Reflections of the Man in the Mirror - RIP MJ

Since birth, I have been a Michael Jackson fan.

Well, maybe not since birth.... but it has been a long time. The first CD I ever personally purchased was "Dangerous" and I jammed that CD at the tender age of 12 throughout the house driving my mother and half the neighborhood crazy. On Saturdays, which were classic "lets-clean-the-entire-house" days in our family, I would begin by placing DISC 1 of the HISTORY CD in my boombox and get to work. I was known (and you can ask my brothers) for playing Rock With You on repeat for days on in... that song remains my favorite to this day. When Michael was going through his legal troubles in 2003, one of my besties Amber and I rocked "Free Michael" Tshirts and Trucker hats in his name (wearing them to our senior farewell in our true spit in your face attitudes that we held at ML)....

I am not what you call a bandwagon MJ fan.

I have preset MJ playlists on my iTunes, and was thinking I would see a comeback concert a some point of my life.

RIP MJ.

Being an avid Twitter user, I actively pursued every media and news outlet seeking information about MJs passing. I was so surprised, so bewildered, so confused! I was in DC at the time, doing some work for the Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation when I received the news. I mean, I know the ways I have felt when family members die and this was not comparable, but I was APTLY surprised to realize that I really felt some kind of way about Michael's passing.

Since that time, I have to admit that I have been potty swirled into the never-ending coverage of "BREAKING NEWS" regarding his death. With numerous tributes, (yes I watched the BET AWARDS and yes I would call it an epic #fail), and even more news reports, I can't help but be consumed with MJ Mania at this point. However, the good news is that this whole set of circumstances has set me and 1000s of others back to his music, back to the videos, the dances, the lyrics, the remarkable musical genius of Michael Joseph Jackson.

There are a number of things I have come to realize about Michael Jackson and his relation to world.

1. There has not been a world renowned music artist that has touched the variety of political, emotional, and philosophical questions that he has: (source)

futhermore, on Thriller he spoke abt teen preganancy, gang violence, challenging the social constructs of manhood, the culture of gossip, emotional blackmail, obsession, false accusations of paternity, and belief in one’s self

2. Michael's songs spoke volumes about himself and in the very near future I am sure some over ambitious and deeply creative college student is going to publish a thesis on the lyrical analysis and psychological profile of MJ. Just look at the lyrics to "Have you seen my childhood?": (source)

Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for the world that I come from
'Cause I've been looking around
In the lost and found of my heart...
No one understands me
They view it as such strange eccentricities...
'Cause I keep kidding around
Like a child, but pardon me...

3. I honestly believe that the Michael Jackson story is a case of a real life Benjamin Button. At a very young age, Michael was forced to be very adult about his business and his work and many have criticized him later in his life (I can't believe I just said that) for having childlike tendencies. Just watch:

4. Lord Acton is credited with saying. "Absolute power corrupts absolutely." but I think in MJ terms and the phrase "Absolute FAME corrupts ABSOLUTELY" makes complete logical sense. I believe that other than Jesus, Allah, Buddah, no one else at this time is this completely famous throughout the entire world regardless of class, religious affiliation, social context or WHATEVER..that kind of fame, I am now certain is not good for any HUMAN and certainly not for 45 years of life.

5. The Truman Show was funny to watch, but seeing it play out over 45 years of time in real life is absolutely tragic. --- The Story of MJ - At least he had the first 5 years of life in innocence, right?

Lastly, I need the world to remove the title "King of Pop" from Michael Jackson. This man has contributed so MUCH to the world of music that the title does not do him nor his work any type of justice. Though Quincy Jones is one bad muthasucka.... its working with MJ that thrust him into the world of "popular music".... when you think about it, what genre of music was Michael Jackson..... quite possibly his own. He holds a patent, he owns the Beatles Collection (at least half according to Sony), he's enthroned in Africa (I can't recall the village name), he has the number one album of ALL TIME and continues to set Billboard records after his death. Elvis? Can't even shine his patent leather loafers! Michael called attention to the famine in Ethiopia, donated over $25 million dollars to the UNCF and did more humanitarian work publicized and unpublicized than most of these stars even attempt to do these days.

I know that MJ suffered tremendously in his earthly life, I just hope in my heart of hearts that he has found PEACE in his transition from this life.

FOR SOME AWESOME POSTS ABOUT MICHAEL JACKSON:
Greg Tate, The Village Voice

Phonte killed em here.

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