The Tragedy of Michael Jackson

[robocoon]

I'm sure everyone knows it at this point, but Michael Jackson passed away this afternoon. I heard about it almost as soon as it happened, but have been out all day and unable to write. Being away for a while gave me some time to let the thoughts percolate, though. I've kept my feelings about him bottled up for several years, and I feel like if any

Comments

[canadian_beast]

Exceptionally well-written; you've articulated the thoughts I've had about Mr Jackson extremely well, and I'd say you're probably more right about the 'whys' of his public persona and behaviour than any of the pundits and commentators who have been deconstructing the poor man's life this past day and a half.

And I rather hope your words get wide circulation within furrydom- there are critics of/within it who could also stand to learn that "childlike" doesn't necessarily equal "perverted."

It is one of life's invariable ironies that it so often takes a loss for us to learn something important...

[munkyette]

I know you don't know me but a friend posted a link to your entry and I want to say thank you...I think that in a sense you may have helped Michael,I mean by helping others understand him better. If a child is robbed of their childhood it's never a good outcome. I believe he was a very talented man and have often felt sorry for him. He was finding a confront zone that would leave him free from hurt and pain. Again thsank you very much for such a wonderful and heartfelt entry:)

[shatterstripes]

I ended up watching this video of Jackson performing Smooth Criminal live. It started with his giant shadow thrown up on a sheet, dancing in that way only he could.

When the sheet came down, revealing the actual man, I started crying. I know enough of his life, enough of the things he fled from into endless practice of his art, enough of how art can become both an escape and a trap if you're not careful. And it just seemed like such a horrible blow.

I was never a fan of his stuff; I was moving away from highly-polished pop music during his heyday. But every time I've seen video of him working, I stop, and I stare. Because that man could dance. Watching him perform, even on a shitty Youtube copy of a mediocre dub of a VHS tape, is watching someone celebrate being alive.

And now he'll never do that again.

[voychael]

I've ALWAYS felt the same way about Michael. You've fleshed it out and articulated it far more then I have ever attempted.

I didn't really have a childhood either, and I soon realized that my thoughts and behavior where parallel to a lot of the social behaviors of infantilism. I surround myself with plushies and seek out nothing but joy and love from everyone. I think Michael was doing the same thing, and I resented the fact that he was accused of anything so malicious as child abuse.

[robocoon]

You and anyone else are more than welcome to post this everywhere. It seems like a lot of people are perceiving him differently because of what I wrote, and that's exactly what I want to happen. GO for it. <3