Disclaimer: I need to forewarn you that this post may be controversial. Some may not like what you read, but if nothing else, I try to be honest, not too opinionated, and compassionate. So I take no responsibility for hurting your feelings or causing nostrils to flare.
Yesterday, we lost two icons in the TV/movie and pop industries. Farrah Fawcett, age 62, died of cancer. Later that day and, overshadowing Fawcett's death, Michael Jackson, age 50, died of an apparent heart attack. While any death is sad, it never fails to amaze me at how people react to the death of a pop star such as Michael Jackson. We come together, share stories and talk about the man as if he had been our best friend, our neighbor, our relative, our spouse. Quite honestly, it blows my mind. It blows my mind on many fronts, not the least of which is the media bonanza that will take place over the next several weeks, the soaring post-death record sales, and the endless pontifications about what might have caused his death and how this could have been prevented.
And then, not only will an autopsy be done on the physical body of Michael Jackson, but a much harsher, more detailed, more invasive autopsy will be done on his life, his children, his family and his "legacy." Please, people. What is it with the rich and famous that you have to latch onto and can't let go of? What is it about this whole occurrence that sends people out into the streets, bawling and saying, "Remember when?" Or ends up being the topic of conversation all morning at offices around the world. And over lunch. And over dinner.
Truthfully, and I know I'm treading on thin ice here, but what did Michael Jackson ever do for you? Indeed, it is sad when a person dies, but to respond as if we knew this man, knew the deepest secrets of his life and to simply, without really knowing him, assume he is one of the greatest people that ever lived, screams, "You're an idiot." I mean, some of you are acting like if you had a tragedy in your life, that Michael, wonderful Michael, would be there, right by your side, helping you through it and showering you with love and money until you could stand on your own two feet again. He might even pay for your therapy or for your institutionalization because you two are so close. Sheesh, maybe he'd buy you that house you dreamed of - if he'd only known how much you loved him.
Granted, he made some great music. Something that has been, and will continue to be, a part of our history. But the guy was also very very messed up. Sleeping with little children, fondling them and being involved in a world renowned lawsuit where he was charged that he molested a child cancer patient. Bad enough that he was charged with fooling around with a child - but a cancer patient to boot?
Now before you start waving your fists at me and getting out your torches, scythes and pitchforks, yes, I know it's past and over with. I agree. I do believe, however, that if this occurred at the hands of a teacher or truck driver or some other "civilian" claiming to be innocent, he/she would have been tied up and hung out to dry. Something about the celebrity clout that the entire world is willing to just let it go. Look at OJ Simpson. Well, I won't go there today. That's another huge debate for another time.
So, while we lament the loss of Jackson and flip around the channels to catch any glimpse of a face that has changed dramatically over the years and a voice that has become that of someone's mother, we ogle him, we pull his memory to our breasts lovingly and adoringly and tell him we love him. As far as I can tell, Jackson was all about Jackson and what he could get (Neverland, Lisa Marie Presley), who he could acquire and possess (children), who he could use (surrogate mothers), and who he could fool (police and the public in general).
True, I like some of his music (mostly from his younger years when he looked and sounded like a human and not an android), but I'm not going to get sucked into this hype and this mourning we do when someone we don't even know dies and we revere him like he is a god. I'll save that for Sundays when I worship a real God, thank you very much.
Copyright liamsgrandma 2009
