Michael Jackson
June 26th, 2009
Okay, I’m just gonna come out and say it…
When I was nine or 10-years-old, I would imagine I was Michael Jackson. I knew all of his lines and riffs from The Wiz. I borrowed, and never returned, a video tape of one of his major concert movies. I owned the “Making of The Thriller” on video tape, which I played so often that it was starting to give out on me. I came out of seeing Captain EO for the very first time at Disneyland wanting to moonwalk and “MJ kick” for the rest of the day.
Michael Jackson was *gasp*, yes, a role model to me. A guy, though really bizarre at times, unafraid to be himself. And unapologetic about it, to boot! He was a weird guy, and I felt like I was a weird kid. I identified with him for that reason.
Michael’s work will always remind me of family: my sister and I dancing and singing the routines of The Wiz. My mother watching us and laughing. Not having a care in the world because Michael’s work just took you there.
Hearing that he’s gone hurts. But the fond memories are too happy to be sad more than a few hours.
Here’s one of many favorite songs that he sang:
June 27th, 2009 at 8:48 am
You gotta take the good with the bad, Aaron. We have a similar history. The Jacksons were a staple in my household. We also took pride in them because they were former Witnesses. But when you say weird, I don’t think you’re referring to the disgusting accusations against him. I believe a lot of people are looking for the best way to remember him, but not him in his entirety. Don’t do that because it clouds your vision. It’s not what you want to remember, it’s what you need to remember. Everything.