Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

It's been very difficult to stare at those four digits, 1958, because it was the same year I was born. And the more I look at it, the more I have to ask myself, what is the meaning of a life?

I realize that on the face of it, the question seems absurd because of its relationship to Michael Jackson. I didn't know the man, so what's the big deal?

But in just talking with friends and family over the past few days, I've also realized that Michael's life had a profound effect on all our lives.

So I come back to the question, what is the meaning of a life?

As I said in a previous comment, Michael's life forces me to answer these questions:

Am I erasing the effects of racism in my life?
Am I honing my skills to perfection?
Am I creating opportunities for others?

To which, I'll add one more,

Am I accepting my inner peace?

***
This will probably be the last post that I write about Michael because I truly wish that he will Rest in Peace.

1Love

He Would Dance: Michael Jackson

he would dance,
even when his frail body could no longer bear
the weight of all our fears

or when we questioned his allegiance
under the spotlight's unforgiving glare
he would dance,

his dervishes leading him into a trance
where we witnessed the joy of an answered prayer
a rapture that lifted us higher than we'd ever dream or dare,
he would dance.

---Geoffrey Philp---

***
Related Post:
"A Tribute to My Friend, Michael Jackson" by Deepak Chopra

Michael Jackson: Spirit Dancer

When I was sixteen, I hated Michael Jackson. Nearly every girl that I knew had a Michael Jackson poster on her wall. I'd enter the room and there would be Michael Jackson smiling above her bed--it should have just said, "Michael was here." Talk about a mood killer. And to top it, we were both the same age!

Still, I couldn't envy the man. Not only because he was a genius, but because I felt an affinity for him as a fellow Jehovah's Witness. And I know how a religion like that can weigh down the soul.

For Michael was born to sing, he was born to set our souls on fire--to show us how a spirit body could soar.

Year after year Michael would create great music. In Jamaica, I'd stand there at a party waiting for the moment, hoping for a slow dance when the DJ would play "Got to Be There" or "Ben." If I got that dance, things would be looking up--that is until he'd stare at me again.

I continued to listen Michael's music when he played with my hero Bob Marley in Jamaica, and when I came to Miami, hoped again that they'd play "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You" at a disco in Miami. In those early days in Miami, nobody knew about Bob Marley, so Michael became my musical pimp.

Michael's music followed me through my young adulthood, student days, college days, young married days, young fatherhood days--no road trip was ever complete without a Michael Jackson song: "It's just a Thriller" Even now when I have to get on the treadmill every morning, Michael leads me out of my stupor with "Shake Your Body Down to the Ground" or "Beat it."

Those songs, those songs. Those songs I'll never forget and which have become permanent fixtures on my iPod:

"The Way You Make Me Feel",

"Man in the Mirror"

"Dirty Diana

"PYT"

"Billie Jean"

"Rock With You."

and my favorite, "Human Nature"

But what I'll always remember is the first time I saw him on MTV and the opportunities that he created for every single R&B, hip-hop, reggae singer, …

And when he moonwalked!

And, yes, there were the dark moments in his life. He is gone now so they won't follow him into his next life.

And if anyone is still inclined to judge, listen to "Human Nature" one more time.

Rest in Peace, Brother.

***

Top Ten Michael Jackson Songs

Bob Marley and Michael Jackson in Jamaica (1)

Bob Marley and Michael Jackson in Jamaica (2)