I used to draw crowds doing the moon- walk. Granted, I was five years old and the crowd was my friends and family. And my moon walk, well, let's just say that white boys can't dance—at least not this white boy. I can remember watching the Thriller video at my neighbor's house and then asking my kindergarten teacher every single day if she'd play Thriller during the "magic carpet" hour. I was always disappointed when we got the Letter People instead.
Until I was at least 8 years old, Michael Jackson wasn't just another pop star. He was a larger than life icon, the coolest guy on the planet that every little boy wanted to emulate. By the time I was 15, Jackson was already becoming a laughing stock, with his bleached skin, child molestation allegations, and the Oprah interview where he tried to convince the world that his white skin was the result of a skin disease. It was all down hill from there. For the rest of his life, Jackson tried to regain his glory days, but he never quite got there. Then last weekend, it all ended. Jackson died a tortured soul.
Those of us that remember the height of Michael Jackson's glory—indeed he is already being called the Elvis of our generation—I think it would do us well to take a moment and reflect on how a man that achieved such spectacular success in his lifetime could delve to such depths of misery in his inner life. How could a man such as Michael Jackson be so miserable that he had to build an amusement park, bleach his skin, distort his facial features, pump his body full of pain killers, and who knows what else he did to himself that led to his early death? What can we learn from the tragedy of Michael Jackson?
Perhaps it's best to hear from the man himself. In an interview with his former spiritual advisor Rabbi Schmuley Boteach, Michael had this to say about his life:
"I am going to say something I have never said before and this is the truth. I have no reason to lie to you and God knows I am telling the truth. I think all my success and fame, and I have wanted it, I have wanted it because I wanted to be loved. That's all. That's the real truth. I wanted people to love me, truly love me, because I never really felt loved. I said I know I have an ability. Maybe if I sharpened my craft, maybe people will love me more. I just wanted to be loved because I think it is very important to be loved and to tell people that you love them and to look in their eyes and say it."
It's difficult to read these words without feeling pity on a soul so troubled and alone. On the other hand, it's easy to cast the blame for Jackson's soul-emptiness on his abusive father and unusual childhood. From the time Jackson was born, his entire life was based on having to perform to be loved. Although Jackson was adored by millions, the love that his fans gave him was based on his ability to sing and dance and entertain, not based on any intrinsic value in the man himself. It's not that Michael Jackson wasn't loved in his life. It's that his experience of love was largely the kind with strings attached. If we listen to Michael's words carefully, we'll hear the words of a man longing for unconditional love.
My parents were by no means perfect, but I always knew that their love for me was not based on academic performance, musical talent, athletic experience, or even good behavior. I knew that they loved me because I was their son. More importantly, they raised me in a Christian church that taught me that I had a Father in heaven that loved me unconditionally. I knew that in some mysterious way, the meaning of Jesus dying on the cross had to do with the fact that God's love for me had nothing to do with any kind of performance on my part. Knowing that was an anchor for me then, and it still is for me today.
As a Christian, when I look at Michael Jackson's life, I wonder how it might have turned out if Jackson had come to know the God that I have always known. How might his life had turned out if Jackson would have realized that there's a God up in heaven that loved him as he was, not as he should have been. Millions of people around the world have had terrible upbringings, but have found a spiritual anchor in the God of the Bible nonetheless. My prayer is that millions more will find the same love after reflecting on the tragedy of Michael Jackson's death. One tortured life cut short is one too many.
» left by Dr Clarence Rucker, Jr from MI (114 days 6 hours ago.)
Differently, I see Michael. I saw his talent pursuade the world to come unto him. I did not see him as the tortured and or tragic life. I was the "Motown" day.) A generation of and in this time went roaring. Some kids grew up with Michael. I remember seeing a little kid in Detroit on W. Grand Blvd., throwing footballs with other kids. I remember his Father during those times what were called discipline and or whipping your child, when they did wrong is now, child abuse now. But then, it kept them from prison, jail, and gave them a work ethic...good or bad (they would not dare curse a teacher or break in a house, or take a gun to school.) The talent I noted. Oh! we may not have the same flaws as he, but yet, we do. Different arenas of course. I cannot name many entertainers that were spotless, yet it depends on how one feels about that person. Myself, Elvis (while on drugs) could never compete and could never crossover to all audiences like a Michael Jackson. Michael is not the "King of Pop", he is the "King." No one else can touch him in our generation. The times even stated the President could not think clearly with an alcoholic brain. Which is worse? To me, he is talent of this era. I could imagine being Thomas Edison, some say: "He was on drugs and crazy for what he was trying to do. But it came out well." The drug mind of Einstein they thought was 'crazy' (mentally challenged). We have so many "Acid Rockers" breaking guitars and OD ing, authorities hate doing autopsies. Some have always said: "Genuises are mental." They stand along and weird within themselves. They even called Jesus, a lunatic, a fool...etc. However, a Godly Christian knows better because He dwelles in us. We always say: "God can use anyone He pleases to bring out the excellence in them. Well, one talent is gone. But we do know one thing of the times, NEWS are not fact finders anymore, they do not report, they are speculators. Except when in a court of law. I, myself, if I have to die, I feel for my wife and Doctor for all the medications they have to account for. I take 11 a day now. But, no mental pills. Do not worry Michael, one thing for sure, "You will rest in peace." You have accomplished the greatness within. No one knows me, however, God has made sure your name will ring. Genuises are an open book, their greatness sets them apart. Who can catch Michael? Michael, you gave your all and you have fed many mouths you've clothed many bodies, you have given many people homes, you have paid many hospital bills, you have sent many kids to college, and every time your music play, another kid will go to college or trade school. God will not forget your gifts, because He blessed you to give to others. This world is doing what it is suppose to do, Ignore the good and continue sinning. That is why we are sojourners. RIP
Life
Put in the picture me not, in doleful statistics, being is but an unfilled daydream, for the essence is lifeless that slumbers, and things are not, what they appear.
Being is true! Being is sincere! And the grave is not its aspiration, Dust we are, count it so, to dust we repeat, count it so. Dust, was not spoken of the soul, count it so.
Not delight, and not sorrowfulness, is our ordained conclusion or means, but to proceed, that every future uncovers us beyond than at present.
Drawing is time-consuming, and moment is ephemeral, and our hearts, though corpulent and valiant, motionless, like barely audible notes, are thumping interment paces to the earth. Be present, a male leader in the contention.
In the earth’s expansive meadow encounter, in the billet of subsistence, be not similar to moronic, single-minded cattle! Dependence upon no upcoming, however gratifying! Let the deceased times of yore, secrete its departed! Take action, act in the breathing current spirit within, and God in the clouds. Take heed, for God will come through the clouds of our confusion.
Lives of impressive men all remind us, we can formulate our lives uplifting and passing, leave at the back of us tracks on the sands of era. Tracks, that perchance a different, seafaring over life’s somber core, a pitiful and stranded brother, bearing in mind, shall take mind again. Give permission us, then be upbeat and responsibility with compassion for any destiny; at rest achieving, still pursuing, be taught to employment and stay.
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