Some personal thoughts about Michael Jackson

Posted on July 3, 2009
Filed Under East meets West, Guest Columnist | 2 Comments

By Kimberly Aislinn Badgettkimberley-aislinn-badgett

The death of Michael has incurred sharply divided reactions from many, including markedly unkind. I in particular wish people would stop saying hateful things about him. The man is dead, and you, nor I, nor anyone today is his appointed judge. He gave the world everything he had and we thanked him by chewing him up and spitting him out. And yet he never became bitter; he did not resent us for withdrawing our love. Hi simply tried again and again, continuing to shower his love on those who continued to give him the appreciation that he craved so desperately. I think about Michael over the years and can’t help but feel overwhelmingly sad for what he endured, yet so moved by his unwavering devotion to those he loves.

We loved you, Michael. Something happened to you and we don’t understand it. We loved you the way you were and now we don’t recognize you any more. Where did you go? Why did you go?

Let us address briefly the elephant in the room. He settled a very damaging case, paying off a family so that they would drop their civil suit. A lot of people take that as an obvious admission of guilt. But the truth is that it does not inherently mean that and anyone who says differently is foolishly uninformed. Such an event is not admissible as evidence in any court. It cannot be denied that it raises questions about what he might be trying to protect. He may in fact be guilty of something. But he may not, and it is not for you or I to decide.

But if you must judge, then be informed. Understand that case. Understand that the boy and his mother were vehemently against pressing charges, and that criminal charges were never sought, only money. Any person talking an honest look at him, free of pretension, might simply see a sad, hurt, confused, man feeling the sting of an audience losing faith, and urgently trying to put a most painful debacle behind him as quickly as possible.

So let the man rest in peace, and let us instead finally remember what he mean to us, what he gave the world so selflessly in music, charity, idealism, and acceptance.



Comments

2 Responses to “Some personal thoughts about Michael Jackson”

  1. purna on July 4th, 2009 3:40 am

    I totally agree on this writing. We are human, and do mistakes all the time. We cannot even guarantee that if we were in his shoes we would be better, because Michael had not prepared yet for worldwide success and people seem to only take advantage of him.
    A very encouraging writing.

  2. Ziona Etzion on August 13th, 2009 1:45 am

    Do not make mistakes into being
    something heroic.

    He lived a life forced on him as
    a child.

    Yet it should have made him more
    compassionate towards others.

    He was a major talent and for that
    he is respected.

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