wherein i talk about michael jackson
if you’ve heard enough, just move on.
so this guy died last week. well, lots of folks died last week, really, which is pretty creepy to me, but this one guy in particular. his name was michael jackson. he did a lot of crazy things in his life, and if you were alive and aware at any point from the 1970’s through the 1990’s, you likely have some pretty awesome memories about the way he and his family revolutionized what music and performance are. seriously. if you’ve forgotten, check the internet or any of the music channels right now. he’s *everywhere*. i forgot. well, i didn’t forget, but i sort of didn’t realize that i didn’t remember until i caught glimpses of thriller, of moonwalking on billy jean, of we are the world. this man’s contribution was a beautiful thing.
lots of people also have some pretty awful memories. there was a point in his life where things definitely Got Weird. he probably did some Very Bad Things. he’s definitely done some very weird things to his body and his home. that man’s contribution was a very ugly, confusing thing.
it’s hard, when someone like that passes. there’s a balance between remembering the good and the bad that is hard to find, even for the willing. people get irritated. people feel the need to speak out for the good or the bad in the wake of so much of the other. people mock people who have strong opinions on a complete stranger. people project their own fears about death, their own views on creation and evil onto the recently deceased.
people project. i’m projecting. right now. here i go. i was going to leave it alone until i saw some of his work on television this evening and i felt truly sad, and not just irritated at some of the reactions i’ve seen.
it does not matter how you feel about him. he is dead. he cannot hear you. his family. his friends. the people that loved him through is faults. those people are still here and they are heartbroken at the loss of their loved one. even though they cannot hear our individual voices, they’re aware of reaction to his death. please, for the sake of them, consider showing some restraint when you mock his life and you mock the mourners. it is not “out of respect for the dead” it is out of respect for the living.
Comments