Is Michael Jackson Worth More Dead Than Alive?

When I learned that, the incomparable Musical genius Michael Jackson had succumbed to cardiac arrest at age fifty, I booted up my computer to read about what others had to say about the sad occurrence. Of course I prepared myself for the ignorant, tabloid-type stuff that I knew I would come across. After all, I grew up a witness to the cultural American power structure’s constant, crafty and, blatant abuse of the media: “Jacko’s Diabolical Hoax: He’s Alive!” “Jacko Hired Cryostasis Expert, freezes body & CHEATS Death!” Another disgusting headline may have blazed, “WACKO JACKO DEFIED RACE AND GENDER NOW DEATH”. I would have been surprised had there only been tasteful, informative and respectful articles detailing Michael’s death. I mean let’s face it; the media was an endless supply of cruel, insensitive and trashy publishing during Michael’s life. And as undaunted as I was by the smut and stupidity of some stuff that I actually did find, there was one article that did create a rise within me and, therefore, inspired this blog. The article’s headline trumpeted: “Is Michael Jackson Worth More Dead than Alive?” Almost everyone had theories and opinions about The Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky Scandal or the O.J. Simpson verdict and, so surely; almost every American has an opinion about Michael Jackson, the way he lived and especially the way he died. But the primary purpose of this article is to inquire: who among us could determine the worth of such a whimsical, modern-day Peter Pan who, while living among us suffered a self- defined oppression and subjugation during his youth so devastating that, the psychological ramifications only served to increase his eccentricity magnifying further his mysterious persona inciting intrigue and provoking speculation in the minds of his fans and the media alike. How far will the media go and to what lengths will they go to create strange stories designed to fuel and ignite further the public’s eagerness to understand the enigma that is Michael? As long as there is an audience for distortion, obscurity, baseless and slanderous allegations sensationalized on air and on paper, the ignorance will continue unabated. Consequently, I put forth this challenge here and now: Let that individual come forth who can define for the world the exact worth of the man/boy who, through his enchanting and powerful music touched vulnerable places inside the hearts and minds of his fans evoking deep emotions, inspiring hope in people the world over. Calculate if you can the worth of this “pinnacle” of the entertainment world who said in song that he was, “Starting with the man in the Mirror . . . asking him to change his ways”. How much for the brilliant star who, even as a child taught us that love was, “easy as 123” and reminded us that, “We are the ones who make a brighter day so let’s start giving”. Those who knew nothing of God’s love; those who would never, for whatever reasons step into a church, synagogue or mosque learned through the ministry of Michael’s lyrics that, “We are all a part of God’s great big family, and the truth you know [is] love is all we need!” And so, as one of Michael’s most loyal fans, and as an American dedicated to free thought through creative expression, and as a deeply flawed and vulnerable human being who, both confronts and explores my own shortcomings with no desire to disparage the character or reputation of another in order to assuage any feelings of inadequacy that may arise within as a result of my very human defects; I choose to believe Michael’s words. I choose to embrace his creativity, uniqueness and his sensitivity. I choose to respect that he was as human and, therefore, as deeply broken as I am. I recognize that my skeletons and other sources of shame and guilt can be cloaked or disclosed at my command while Michael, as a celebrity, never had that luxury. As I allow myself the luxury of loving Michael without judging him, without analyzing him, I feel the freedom that can only be derived from liberation. I believe my fellow proletariats that it is only when we as a nation begin to grasp the concept that there is nothing to fear in people, places or things foreign and mysterious to us, that we will have reached the true greatness that Americans boast about through song and literature today. A great entity does not oppress, stomp-out or subjugate that which it fears—it welcomes, explores, and embraces it. This approach can only serve to expand an already powerful center with knowledge, courage and pride. These admirable attributes, like the incomparable, late, Michael Jackson, phenomenal entertainer and staunch humanitarian are priceless and cannot be assessed by such means used by Fortune 500 and other meaningless labeling and assessment-genres.