Michael Jackson have touched so many hearts. Some became avid listeners, others became obsessed fans, and others look up to his music as their inspiration in life.
For one thing, I do have a story involving Michael Jackson and that was when I bought my very first MJ cassette and that was entitled “Dangerous”. I loved all the ballads and songs that dealt with humanity. I was still around the early part of my elementary years at that time. Years after, I watched an MJ concert on TV. I saw the dances, the moves and most especially the signature ones like the moonwalk. I did imitate some of those and eventually became the MJ of the class I think when I was a 5th grader. I had fun that time.
The only thing I found weird at that time was that MJ had a feminine look and a feminine voice yet everyone’s aware that his name is purely masculine. So I had an impression that he’s a homo… which is not true considering his relationships.
In the middle of the 90’s, I got a hold of Jackson 5’s Motown Christmas Special and saw the difference between the Michael of his younger years and Michael of the present… “totally different, the one’s black and the other’s bleached white”. I didn’t find out the “true” story about what caused Michael’s image change until his death.
When I started to hear and read about his controversies – i.e. the Chandlers’ lawsuit against MJ for molesting Jordan Chandler in 1993 & the 2003 Gavin Arvizo case – I started to show disgust with Michael’s personal life… At that time I was even baffled when I see his fans following him all the way to the courts.
There were suggestions that these lawsuits against Michael are just plans of money extortion but I don’t know what to believe. The media can give you too much information you don’t even know whether it’s biased or not. What does the news imply to its watchers? I lost my faith with the media (especially showbiz which I detest for the rest of my life) ever since I saw the light anyway.
Also, at still a tender age, I thought to myself that being such a big superstar might be something I don’t want to do cause it might lead me to that kind of trouble; I mean we’re talking about sexual relationships with children. Along with that though, I was also quite knowledgeable enough about how much alcohol, cigarettes and most especially drugs musicians have to take all because of the stress that they had to handle when composing or practicing and performing at their concerts. So being a popular musician is something I didn’t want to do – might as well sing or play in a church choir.
Another issue is his mental problems caused both by his career and his controversies. His addiction to prescription drugs seem to eventually become the onset of his fate as we see it now.
I do strongly feel that the actions that Michael Jackson made – true or false – should teach everyone a lesson and I definitely have kept them in mind for as long as I could live. Yet it’s not affecting my love for his music which I believe were all written, produced and performed in good intentions.
Despite all these controversies, the Guinness Book of World Records awarded MJ for contributing to the most number of charities in the whole world. I thought to myself, MJ wanted to keep giving and proving that he is the champion of the poor, the ailing – especially those who are suffering from AIDS – and the orphaned children which was true. And with the chaos he had faced with all the lawsuits, MJ was doing his best to make the people trust him and admire him. Well? Many still love him. Not just in the United States but all around the world.
As a big fan of MJ’s music, sometimes I do ask myself on the personal level… what is more important? the fact that MJ is such a successful musician through his songs? that he has become a humanitarian through his charities? or the fact that he’s a pedophile based on the 2 cases which despite the outcome (1st one settled out-of court; 2nd one acquitted MJ by the jury) still brought out the impression from the people that he has done disgusting things with children?
After his memorial service today, I’ve decided…
Michael Jackson’s personal life doesn’t concern me at all. He was a role model in his childhood, got tainted by controversy later in life, and tried to save his reputation. But he’s dead now and all that’s left is his music. I love his music, the lyrics are cool and his dances are amazing. From his childhood till his death, MJ lived a really colourful life in the music industry and that’s where I respect him the most – that’s where I found his good intentions… as people say – respect people where it’s due.
To those who remind themselves of something bad from listening to Michael Jackson’s songs, please don’t. The music is the only way for Michael to reach out his true feelings for those who listen. Let him in your heart, learn to forgive and just have fun with your life listening to him…. and then move on.
Rest in Peace Michael. Farewell and I hope you’re a better person wherever you are.
Take Care everyone!
Michael Jackson
1958 – 2009
