Michael Jackson remembered and celebrated

On the anniversary of Michael Jackson‘s death, world wide celebrations and events are taking place.  People are now meeting up at Forest Lawn where he is buried, in Gary, Indiana, New York, Tokyo and across the globe.

Fans are passionate about the man and his legacy and media are covering him on every medium possible.  As this all goes on, I am reminded of the feelings that arouse upon hearing the tragic news. Whether you are a fan of Michael’s, a casual observer or someone who cannot appreciate him or his legacy, you cannot deny that he was the biggest star probably ever to grace the earth.

Michael Jackson is not the first to be known simply by his name but he is probably the only one to the known by various simple version (Michael, MJ, Jackson).

To truly understand Michael’s gifts (and they were many), one has to look at the black and white footage taken of a small boy dancing as if rhythm possessed every bone in his body. He had the musical soul already of a legend much greater in years. The innocent face and sweet high pitched voice reminded you that he was not a midget but a child prodigy.

Michael was a musical genius who gave the world a volume of creative material to last forever. He was gifted, kind, creative, vain, humble, gentle, spiritual, sleepless, addicted, troubled, misunderstood, shy, reclusive and a visionary. He was a complex man who was human. He was a man child who’s public persona led to misconceptions and public unkindness.

To fully remember Michael I believe you need to see the whole not just the select parts that sometimes filter through the media, hysteria or anger. Close family and friends have acknowledged the bad along with the good and both have to be considered when remembering him.

For all his complexities, contradictions and misgivings, he was a man who truly touched those around him in a profound way. He is mourned by fans, children, family and even ex-wives in a way that is unprecedented. He made friends and enemies along the way but none can deny his impact.

I wanted to write this on the day of his anniversary not any other day even though it would mean I was not as prepared as others to publish in a split moment. I wanted this article to be as heartfelt as the 2 articles I wrote after his death. I wanted it to be as true as those articles Collective Shame about Michael Jackson and Cost of Being a Celebrity had been when my heart ached at how he had been treated during his lifetime.

Michael (and I call him that today as it is gentler) was a true genius in every sense of the word. He dared go where no one went both musically and personally. He crafted his art and revolutionized the music business that will be felt forever. More importantly, however, he changed the way we look at our personal lives. He was a man no one could figure out sexually. His preferences are still debated but many did not care. He fathered children in a mysterious way regardless of the rumours and raised his children solo under the watchful eyes of the world.

As a father, everyone who met him or was touched by him state he was remarkable. He was the world to his children and raised them alone. He set an example for men around the world to rise up to fatherhood. Pictures were captured of him with his newborn children, as they grew and as they entered young adulthood. He was seen playing, feeding, teaching, carrying them off planes, into cars, etc. He was truly a hands-on father. It will be through his children that he will be truly appreciated as he will contribute to the future.

Michael was deeply spiritual. It is evident in his music, in his charity work, in his financial giving and his words. His speeches at universities and gatherings called for love.

He is a man who has a legacy like no other. He sold more albums, video and books than any other artist both in life and death. He won more awards, appeared at more events, and graced the covers of more magazines and newspapers than anyone. In death, he caused an worldwide grieving event and caused Internet sites to crash. Everyone remembers where they were and who they were with when they heard the news.

I was writing on the Chit Chat Magazine site and happened to have the associated Twitter account opened when news came up stating he had been rushed to the hospital. I turned on CNN to hear the news as it unfolded. Reports were mixed and inaccurate as can be expected when coverage is live. It showed me, however, the power of the Internet and how it has changed how we get news and how we communicate. Michael always did change things so why would this day be any different.

I ran into Michael in Monaco as I wrote in my earlier articles Collective Shame about Michael Jackson and Cost of Being a Celebrity. I was deeply affected at how he was chased and followed. I believe that experience allowed me an appreciation for what his fishbowl life was like that many others did not understand. It allowed me over the years prior to his death to speak of him to others, including children, in kinder ways with I believe an understanding and compassion as to his rather odd behaviour. I did and still do, believe he was a man made and destroyed by fame, fortune and influences. That is not, however, to underestimate his choices but I believe he lived with the privileges, luxuries, influences and destructive forces that others cannot appreciate.

I do believe he tried to use his gifts and fortunes to help others. He put himself out there in a way that most even today do not do. He was adored, judged and invaded like no other. His life was never really his own and for that …. it is a true tragedy.

Michael will always for me conjure up images of music, grace, sweetness, innocence, sexuality and charm. He had a style unlike anyone. There really will never be another Michael Jackson. He touched the lives around the globe, was the most recognizable face on the planet and united every nationality, culture and colour with a unified message about love. His intentions I believe were good even if there is some debate about the delivery.

I watched This is It with profound sadness of what could have been. Although up for debate by some who attended those sessions and believe it did not convey a true reflection of the manipulation behind the scenes, it allowed fans to see a glimpse of creativity at work and a sweetness that many believed did not exist.

One quote in the Extras struck me so I am going to include it here. Although flawed, Michael did provide us an opportunity to believe in man’s better parts so I think it sums it up:

“He was such a caring, giving, loving creature….Once every several centuries of mankind, God sends somebody special. A wakeup call. Somebody to enlighten the people in the way to be. Somebody to excite the people. Somebody to bring people together. I think Michael was a gift from God that he sent to show people how to be, how to love. He simply was the best, the kindest. He’s simply the greatest.”

The world will celebrate Michael today. Across the globe people will be talking, singing, dancing, and moonwalking in celebration for a star, celebrity, son, father, brother and hero. His death was like no other and his life will be celebrated and remembered with unprecedented heights.

Let mankind know that Michael came and went but that he left a lasting legacy. When we pollute our planet and put profit above killing our oceans and forests that there is a better way. When we manipulate the message and kill the messenger, we do only ourselves a disservice.

As I stated before, there will NEVER be another Michael Jackson. That is the sad part of all of this but if anything can be remembered about him, it can be his own words….It’s all for L.O.V.E.