http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,529103,00.html
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/michael.jackson/index.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090626/ap_on_en_mu/michael_jackson_appreciation_9
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/06/26/jackson.legal.woes/index.html?section=cnn_latest
I debated a lot about writing anything about Michael Jackson's passing, but the more I saw the news and talk shows discussing his life I felt compelled to voice my view. There were shows last night asking if Jackson was "Peter Pan or a Pedophile", far too many attacked his plastic surgeries, and even more focused on his bizarre lifestyle. I think many have missed the point.
Michael Jackson's life unfolded before the nation's eyes. His father, a steel mill worker, assembled the Jackson 5 and his life was placed on center stage. There have been numerous stories about his family life and his relationship with his father - if true it is a tragic story, one far too many children experience. For the fame and fortune, Michael lost any chance at a "normal" childhood. I am not making excuses, just offering a different view.
Maybe that lost childhood contributed to his lifestyle - his passion for living in a fantasy play land. Most children would love to live in a home with its own petting zoo and roller coaster. Maybe Michael was trying to capture what he lost. What is undeniable he had a place in his heart to help children. I lived in Indiana when he was helping Ryan White, he truly changed Ryan and his family's lives. He did not have to, but he chose to. I do not believe any of his outreaches were publicity stunts or anything less than someone wanting to help.
We often over look the impact our childhood experiences have on us as adults. Through our experiences we can choose to continue certain patterns we were shown or change our behaviors because of them. For example, if a person grew up never seeing affection from their parents they may demonstrate the same learned behavior towards their own children. There is another possibility, they may remember that feeling they had, the desire for affection, and use it as a driving force to ensure their children do not experience that pain or desire. Maybe Michael took a personal quest to make as many children happy as he could, maybe...
Many people are focusing on the allegations and charges that he was acquitted from - only Michael and the children know the truth of the matter. There are thousands of sites that condemned him as a pedophile, even contributing his choice of religious beliefs to be driven by this desire. So many people want to judge and condemn - what if it were done to us? What could someone accuse us of - facts or not - and destroy our lives? How would we react and how would we feel? Either way I hope he was able to make peace with God and himself - even if he was innocent there was peace to be made with having to endure the pains of trial and ensuing media circus.
I took the time to search for images of Michael on google, it was truly a sad experience. That man endured far more than I ever could. He was the punchline of so many sick and twisted jokes, doctored images, and just cruel attacks. His life shows a troubled and conflicted man, that is true, but I wonder how many of the people that attacked him actually took the time to first look at Michael as a fellow man. Did they try to understand anything about him or did they just judge him? Take the time to look at some of the images and the jokes at his expense... could you endure it? Would it make you angry? Would it draw you out of your solitude to embrace people or drive you deeper into your own isolation?
I believe Michael's death is truly tragic, no one can deny his talent as a musician and entertainer. Though I think the true tragedy is that he was widely misunderstood and it appears there were more people lined up to destroy and hurt him than to actually help him. I am not passing judgment on him, his family, or anyone else - I am simply stating an observation. Michael Jackson has died, his family, friends and fans mourn his passing, why not let him finally rest in peace. Celebrate his contributions, remember his compassion for others, and maybe reflect on your own personal Michael memory. Please do not judge him, avoid the temptation to make fun of his passing or his life, and remember he lived a life that few of us will ever understand - it is not our place to judge anyone that is God's and God's alone. I pray that Michael did find peace with God, as I do for all people.
If your loved one passed, would you want them judged and smeared across the headlines? Michael lived a different life than most of us, he was a public figure, but even public figures deserve respect. Why not focus on all the people he helped and the positive impact his life had? We need to respect his family as they grieve, they are people and they are hurting, no different than we would be if we lost a loved one. Public figures or not, they deserve our respect and compassion as our fellow man - treat them as we would want to be treated....I don't think that is asking too much.
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