Michael Jackson: The world as we know it and don't know it * English with Raymond

Michael Jackson remembered

A few weeks ago Michael Jackson’s family and friends remembered and honored Michael’s life for his contribution to music and to humanity. I watched in awe as Michael’s family and friends got up one by one to speak and to show their love and care for their lost friend and family member. I cried and my friends cried when at the end of the remembrance Michael’s daughter expressed her love for her father. Along with people around the world my heart is very sad and was very sad to hear about Michael’s death which seemed to happen so suddenly and at a time of his life when he was still so young, not old.

The sickness of society

I remember clearly, about three or four years ago here in London UK, listening to local London and UK radio stations especially the commercial ones speaking bluntly their thoughts and ideas about Michael. At this time the media were covering and debating, as usual, different aspects connected to Michael’s life. I remember listening in disgust while these same radio stations interviewed and encouraged members of the public to speak badly of Michael. In the UK this is common. The media are unable to relate to somebody such as Michael who is pure in heart and true to humanity. Anyone who is different or not like them, anyone who is different or vulnerable is basically ignored or stamped on. It’s a sick world.

Out of the blue, earlier this year, 2009, it was announced that Michael would be performing and giving a long run of performances during late summer at the East London stadium. Suddenly, those same radio presenters were now praising Michael Jackson. And since money was involved and since London would be promoted and put in the spotlight, the media had changed their tune.

Love

Michael, was stamped on by those people who are unable to accept that he was truly great, truly different. He was different because his very life represents all that is creative and all that is great. He was true to humanity in every way, giving effort, time and money, always caring and loving for people in most need around the world as well as to his family, brothers and sisters and to children around the world who needed him.

Making the dream a reality

My prayers are with Michael and my heart too because he is truly a great example in the day and age in which we live today. A person does not have to be a religious person to be truly good and truly great. It’s a person’s heart that tells the full story. By coincidence at the beginning of July, just a week after hearing about Michael’s death I went with a friend to see the theatrical version of Billy Elliot here in London UK. I was uncertain about going to see this because prior to going I didn’t know about the actual story of Billy Elliot as portrayed in this theatrical production. Half way through the production the story started to make a change for the better when it became more and more clear that there is a purpose in Billy’s Elliot’s life based on creativity and believing that if a person can work hard enough and keep the dream going then the impossible can become true. This is an inspiration for all of us.

Greatness

It becomes clear, in this production that Billy Elliot is gifted; he is gifted by having a special ability to dance. Eventually, his family members and the community are forced to face up to this fact and began to see that Billy has a gift that should not be ignored. Billy, defies the odds, the odds of how those people around him including his family are only concerned about survival and not about the future, not about the future life of Billy which is in fact more important than the perceived needs of his community. Billy Elliot’s production is truly great and inspiring, it shows beyond doubt that creativity and love always win through. There is great power in love, there is great power in creativity and there is great power in belief and hope. Eventually, over a long period of time and through hard work Billy is able to prove and to show those around him that he is indeed gifted. Michael Jackson is the epiphany of such greatness because he also defied the odds to become a person who will always be loved and remembered because of his incredible gift of creativity, that millions of us have seen and his love for humanity.

(Written: 17 July 2009)