Michael Jackson 1958 - 2009

If I went all prog elitist and said that MJ's music never affected me, I would be a liar and should be summarily shot on sight.  Regardless, I grew up like many US citizens (in the late 70s/80s) totally surrounded by the massive media hoopla and success that was Michael.  But I cannot deny his obvious talent.  It was evident when he was discovered as a child prodigy.  He may have even been a genius... and usually those with genius levels exhibit concurrent madness of a sort.  I think he was largely taken advantage of by his family and sort of made to be a slave (ironically- even as he strove to become more white) to the money making machine..... I don't personally think he was guilty of pedophilia, but whether or not he was acquitted, we will never know the truth.  Chances are he was molested or abused as a child and that may (in conjunction with his being famous from childhood) have contributed to his eternal child mentality.  I can't fault him for that. He was sort of innocent and very sensitive....and consequently not too aware of any sort of "objective" reality.  So in the end, he moved me as a child with his songs, some of them still move me and get my ass shakin'.  I feel that he was a victim of his own fame..... led a sad life etc. etc. 
I was roped into the memorial today and could not help but shed a tear at the outpouring and genuine collective heartbreak that was expressed.  To watch his fellow musicians and friends render crushing versions of songs, with broken voices and barely being able to hold it together.... you'd have to be really jaded and cynical to not feel it (imo).  I think most people (regardless of scandles and media portrayals) regard him as a pure and innocent beacon of love (philanthropy) and sincerity.  I cannot argue with that sentiment.  He changed pop forever and made great strides in breaking barriers for many minorities and "underdogs".  Who can't identify with that persona?  RIP

It's black, it's white, he was both, he's dead.

Slartibartfast wrote: Aragorn224 wrote: It's black, it's white, he was both, he's dead.   RIP MJ But it doesn't matter.  Ebony and ivory...

It matters to Al Sharpton. Wonder if he treats Michael's white kids with so much respect just because their dad was black.

No, that couldn't be it . . .

I wish all this carp would now just go away.

EDIT: sry, double post.

Edited by Passionist - July 09 2009 at 05:02

I don't think he was guilty of anything personally. Believe me, I know a lot about mentally unstable people.

Edited by boo boo - July 13 2009 at 10:52

Holy carp!

.

Hmm the carp pic totally vanished for some reason.  Well, enjoy the Matson tribute cartoon.  It was an amazingly huge carp.  I think that dot under "Holy carp!" is all that remains.


Edited by Slartibartfast - July 13 2009 at 16:37

Ivan_Melgar_M wrote: I honestly couldn't stand more than five minutes, the guy was almost a saint according to everybody, maybe he wasn't a pedophile, but neither a great man thinking in others before than him. Popular wisdom says "Every dead man turns into a great person as magic"....Never more accurate than here. People should remember the good characteristics of a dead man, but not lie saying he/she was almost perfect. Iván

Ultimately, unless you were there you can't really know for sure other than he was a bit weird.  I was never a serious fan and had a lot of fun making fun of him for his oddness when he was still alive.  But, all due respect for his musical accomplishments, even if it wasn't my cup of tea.

Ivan_Melgar_M wrote: I honestly couldn't stand more than five minutes, the guy was almost a saint according to everybody, maybe he wasn't a pedophile, but neither a great man thinking in others before than him. Popular wisdom says "Every dead man turns into a great person as magic"....Never more accurate than here. People should remember the good characteristics of a dead man, but not lie saying he/she was almost perfect. Iván

I agree. I respect MJ as an artist and even like many of his songs, I was never convinced about him being a pedophile either, but I hate how people like to turn everyone who dies into a saint or a martyr. I mean, a month ago nobody cared at all about him, and now it seems everybody's a fan and he was the greatest person in the world. It's not the recognition he's getting right now that he's dead what bothers me, it's the attitude of people in general and the media who don't appreciate artists (or any people) while they're still alive but when they die they completely overrate them.

Admin note -

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