Last night, someone likened the reaction to Michael Jackson’s death to that of Princess Diana. Shockwaves felt ‘round the world. One of those life-changing moments one will always remember, like the day John Kennedy was assassinated; the day John Lennon was murdered; the day the space shuttle Challenger evaporated right before our eyes; and, of course, September 11th. Days of infamy.
Not many years back, you couldn’t find a positive word about “Jacko” in the media. After all, the King of Pop had fallen from grace on more than one occasion, igniting controversy and prompting outright disgust from a formerly adoring public. His bizarre behavior and questionable antics made him suspect; accusations of child molestations, false imprisonment and endangerment tainted his stellar all-American good boy image. His fans felt betrayed, and those who loved him best quietly turned away while others slung arrows and mud.
Why, then, the outpouring of love and grief, now that the King is dead? Suddenly, this once much-demonized individual is, instead, deified, mourned, and remembered for his best days instead of his worst. And that’s the point.
As I sat watching Michael perform “Man in the Mirror” yesterday (having followed a YouTube link so thoughtfully passed on by a Facebook friend) I found myself smiling, being pulled in and engulfed in that mesmerizing talent that only he could bring. Yes, I thought, this is the Michael we loved. Images of chalky-white face and clown-painted lips faded away. Memories of an infant dangling over a balcony dissolved. Here was the real Michael Jackson, doing what he did best, entertaining with a passion and unmatched devotion to his craft, his public.
Death gives us a stopping point. Michael Jackson stopped being bizarre yesterday, giving his fans the opportunity to “erase” those bad years. His life took on a new image, one truncated and abridged to include mostly the good stuff. Although his true fans will still feel his struggle to survive in a world that couldn’t, wouldn’t understand him, they can now focus on that part of him that loved and adored them, without wincing at his sullied reputation of recent times.
Isn’t that how we always want to remember our lost loved ones? The good times?
Rest in peace, Michael. I hope you’ve found complete love and acceptance.