I still can't believe it. Michael Jackson dead? Michael was larger than life. He was more force of nature than man. His picture hangs in the homes of royal families and it hangs in mud huts. Dead? I can't quite grasp that yet.
Still, in a certain way, Michael is very much alive. His death is real, but so is his legacy. As much as some in this society who have yet learned to relate in a positive way to people of color try, they can't tarnish his memory. Dispite the fact that he was the greatest entertainer the world has ever seen, some will try and remind you of the money problems, the drugs and the scandals. I am not trying to diminish or shrug off any of them. But the fact is, an artist is defined by his or her art. Unfortunately, the mental imbalances that make one great in one area, often makes one deficient in another. Michael was no different in that respect.
But let's keep it real. In a society that was founded on white supremacy, any person of color who rises to the heights of "worlds best" has always been targeted with unfair criticism and facts taken out of context. Racist America just simple will not allow a Black to represent the best.
As my friend Sean pointed out to me, they never let a Black stand alone at the top. If you say Tiger Woods, they say Jack Nicholas, if you say Muhummud Ali, they say Rocky Marciano.
Michael Jackson was a tragic figure not as much because of allegations against him that he was acquitted of in court, as what was done to him. And why is it that when O.J., Puffy or Michael wins in court, the media says they "got off" instead of "innocent"?
Michael Jackson was snatched from not only his childhood, but any semblance of normalcy in order to make record companies billions of dollars. He was chewed up and spit out a sick man both mentally and physically. And instead of owning it, they ridicule him.
Thankfully millions of people around the world love Michael Jackson and his legacy will be preserved by that love. He gave us so much in life and now in death, will continue to give. Many however will continue to take from him. They will exploit his memory for even more money, as Michael dances his way into heaven.
