What a shock! It has been over 24 hours now, and I am still stunned.
Yesterday, at 2:26pm, Michael Jackson passed away. Michael's death is heartbreaking and extremely sad... another life taken way too soon. It feels as if someone very close to me has died, and I guess, in a sense, that statement probably rings true to millions of people around the world. Michael was idolized for his artistry, talent, music, dance, and pure magnetism. "Beat it" was the first music video I ever saw and "Thriller" was the first album that I ever bought. I wore t shirts adorned with sequins that read "Thriller" and t shirts with iron-on decals of Michael busting some of his unique dance moves. I made home videos lip syncing to his music, watched with utter disbelief this man introduce the moonwalk on TV for the first time at the Motown Anniversary, and I cheered on with excitement when he won an armful of Grammys. I followed Michael's career, bought his albums, sang his songs, tried to put my own spin on his dance moves, and was completely enthralled by MJ. I always stood in his corner with hopes of a comeback. I am now, and always have been a Michael Jackson fan. It is hard not to be a Michael Jackson fan when he was the fabric that made up the music, pop culture, and dance of our generation.
Michael Jackson came across to the public as a lonely figure who never really came to grips with reality, the perpetual man child. Michael lived in a spotlight his entire life and that surely puts a different spin on reality, a spin that the likes of very few will ever know or feel. There are many unknowns surrounding the life and times of Michael Jackson, but there is one truth that no one can deny - Michael Jackson was a pioneer in the music industry. He was a star, unparalleled. Michael touched lives in ways that is hard to comprehend. He paved the way for many artists, and he opened the doors to many genres of music, all the while breaking down barriers on race, and using his influence to help the world in their suffering. We ARE the world. Each and every one of us are unique and gifted, but no one tapped into that uniqueness and put it on display to the world quite like Michael Jackson. His star will always shine bright.
I don't believe anyone, whether you were a fan or a distraught fan of Michael Jackson was prepared for his passing yesterday. He defined a moment and time in our existence and it feels as if part of us has died. I hope his legacy will be shrouded in honor, respect, and dignity for the contributions he made as an artist. May Michael find peace in death that he never found in life.
RIP KING OF POP, you will be missed.
