The Man in the Mirror

Moonwalker

For the last week or so I have been thinking periodically about the Michael Jackson story and the phenomenal (some might say, ridiculous) reaction to his death. Kind of hard not to think about it with the overwhelming amount of press it has received. I must say, I was a little surprised that it (the public reaction to his death) has evoked a wide range of emotions, feelings, thoughts and questions for me. Although this may not be a “typical”post today, I want to open the door on a group discussion and get your thoughts on a few issues which I believe are important, relevant and worthy of some exploration and consideration.

Some Thoughts

Without doubt, MJ was a creative genius; a unique talent that changed the face of music globally and along the way he created his own version of History; literally and metaphorically and yes, pun intended. He was truly gifted and unlike many others, he was able to harness his gift and bring something to the world that will be enjoyed for generations. I, like most people, own several MJ albums and have embarrassed myself far too many times trying to moonwalk my uncoordinated, sock-wearing self across the kitchen floor. Tragic I know. And just a little embarrassing. On hearing of his death, my immediate feelings were (1) disbelief and (2) sadness at the unnecessary loss of a life. My thoughts since have revolved largely around the way we (the collective we) seem to value and celebrate certain lives, while totally discounting or perhaps ignoring others. Consciously or not. While I feel for MJ, his family and his fans, to be completely honest I feel much more for the anonymous, faceless, nameless, poverty-stricken children who die every day and who wind up being meaningless, anonymous statistics to the majority of us. One Michael Jackson dies and we see mass hysteria, sadness and an outpouring of global sympathy, support and love. On the same day (June 25, 2009) 25,000 children died as a result of living in poverty (as they do every day of every year) and relatively speaking, very few people know, care or cry. That’s the way it seems to me anyway. Those gorgeous little kids never even got the opportunity to become successful, eccentric, famous and universally loved. Or to grow up and discover and explore their own amazing talents. Or simply… to grow up. To eat properly. To sleep in a bed. To have hope. Opportunity. If you were an alien researcher on a field trip here to observe human behaviour (of course that happens), it would be fair to conclude that some lives are more valuable than others down here on Planet Earth.

Some Things to Think About

1. Despite MJ’s wealth, immense popularity, extraordinary achievements, amazing talent, undeniable power, influence, fame and commercial success (what most performers seek), he appeared to be eternally lost, miserable, conflicted, dysfunctional and lonely… well, to me the distant observer living outside the MJ fishbowl anyway. 

2. The other day I was listening to the news on the radio in the car. It was a few days after his death and the five-minute news bulletin started out with the obligatory four minutes of MJ updates and then, almost as an after thought (seemed like at the time), the newsreader said something like… “in further news, it appears that 154 people have been killed in a plane crash off the east coast of Africa… and now let’s take a look at today’s weather”. I was stunned at how unimportant 154 lives could be. Clearly some lives are more valuable than others. Or so the news folk would have us believe. Or perhaps that’s what we believe?

Some Questions

I do not want today’s post to turn into an emotional, ugly, pointless debate among MJ fans/haters but I do welcome intelligent, meaningful, thoughtful and respectful opinons and thoughts. I’m happy to be taught. After all, the point of the article is not really about MJ but rather how we value life and lives. We don’t need to agree (thankfully), just listen, consider and hopefully learn. Keep in mind that there isn’t necessarily a “right or wrong” on this issue, perhaps just a differing of philosophies and beliefs. So…

1. What are your thoughts about the way we worship people and deify performers (as we do in our culture)?

2. Are some lives more valuable than others?

3. Was the response to MJ’s death appropriate? Excessive? Neither?

4. Your fave MJ song? (Mine? Smooth Criminal – awesome film clip).

Love your thoughts on this stuff; even you non-commenting types…  I will send a DVD (yep, anywhere) for the responses that rock my world.  

* Don’t forget our Melbourne Meet-up… Hey Melbournians! Don’t forget that we have a get-together this coming Saturday (July 4, 11.00 am) at Marlo’s Cafe, 268 Centre rd. Bentleigh. I’ll be the one in the corner immersed in cheesecake. Love to see you there. Even you long time lurking Scaredy-Cats…