World Day: Michael Jackson’s Eternal Legacy and the Reason for His Death
by Demetrius D. Walker
Many of my friends have asked me why I waited so long to post an article on my childhood hero Michael Jackson. The truth is, until today I didn’t know how to absorb the news. Every time I tried to sit down and write how I felt about Michael’s passing, I became too overwraught with tender childhood recollections of watching Moonwalker. I would think back to begging my parents for a shiny, red zipper jacket or reminisce on singing “Beat It” completely wrong (you couldn’t tell me the hook of that song wasn’t “Beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it, beat-a-beat-a-beat-a-beat it!”). I’m sure most 80s babies will agree when I confess that my fondest memories of that entire decade all center around the phenomenon that was Michael Jackson.
So when my phone went nuts with Tweets, Facebook updates, and text messages claiming MJ’s death last Thursday, I was in disbelief. Michael Jackson can’t die, he’s not like the rest of us human beings I figured. As TMZ persisted that Michael was indeed gone, I argued with friends and family saying I would not believe the news until CNN and other major networks confirmed his death. In the 45 minute window that it took for that to occur, I was completely certain that Mike was just in a coma and he would bounce back from his ailment like the true superhuman he was. Then came the report from CBS News: “Michael Jackson is indeed confirmed dead in Los Angeles.” My heart sunk into my stomach, as it miraculously rained in Houston for the first time in 40 days. I walked outside and felt the tears of every Michael Jackson fan on Earth.
Truth be told, I had lost some of my childhood enthusiasm for MJ over the course of the last decade. I never thought he was guilty of the child molestation charges levied against him, but I was angry with him for allowing there to be any doubt that the accusations were true. “Why couldn’t he just stop inviting these kids to sleepover” I pondered. It frustrated me that Mike would leave himself open to speculation. Therefore, I allowed the media circus surrounding that situation to diminish my admiration for the world’s greatest entertainer.
Despite my reservations about Michael’s naiveté, I will be forever indebted to him for making me a dreamer. Seeing Michael Jackson conquer the whole planet, traveling from country to country causing people to pass out from his mere presence, I felt capable of doing ANYTHING. As a young black boy growing up in homicide central, East New York, I never felt limited in my ability to effectively change the world. I owe this ambition to MJ, the celebrity I most idolized.
As I grew older and started to actually understand the substance in the lyrics I regurgitated as a child, I realized that Mike was one of history’s biggest social activists. Check out this website to find out more about it. Michael Jackson brought much needed attention to the issues of domestic violence, world hunger, poverty, and racism. From his domineering platform as Earth’s biggest pop star, Michael preached love in songs that still resonate from Brooklyn to Tokyo. Watching his memorial service today at the Staples Center, it became painfully obvious that this man has influenced more people than any other human being that has ever lived (except perhaps Jesus, Muhammad, and Buddha). Not only has he influenced billions of people, Michael Jackson has united Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and Hindus with his gift of song. I wish there was a way to quantify the number of smiles and tears (of joy and sorrow) that this one man has brought.
I’m a firm believer that all things happen for a reason. For the past week people have been scrambling to grasp why Michael Jackson is gone. I even toiled with the idea that his death was senseless. After watching the memorial service, the purpose of Michael’s death became painfully apparent to me. Michael Jackson died so that his legacy would be enhanced at a time when the planet Earth needs it most. His death proves that we can get along with different nationalities, races, countries, and cultures to exemplify the greatest human emotion of all – LOVE. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D – Houston) mentioned that a bill has been introduced in Congress to recognize Michael’s contributions to the United States. While I admire Lee’s effort, I feel this is too small of a measure to truly honor Michael Jackson’s legacy. Therefore, I call for a U.N. resolution to install We Are the World / Heal The World Day as a global holiday. I envision World Day as a time for everyone to examine the issue of social equality. It would be a day similar to Christmas, except for the fact that people would give gifts to those whom they’ve never met and need it the most. This is the true legacy of Michael Jackson the Humanitarian. I close with this:
There’s a place in
Your heart
And I know that it is love
And this place could
Be much
Brighter than tomorrow
And if you really try
You’ll find there’s no need
To cry
In this place you’ll feel
There’s no hurt or sorrowThere are ways
To get there
If you care enough
For the living
Make a little space
Make a better place…Heal the world
Make it a better place
For you and for me
And the entire human race
There are people dying
If you care enough
For the living
Make a better place
For you and for meHeal The World – Michael Jackson, The Greatest Entertatiner To Ever Live
About the Author: 
This is so well written and so moving. I honestly can’t say any more because the piece is so well written and needs no reply to confirm that it makes its point.
Truly touched by your entry, and no one could have put it in better terms. Youve been able to scribe the very emotions I feel as well but wouldnt find the words food.
Nice job ending with Heal the World – one of my all time favs
I want to thank you for your kind, honest, sober words about Michael. The world truly didn’t know what it had. He was pure at heart. I believe that. You spoke of his naivety, and I agree with that choice of words. He was naive, because of his pure heart. He trusted too easily, which is why so many snakes surrounded him.
I won’t post a novel about how I feel, but I will say this- your FAIR words have touched my heart, and I can never thank you enough. We should all continue his legacy, and do our best to HEAL THE WORLD. Michael started something- we should all finish it.
-Sari
What a beautiful tribute to The Man. It’s been nearly 8 months now, and it still doesn’t seem real. Never has the passing of any celebrity impacted me the way his has. I didn’t know him, but like many others who grew up with him it kind of felt like I did.
It’s beyond my scope of comprehension how he maintained such dignity and integrity given what he had to endure on a daily basis at the hands of the media. He loved, and he continued to love, despite it all.
Though there’s no doubt that Conrad Murray fired the shot heard ’round the world, and as such should be held accountable, the media had used Michael for target practice for years. They have accountability, too, and it starts with Martin Bashir and Diane Dimond. Perhaps there would have been no need for Murray’s services had the media acted with integrity and the journalistic ethics they speak of but chose to ignore in their pursuit of personal recognition at the expense of Michael Jackson.
If you’re inclined, I hope you’ll visit http://dearconradmurray.com and contribute any thoughts you might have on the case.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
L.O.V.E.
Thank you for your tribute to the man who, imo, was the greatest entertainer in the world. He was also a humanitarian whose efforts have often been ignored. His legacy should be just that;one of a great entertainer and extraordinary humanitarian, but with the false allegations that many believe hanging around, there will always be that cloud of doubt. Your vote of confidence regarding that is much appreciated. I must say this, MJ, again, imo, did not stop the sleepovers because he knew that he was not doing anything wrong. Some will argue with me about that but that’s their issue. He would not have harmed any children especially since he felt it was his responsibility to protect them.
Thanks for sharing your tribute to Michael Jackson. It’s very well written!
Like you, I was angry that Michael didn’t do more to defend himself and remove any doubts in the public’s eyes, because I truly believe that he was innocent of all allegations. I couldn’t understand why he didn’t open more up, so everyone could see that he wasn’t the weird person, media claimed him to be. But I now understand that Michael was only human. He was hurt and betrayed by many who did it for fortune and fame like Bashir. I finally understood after his death, that Michael was true to himself and didn’t want to change his ways just to satisfy the public or the media. I totally respect him for that. He had the guts to be Michael Jackson no matter what he had to go through.
Beautiful. I’d just like to add that MJ exceeds the qualifications for and is more than deserving of a Congressional Gold Medal in both the Entertainment and Humanitarianism catagories.
…the recipient shall have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient’s field long after the achievement; the achievements were performed in the recipient’s field of endeavor,
and…represent either a lifetime of continuous superior achievements or a single achievement so significant that the recipient is recognized and acclaimed by others in the same field, as evidenced by the recipient having received the highest honors in the field.
We all know why he is being denied this recognition. While acquitted on all charges, he was convicted by the court of public opinion fueled by salcious Medialoid reporting.
PS. It wasn’t often that a fan asked what they could do for him, but to this fan MJ requested that people push for an international Children’s Day- CHERISH THE CHILD DAY. At 3:40
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=280ZE0y_Wyo&NR=1
I just found this article through a friend. I was more than happy to read it. I am a Michael Jackson fan from the time he was a little boy to the day of his death and still. It was a very well written article and captured Michael’s life and his celelbritism. He was a giving and loving human being. My friendsand I asked the question why, why now? He had more to do but Michael had accomplished so much in his lifetime and only God knews the answer to this burning question. I love him more than life itself and he wanted to show that sense of love to every human on the planet. He went through his trials and tribualtions and it got to him but he got up licked his wounds and continue on to do what he loved best, perform and make people happy. He was the essence of love and made you want to love him no matter what. He will live on forever and will remain in my heart until the end of time.
Thank you
Well done. It explained the Michael I knew from a little boy to the man he became. He suffered a troubled childhood but overcame that through his music and his songs. He loved life and he loved period. He was a creative and sensitive man. He hated to see anyone suffer and did whatever he could do to ease the pain and suffering of others. He made us look at how we are treating this earth and to do something about it before we destroy it completely with no way of fixing it. I love him now and always. He made us look at ourselves as inhabitants of the planet and how we treat or mistreat each other. He was on a mission and now his mission is complete, or is it. Why he left us, that is God’s place to answer. When I get to heaven I will see him and ask him that burning question, why? This was a good man and ambassador of love and humanity. I will love him until the day I die but will enjoy his gifts always. I love you Michael, you were the best.
I really miss Michael Jackson. He is truly the greatest pop singer of the century. Farewell king of pop..
there is no doubt that Michael Jackson is the best ever pop music artist of the Centruy:~;
Poor Jackson !. You shall be not forgotten forever. A real king of pop.
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