Michael Jackson, 1958 - 2009

[pez]

It's scary what the media can do, really. Tabloids used to print headlines like "Jacko Wacko" and "Jacko Paedo" back when the trials happened - who cares about "innocent until proven guilty"? Now that the tabloids realised just how much the public liked him, they change their headlines to "Best Funeral for the Best Person Evar", something like that. Unfortunately for people who never took a real interest in MJ, it's hard for them to see what else was there beyond the plastic surgery and the trials.

I don't agree with what the rev said at the memorial service. I think MJ was Strange. He had Problems. There were things he did wrong because of those Problems. But I believe he was that way because of how he was treated. There was nothing wrong with him to begin with. I think lots of people are hypocrites in one way. I like Japanese rock bands, they get their eyebrows done and put on make up and nail polish, and that's fine. Others like JE, which to some people is a completely bizarre world of young guys who dress up funny and mock-kiss and feel each other up on TV, and that's fine too. And it's totally discriminating if we treated someone different because they choose to tattoo skin and dye hair and give themselves a million piercings. It is also very acceptable for women to change their chest sizes and get liposuction purely because of fashion.

But god forbid if Michael Jackson wore a mask when he went shopping, if he decided to do something to his own face!

He was a man who had done an immeasurable amount of good, but rather than remembering that and giving him the space he needed, he became the target of ridicule. Imagine being in a car accident, going home shaken up and injured, and then being yelled at for wrecking the car. And for all the years to come, you only get referred to as the one who wrecked the car.

I'm one of those who grew up with Earth Song, Heal the World and Black or White. And honestly, although my mum was the first person to tell me that there are people with different colours in the world but we're all the same, it was MJ who cemented the idea for me. He made caring cool. I'm sure lots of people have tried, but he was the one who really succeeded.

And his music and performances are really truly awesome.

And that's how I'll always remember him.

Comments

[chinawolf.livejournal.com]

Very well said.

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

♥

[elyndys.livejournal.com]

I was always one of those who thought he was just a freak, which I think in part was due to my automatic suspicion (even as a child!) of anyone or anything that's super-popular. But since his death I've read a lot more about him and I'm sorry I ever felt that way. I think it's undeniable he was eccentric and misunderstood, but he must've had such a terrible life and I dunno, it seems like he was such a gentle person that he didn't know how to deal with it. I feel really sorry for him, cos I now think he really did believe all these ideals about making the world a better place.

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

♥ I read your post. It's not your fault that you thought that way, since you had no interest in him and listened to completely different things when you grew up. And I guess by the time you paid attention, all that people said were negative things. It's something everyone can learn from, though! :)

[athena8.livejournal.com]

I agree...you can't deny that he was rather strange. Maybe the reverend didn't think it would be respectful to say that at his service, but it would've been the honest thing to say. I can't imagine what kind of life he's had over the years. I'm sure it was tumultuous and full of misunderstandings. I'm sad that this had to happen just when he was making his comeback, with the trial finally behind him.

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

Perhaps. The rev was getting a little carried away anyway!

It's good to know he had so many good friends though. All those tidbits they talked about really humanised him.

[sharona1x2.livejournal.com]

I doubt we'll ever know the whole truth about Michael. I don't believe he did the things he was accused of, so I try to remember his music and dancing instead, whenever I think about him.

He was the same age as me, and yet he always seemed so much younger for some reason.

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

It's really hard to think of him as 50 years old. The way he speaks always makes me think he's very young!

[damagepersecond.livejournal.com]

amen.

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

♥

[kedi-kedi.livejournal.com]

Very well said, you touched on everything I feel about this. I read some very bitter news articles written post ceremony by ignorant fucks who said it was a media circus to get money and taking the piss out of Paris Jackson.....

WHAT



THE



FUCK


Go die in a fire and rot in your graves, you lowest of the low assholes >(

Also,

Imagine being in a car accident, going home shaken up and injured, and then being yelled at for wrecking the car. And for all the years to come, you only get referred to as the one who wrecked the car.

THIS IS MY DAD >(

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

I obviously have no idea what really was planned, but looked to me like Paris Jackson wasn't originally going to speak, but then decided when she was on stage that she wanted to. Whatever the case, there's nothing wrong with a girl telling other people that she loved her dad. Nothing wrong.

DX

The comments US Congressman Peter King made on YouTube about MJ also makes me mad.

[kedi-kedi.livejournal.com]

I don't think it was planned either, but God love the girl who's just lost her father at such a young age and is grieving for him.

Yea you know he's a cunt, I told you ;)

Oh yeah I saw that, it makes me extremely angry too >(

[mushrooms.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this post - I think it put most of what I felt into words.

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

♥

[t0k0.livejournal.com]

Here here. Very well said. I'll drink to that.

[semishade (from livejournal.com)]

There's fanatisicm on both sides of the debate and precious little reality. It's not like anyone outside his immediate circle will ever really know if he was a good guy or not.

I've always found the younger generation of MJ fans a little hard to understand because he was really at his best in the 80s and has just been a shadow of himself ever since. I wish he'd made better choices with his life.

I think it was nice for the kids that someone said their father was okay.

[yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com]

I think it was nice for the kids that someone said their father was okay.

Definitely.

[eolo.livejournal.com]

We were commenting this in our room last night, everyone forgot his charity work and the overall message in his lyrics, at least he left his mark in the music history and I`ll cherish MJ for being such an iconic figure in my teenage years.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_pratz_/]

More often than not I think he's someone lonely, and last night "Will You Be There" sung by Jennifer Hudson underlined that for me. To most people, he's an artist, a star so bright we sometimes forgot he's only one man.