared to become more and more sad over the years. I gathered that he was a very lonely man, an enigma of our time. No one will EVER truly understand who MJ was but himself and God (or whatever higher power you believe in).
When MJ died on Thursday June 25, 2009 4:26pm (CST), it was hard for me to take in. My grandmother died from a heart attack in 1993 and was the final factor in the reason why my family and I decided to move back to STL. When she died of the heart attack, it took her away instantly so when I heard MJ had a heart attack that ultimately took his life, it brought back that awful day in 1993 when my grandmother died and how hurt my mom was when it happened. I held back my tears as more and more news sites confirmed his death and was immediately taken aback. MJ was 50 years old, 2 years younger than my mother. MJ was a father, a brother, an uncle and a friend to many. The same feeling I had on February 11, 2009 came back to me like a rushing river of melancholy. I was saddened and whimpered at my desk like someone just stole my puppy. Yes I cried and I am not afraid to admit I did. I was concerned about my sister who was a huge fan of his and then I began to feel sorry for his family as I listened to Jermaine's speech about his death. I am still not sure why his death touched me so. I never met the man, never seen him in concert and I don't own any of his CDs or albums but I know so much about his music.
MJ's death is a testament of the power of influence on man through music. All the people who are saying bad things about him can't tell me they didn't want a red Beat It jacket or sang/dance to any of his music when they first heard of MJ. His music was powerful. It had fans all around the WORLD passing out at his concerts, sweating like pigs, and attempting to rush the stage to get closer to him. Even when his looks changed, the power of his music didn't. Even when scandal arose, the power of his music remained unchanged. Every time I hear the album Invincible, I think about how MJ always molded to the changes of the music industry but never lost touch with the REALNESS that artists of his time kept prevalent in their songs.
"Butterflies", "Whatever Happens", "Heaven Can Wait", and "Break of Dawn" are all beautiful classics you will find on his Invincible album. He paints the picture of love being that of natural element or of a higher power. You would NEVER hear MJ put on a song about making love all violently and raunchy-like like how these new artists portray it to be. Music is prevalent in my life and dear to my heart. So maybe that's why MJ's death touched me so. He was about to make a comeback by touring all across London. His shows sold out so quickly that they added more dates to his tour. It's too bad that MJ wasn't able to do one last Hoorah before leaving this earth. His death along with the near tragedy of what happened to my father has made me further realize that tomorrow is NEVER promised to anyone. Live each day to the fullest and to the best of your abilities. Each day you live is a chance for you to make a difference in your life or in someone's life. I love my family more and more each day. I love my peeps that are close to me and I even love those who trespass against me because they make me a stronger person every day.
In closing, I am nothing short of being mortal. But I'd like to think of my life as the song "Fame" by Irene Cara. You ain't seen the best of me yet. I got more in me and you can set it free. I can catch the moon in my hands, don't you know who I am? Remember my name. I feel it coming together, people will see me and cry. I'm going to make it to heaven, light up the sky like a flame. I'm gonna live forever, baby remember my name... How many of you all know that if you was to die today or tomorrow, that you will leave behind a legacy that will emblazon your name forever in the years to come? We all may be mere mortals to one another but to me, MJ was a mere mortal who's name, legacy of music and artistic imagery will last forever.....
Heaven Couldn't Wait For You. Rest In Peace, Micheal Joseph Jackson
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