Yesterday, I lost a piece of myself. I will not sit here and say that Michael Jackson was my entire life, but I will gladly admit that this man has shaped my life in a way that no other entertainer ever could. You see, MJ was my first love. The first man I confessed I wanted to marry. My first kiss, well, I kissed the poster of him. My first vocal instructor. The long and the short of it is, he gave birth to my artistic side. This post will list my most memorable MJ moments.
MJ- showed me fear…
Michael Jackson – Thriller (Official Music Video) – I remember the special airing of the video for “Thriller”….ok I only remember the first 5 minutes of the airing. I waited up late to watch the video, because I knew my future husband was about to make history! When the video aired, I knew I had made a big mistake. Dark woods, MJ walking with another woman, and a werewolf in the first few minutes did NOT make me a happy camper. I ended up doing what any child my age would have done when something scary came on TV, I ran out the room and slept in the bath tub.
MJ erased the color line
Back then I did not realize the racial inequality going on in the media. I had NO idea how important it was for MJ’s music videos to be played on MTV….and I have MJ to thank for that. He fought to erase the color lines in the music industry. Without him, there would be no Beyonce’ / Neyo/ Rihanna. Rap would never have made it to the mainstream. We are all much wiser thanks to MJ’s strength and endurance.
“I’ve been told over and over that black people on the cover of magazines doesn’t sell copies … Just wait. Someday those magazines are going to be begging me for an interview. Maybe I’ll give them one. And maybe I won’t.” -MJ
MJ taught me how to survive
One of the factors often over looked (and often joked about) in MJ’s life; he was a victim of abuse. Although he survived it, he never truly lived. His obsession with youth is easily connected to his lack of a childhood. His story teaches us all that we can survive abuse…and gives us a fair warning about what happens if you never truly live after leaving the pain behind. MJ embodied both the positive and negative views on the black community….but he showed us the meaning of life. Every time we play his songs, every time we utter his name in any form, and every time we express the sorrow we feel that he is gone; he lets us know he left his mark the best way he could.
Although we did not know him personally, we felt his love and give it in return…so rock out to some MJ for the rest of your life….the way you always thought you would. I am sure he will appreciate it.
I have been a few places, seen a lot of things. I have had my hands in many fields. I may have answers for you if you have questions...even if you don't.
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