Farewell Michael Jackson

Despite the fact this is a couple of days late, here are a few words for Michael.

When I saw the advert for this on TV last night, I almost thought I’d end up forgetting to watch it, because that’s what I’m like with events like this. I always have the intention of watching/attending them but never actually ‘get round to doing so’. So at about 6pm I sat down to watch what will probably be –hands down- one of the most watched/most moving events of the year, if not decade.
As I was pretty late in doing so (better late than never I say =)) I managed to catch the beginning of Mariah’s performance, which, if I must say so myself, was a below average Mariah performance. So much so that I swiftly had to remind myself that it’s not for her, it’s not for her fans, it’s for Michael Jackson, which I think is probably THE most important thing here. When I heard that certain stars would be performing, I half expected this to be a huge exploitation of their own talents and was more than delighted when it turned out that it actually wasn’t. Usher’s performance was amazing, Stevie’s mind-blowing and Jennifer Hudson’s spectacular but not once did I have to be reminded that it wasn’t a celebration of what they can and are able to continue delivering to us musically, but a celebration of what MICHAEL has given us and more importantly a celebration of his life. I even had to stand up and give a genuine round of applause for Little Shaheen because it wasn’t for him – it was for Michael. By the time Paris’s short but sweet speech came around, I’d probably cried about a thousand tears for Michael but nothing I’d seen tonight had been as touching as that little girl’s one line.

When it came to the speeches, I was swiftly reminded of what MY people have done and continue to do for me, in spite of all the negative publicity we constantly receive from the media and also as a result of those who fall victim to it. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee reminded me that although we may have to work that little bit harder to be accepted, it is achievable; Rev Al Sharpton’s “there was nothing strange about your daddy, what was strange was the things your daddy had to deal with” reminded me that despite all the controversy surrounding him, not once did he have a bad word to say about ANYBODY, not even those that practically dug his grave and laid the dry, wilted flowers on top, and that is something only a man as pure as himself can achieve. It reminds me that the way majority views things, the way the majority go about their lives and the ideals that the majority possess may not actually be the things that are right and the only things that matter, so thank you Michael for reminding me of this.

One of the things that stood out the most for me, was the performance with the religious symbols on the screen behind the singers. Now as many may or may not know, religion is a BIG no no for me but I can honestly say that this is one of the rare times that I’ve looked upon it positively, the reason being not ONE religion monopolised, all were seen as equal, the one thing that religion is supposed to teach and stand for, but never does – equality. So again, thank you Michael.

Many will argue that it’s wrong for this event to be broadcasted across every medium possible and that he is not the only person that should be remembered on this day, people die every day, no one knew him personally and he’s not even family to most people. Well, since when did you have to share the same blood as someone to be able to call them family? Since when did you have to know someone personally to be able to feel that they’ve made a huge impact on your life and perhaps made you a better person as a result of that? Yes other people died on these days, yes it is the anniversary of the July Bombings but what is stopping people recognising and remembering all of these things at once?
Finally, I write this with no intention of sparking a debate on what Michael did or didn’t do or whether he was innocent or guilty for whatever charges were brought against him, but what I will say is this. Noone can argue that he hasn’t or is not at this very moment bringing the world together in some way or another because whether people are saying good or bad things about him, his name is on EVERYBODY’S lips, and that is something.

Rest in Peace MJ, you will be missed by many.