by Velma aka Shammah

Created on: June 29, 2009

Michael Jackson was, is, a child of God and that makes him our brother. I wasn't going to post to this article, because I don't know a lot of "stuff" about Michael; just some of the "stuff" I've gleaned in the papers, heard on the news. Then I sat down, and thought about him, well, here you have my thoughts about what I believe is important to be remembered about Michael Jackson, and for that matter, most of it can be applied to remembering for any human being.

Michael Jackson was a sad five year old child who never knew what it was like to be a child, play childish games, laugh and be carefree. When I think of him, I see those pictures of him with his brothers, singing and laughing and supposedly having fun. When did it turn into a sweatshop? Did the child cease to develop at age five or shortly thereafter? When did it become his mission to make others happy, others smile; and he forgot about himself?

What we should remember about Michael Jackson is that first and foremost he was as human as the rest of us. Many will say how blessed he was, how fortunate and possibly even envy the life he lived. When asking the question what we "should" remember about Michael Jackson, like I said, first and foremost that he was human and with that we know he had emotions, feelings, hopes, dreams, aspirations, needs, desires and I have no doubt, "fear", and very likely things like hate, distrust, anger, jealousy - all character attributes that each of us has or has had.

If what I should remember is what I heard, well, I believe half of what I see and none of what I hear or read. Therefore anything that I might say about my recollection of Michael Jackson will be, at best, second hand or hearsay information from the mouths and pens of others. I didn't know Michael Jackson, personally, so how can I suggest to anyone what should or should not be remembered about him in the sense of what he left behind as "his mark" to be remembered by?

Personally (for no concrete or definitive reason), I think Michael was a lost soul. He had all the material stuff of the world...just like those who have gone before him, too early in their lives: Marvin Gaye, Elvis Presley, Janice Joplin, etc. etc. All of those people, Michael included, had inner demons they wrestled with - but, because they were in the "public eye" they weren't as fortunate as you and I, in being allowed to admit they were weak, they had fears, they felt unloved and even may have assessment their lives with a question,

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>