by Barbara FeliceHowarth

Created on: June 26, 2009   Last Updated: June 28, 2009

Michael Jackson, a name everyone in the world knows unless they have been living under a rock since birth. Born in 1958 in the small blue collar town of Gary, Indiana. Who would of thought that this little bright angel would bring so much joy to the world. His first performance along with his older brothers in little bars throughout the Midwest was at age 5. Michael lit up the stage and was destined to be something greater than life itself.

Michael Jackson was the race barrier breaker of the music industry. MTV came out with music videos just as" Thriller" came out. Originally MTV was suppose to be a station for mainstream white rock and roll bands. Michael changed that and it changed the music world forever, bringing multi cultures together for the first time in history. He turned music in to full production videos that set the world on fire and put a new meaning to the word music. There was no one in this world that existed like him. He could see the future!

Michael led a mature life from the time he was 5 years old which never gave him the opportunity to act like a normal kid. He would sit quietly for hours on end next to his father Joseph during interviews and meetings without making a sound. As he grew older he resented the fact that he could not play in the yard, go to school dances or just watch cartoons on television. When he made it on his own in his teens he led a "Peter Pan" type lifestyle that had people speculating on his mental well being and motives for having children around him. These speculations put an enormous stressful existence in his life that was not good for anyone. I believe he was harmless.

While shooting a video for a Pepsi commercial, Michael's hair got on fire giving him 3rd degree burns along with a lot of pain. It was this point where his life took a turn for the worse. Some people called him weird while others called him eccentric. How could anyone live a normal life after going through so much as a youngster? This happens time and time again with child stars. This accident made him more of a recluse. There were only two things he trusted: animals and children. He believed that adults had ulterior motives to their kindness. Kids and animals can't lie so he felt more comfortable around them. I can't say I blame him because most people did want something from him.

My fear is that world wont remember him for what he had brought to the table. This man entertained us and literally gave up his life to make sure great music was heard throughout the world. Michael Jackson made sure that his music had meaning and was hopeful when it came to changing the world to be a better place. That's all he ever wanted; Michael wanted world peace, love and humanity. Michael wanted his music to be not for the white race nor the black race but for the human race. He is "The King of Pop" forever.

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