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

[beatnuki]

This is excellent, and llirium helped me find it. Well-written and insightful, we salute you for sharing the message!

[tracerj]

I've been saying most of this for a very long time, coming to the defence of Michael when others were perfectly willing to just throw a quick, acidic joke in there. I guess I sympathise more than I ever wanted to admit, even if I was in nowhere near the same situation.

I wanted to see him in concert at least once. Then, I heard that he was dead, and... well, I didn't quite cry, but I wanted to. (You know, the song that mght have pushed me over into it is "Stranger in Moscow", which does happen to be the one that matches the end credits to Sonic 3.)

Thanks for writing this. It's liberating to know that someone else saw him the same way. We've lost something that we just won't get back....

[robocoon]

I feel it pretty necessary to say that Stranger In Moscow is what made me finally cry after his death too. And that the sonic 3 credits song is arguably my favorite song ever, and definitely my favorite thing he's ever done. :x

[hobandboom]

Thoughtful post there, and it's what I always thought too. I heard people accuse him of things, and then it wasn't cool to be a fan any more, but I thought wait, he's just a kid himself! Those rumors were so terrible and hateful.

I can relate, I've been told to grow up many times but never made it yet. I have this puppyhood thing that I follow very much so and can see the position Michael might have been in.

I see you were in Pittsburgh for some of those posts, that's where I live!

[mlina]

A friend linked me to this post. I just wanted to say that this is a beautiful tribute and thank you for writing it.

[anonymous]

I don't have a an LJ account but my daughter showed me your blog entry.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on MJ.
I never believed the accusations and I am so saddened by his demise. I hope the media stop the dirt-digging and leave his children alone.
I grew up listening to his music and I exposed my children to his music since they were small. They are now in their teens and they are still enjoying his music.
We have lost a beautiful human being.
I hope your essay is read by as many people as possible so that parents with gifted and talented children learn from MJ's lost childhood. MJ must be happy and at peace now.

Also, I would like to ask your permission to send a link to this entry to my friends so that more people will realize how misunderstood MJ was.

[robocoon]

Thank you so much for going so far to make an anonymous comment. <3 I wish more parents were more like you rather than turning off the radio/TV when his music comes on the way that my dad does. Please share with whoever you think needs to read it. :)