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What should we remember about him?

How about that he was a person, a human being, like the rest of us? Oh, and, of course, with a talent in music!

It would be easy to create a list as long as the Chinese Wall with things relating to, or about, Michael Jackson. But how much of it is real? And more importantly, how much of it really matters?

Becoming famous at an early age, well, at any age really, must put extraordinary pressure on someone's sanity. We, the public, a self-created-monster, crave just about everything there is to know about so called celebrities. We are as much in bed with the media as they are with us. We can blame them all we want, we still buy their publications devouring every scrap of so called news they throw our way. We scour every path, every route available, to learn more about "our" celebs. But I digress.

In a weird way the comings and goings of Michael Jackson's life is a representation of today's world, how we treat one another. Extreme talent is being applauded and put on a pedestal, only to be knocked down by condemning voices later in life for being different. We want an artist to stand out, be special, but we don't seem to like it when people are different.

Is it OK to pass judgment on another without truly knowing all there is know? Is it at all possible to know all there is to know unless we actually are the person in question? Obviously, this doesn't only refer to Michael Jackson, but anybody under the scrutinizing eyes of the general public.

Some of his perceived choices in life were unconventional and unusual, and I'm not referring to any trouble he might have been in over the years. But that doesn't mean we have the right to bury him in ridicule, or anyone else for that matter. Would we enjoy having our decisions and choices made in life splashed and displayed all over the news? I'm sure he's not the only one making human choices. Some might argue that he was famous, i.e. being scrutinized comes with the territory. Well, says who? Does it have to be that way? Why does a public job automatically mean everything in that person's life is up for grabs?

Hopefully we will learn something from how we as a society has responded to, and keeps responding to, situations involving celebrities.

But back to the original question. What should we remember about Michael Jackson? Well, I would say, what do we really think is important to remember?

Learn more about this author, Maria Baeck.
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