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Michael Jackson, 1958 - 2009
Jul. 8th, 2009 11:00 amIt'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.
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.
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