Whatever entertainment pinnacle any artist in this era hopes to accomplish, Michael Jackson did. For many people, Michael Jackson personified the social similarities and differences, while exposing our human nature’s ultimate flaw. With his music and his own life, there is no denying that the man in the mirror has taught all of us a thing or two about living, and now about dying. Some loved him, others hated him, but Michael Jackson did his part to make the world a better place for many people. Outside New York congressman Pete King who posted a YouTube video calling Michael Jackson a pervert and pedophile, the rest of the world acknowledges the exhaustive media coverage of MJ’s death, but we deal with it simply because there will never be another moment in history like this. Rep. Peter King has probably killed his chances of winning any sympathies in his Senate run in the future, but that is another story for another day.
The Staples Center and everywhere around Los Angeles is overflowing with MJ’s fans and memories and you can bet the rest of the world will be glued to their television set for what is probably the last we will all see of the MJ mystique. Of course the unprecedented media buzz will go on way into next year with the custody drama and executing his estate and assets, but today will likely be the last time we see the around the clock media coverage in full effect. I remember the last time I sat around my television set watching a funeral was in 1997 when Princess Diana died in a horrible car accident in France. No disrespect to Lady Di, MJ is big.
Today is slightly different because Michael Jackson made us all sing and dance and laughed and gave us a few what-the-&*%$ moments. In his death, the world may have to wait for another lifetime for another entertainer who transcends the color barriers (literally), cultural and geographic limitations to impact every one of us.
Aside from the obvious entertainment impact, Michael Jackson was a pioneer in economic globalization, giving us all a blueprint to market and sell any idea and philosophy to audiences who probably have no idea what we are talking about. For that reason alone, a final farewell with all the media hovering around one man’s death is not an overkill. If the US Post Office had any foresight, this will be the perfect opportunity to dish out special MJ stamps, and cash in on the action. The ’Man in the Mirror’ will forever live in our memories, his life became a ‘Thriller’, much like that of ‘Billie Jean’, and when some lauded him as ‘Bad’, ‘Dangerous’ and a ‘Smooth Criminal’, he still managed to ‘Heal the World’, with ‘Butterflies’; ‘Rock with You’ and remind all of us that ‘We are the World’.
May his soul rest in peace.
