Singer has already served 100 hours of community service.
Jackson's Final Act: Sainthood
In death, Michael Jackson is suddenly some kind of a saint. A humanitarian. A philanthropist. A civil rights leader.
“Like our father Martin,” said Martin Luther King III before a live television audience of millions around the world at the memorial. “He was indeed a shining light.”
What a difference two weeks and sudden death can make.
While still alive, Michael Jackson was widely considered a weirdo. A presumed child molester. A pills-and-plastic surgery addict. For more than a decade, he’d been relentlessly mocked by the tabloids. He was Wacko Jacko.
He certainly seemed like something other than normal.
Now that he’s gone, he’s become someone who was “persecuted,” as Bernice King said. “An American legend,” said Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, giving a snappy salute toward his coffin.
“Maybe now,” said his brother Marlon mournfully, “they will leave you alone.”
We all know that it is unseemly to speak ill of the dead. But today’s metamorphosis of Michael Jackson was nothing short of astonishing.
The ceremony at Staples Center was an historic moment in our contemporary social and cultural history. It may have come the closest to a worldwide communal event as we have ever seen.
An unprecedented cross between a Hollywood production and a somber memorial, it was watched by fans in every language, all over the world, giving it an ineffably global quality.
Pop stars sang. A preacher spoke. The gospel choir harmonized. The Jackson brothers, who we have known since their childhood, were dressed in dark suits, yellow ties and sequined gloves on their right hands.
Jackson’s three children, finally unveiled and seen to be quite handsome if (seemingly) entirely Caucasian, sat between Jackson’s parents Katherine and Joe.
Watching the ceremony was a two-hour tour through much of American pop culture of the past 20 years, since Jackson’s life was lived on stage -- through his days as a precocious 10-year-old crooner, to his teenaged years alluded to by Brooke Shields, to his elevation to “king of pop” status.
At the same time, the event had a heartbreaking quality to it, occurring just a day before Jackson was meant to start his 50-date concert tour in London’s 02 stadium.
At the very spot where he was rehearsing 13 days ago, Jackson’s backup singers, a gospel choir and the orchestra that had rehearsed for weeks to perform with the singer instead played at his funeral.
Even the media elite seemed to be feeling regretful of having treated him so shabbily.
The oh-so-respectful tones of Katie Couric and Brian Williams, as they anchored their primetime, commercial-free coverage on Tuesday, were in sharp contrast to the mocking tones that usually accompany the words “Michael Jackson” when spoken from the anchor’s seat.
Admit it: for the past decade, we all wallowed in the weirdness of Michael Jackson when he was alive.
Now in death, he seems frail and pitiable, rather than sordid and corrupt.
Rest in peace, Michael Jackson.
Comments
mjlovehere Says
It sounds like you are very unhappy with your own life to pass such a derogatory point of view about the millions of admirers response for Michael's memorail service. It would be impossible for you to acheive anything in your whole life even one percent of what he had acheived in few hours of his normal days of life. Hope atleast your own people will have some good things to say about you when the time comes for you to leave this world. May GOD bless you.
Christine Says
I've been a fan since forever of Michael's. You can't believe what you here. He was a person that was on a level in the industry that no black man reached which made him a target of jelousy, lies, and humillitation. The man love for the world and children being misused was because his own childhood was miserable the little he had. Nobody took the time to think people lie and will do and say anything for money. Even put there children up to lie. Soon when money was paid they were never seen again or heard of. If Michael touched your child you would sale there innocence of being a child. What type of parent is that? That was not questioned not once. That screams unfit! You would put other innocent children in harms way for the profit of your pockets? But you would not have these questions on your chest for nasty lies...........
Michael Jackson was a remarkable talent that feel we never will have another like. He made music with messages trying to wake up the world that continued to sleep with ignorance. He was not meant for this world with so much hate and jelousy. I lost my favorite performer but im glad he's in peace maybe in a world that appreciates his kindness and unique soul.
Signed forever a fan
Scott Says
At the end of the day no matter how much he achieved in music and as an entertainer, in generations to come their is still going to be a lot of questions that need answers. I think unfortunately for MJ and his legacy in generations to come he may be remembered for all the wrong things.
As great as he was, it doesn't excuse him for what he did with those children, no matter how money hungry the parents were. MJ my friend rest in peace, IMO if you weren't the dodgy seedy character the world got to know you may just have ended up with the credentials to be sainted!
RIP LT. Bradshaw
http://idigibuzz.com
truthhurts Says
Like you, I was stunned by all the accolades bestowed upon MJ. Don't misunderstand me: I absolutely adored most of his music, and do acknowledge his contributions in the field of music. His accomplishments cannot be ignored.
That said, our society (or in his case, the entire world) is obviously in a state of ignorance. To assume one's greatness merely due to that person's ability to sing and dance is...well, sick. Particularly when you don't know that person at all. Who of us can truly say we knew MJ? It's quite understandable when family members and friends mourn - but someone you NEVER met? Crazy!
While my heart goes out to MJ's children, his family and true friends (it is indeed a tragedy to lose someone you love - let alone suddenly and without warning), the rest of the lunatics should simply get over it and the media should "beat it" and allow his children and family to mourn in private.
Aljorie Says
Ms Waxman I wonder if perhaps you are an unhappy person in your life to take such a venomous outlook on the Memorial service for MJ. I do hope if it is possible for someone to find some tasteful stuff to say about your *** when you meet your judgement day. You sound very hateful and your tone in your commentary has bigotted undertones (as I am finding a lot of for those non people of color who are the loudest to criticize this man).
I am quite sure you have some demons, drama and issues that plague you as an individual too. But alas since you aren't in the spotlight or worthy of any interest beyond your pathetic writings in Huffpost or you weak website no one give a care!!!
The Forgiven Says
Dear Catholic4AReason:
Thank you for doing the research ( you could not have known all that off the top of your head). I agree 100%, as many do I am certain. There was three MJs: the artist, the disturbed twisted ManChild and the lying cheating manipulator who for years took something from everyone and anyone he could because he was Michael Jackson.
He hated his siblings for doing it to him and to others simply because they were his siblings, yet he left a legacy of brokenhearts and bank accounts. He lived for years off the MJ of the 80's and on the end -- destroyed and left penniless the two people who stood by him the longest: Bill Bray and Bob Jones.
And I will never forget poor Kenneth Choi, who came to America with millions of his Country's money (Korea) with the sole purpose of bringing MJ there for a single concert. What the family didnt take of Kenneth just to get him in the room with MJ, MJ took off him with the promise of appearing. In the end, a broken defeated Kenneth was unable to return to Korea with MJ -- his one-time prominent family was treated with disgrace and the Rev Moon filed lawsuits trying to get the money back.
No one knows what happened to Kenneth...
The humanitarian MJ left many Bray, Jones and Choi's behind.
Michael Jackson Sued; Jackson Family Home May Wind Up In Hands Of Creditors In Fraud Suit
SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--
(BUSINESS WIRE)
May 9, 1996
The Los Angeles County mansion where pop star Michael Jackson grew up and his parents still reside may wind up in the hands of a Korean newspaper after the Jackson family lost a $4 million lawsuit for fraud and theft, according to attorneys for the newspaper.
Attorneys for the Segye Times of Seoul, Korea, late yesterday filed a lawsuit in Santa Barbara County Superior Court against Michael Jackson to take ownership of the home of Joseph and Katherine Jackson. The ownership is legally listed in Michael Jackson's name.
The lawsuit alleges that "Katherine, Joseph and Michael conspired to hinder, delay and defraud the Jackson parents' creditors."
The suit claims that the legal title to the family's mansion at 4641 Hayvenhurst Ave., Encino, was transferred into Michael Jackson's name, while the parents continued to reside there, so that creditors, such as the newspaper, could not collect their debts.
The lawsuit contends the Jackson family mansion actually belongs to Michael Jackson's parents and that the family is playing a "legal shell game" to keep the home from being taken from creditors, according to Edwin Bradley, an attorney for the Segye Times.
In February 1994, the newspaper's attorneys obtained a trial judgment finding that defendants Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, Jermaine Jackson and promoter Kenneth Choi, had wrongly taken concert money advanced by the Segye Times, a major Korean daily newspaper.
The judgment against the defendants was for $2 million in actual damages and $2 million in punitive damages.
The basis of the lawsuit was that the newspaper paid a $5.5 million advance for a concert by Michael Jackson and the Jackson family. The money was placed into what the newspaper believed was an escrow account. However, according to the lawsuit, the defendants took $2 million of the advance to purchase gifts and make cash payments to themselves and extended family and staff; the concert never took place.
The ownership of the Jackson family mansion has exchanged hands within the Jackson family numerous times over the past decade, according to the lawsuit, all in an attempt to keep creditors from collecting debts.
The suit alleges that Mr. and Mrs. Jackson "embarked upon a scheme and course of conduct to divest themselves of legal title of the Hayvenhurst property, while retaining the equitable and beneficial ownership" of the mansion.
In 1983, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson purportedly conveyed to their son Michael a 50 percent interest in the property, retaining the other 50 percent ownership in their name. Then, later that same year, Mr. Jackson purportedly conveyed his remaining 25 percent interest to his son.
In 1987, Mrs. Jackson purportedly deeded her remaining 25 percent interest to daughter LaToya Jackson. In 1990, Mrs. Jackson sued her daughter to return her 25 percent interest because that interest "was in jeopardy as community property and subject to loss in the event of any adverse litigation involving other family members."
In 1993, a deed was recorded in which Mrs. Jackson "who previously conveyed to (and withdraws from) LaToya Jackson, as nominee only, an undivided 25 percent interest" and then purportedly conveyed that interest to her son Michael as "nominee only."
The lawsuit seeking ownership of the Jackson family mansion for the Segye Times newspaper alleges that "in making the transfers... Katherine, Joseph and Michael agreed and knowingly and willfully conspired between themselves to hinder, delay and defraud Katherine and Joseph's creditors, including Segye, in the collection of their claims against Katherine and Joseph."
Brandy Says
Thank you for the article. I just want to say that MJ's kids look about as mixed as the kids in my family. I am all black. My neices and newphews and some 2nd cousins are mixed and look caucasian and mexican. Not at all like they're HALF black in any way. Sometimes things seem one way and are completely surprising in their truth.
MJ was a phenom, a genius and his farewell was fit for a king. Its what he deserved for all the love, joy and good times he helped us have throughout the years.
I understand there have been many other deaths and we have troops who have passed also. However please dont disregard that Michael Jackson was a legend and touched more people than anyone else for the last 3 generations. He bridged social and economic and racial barriers and gave back to kids even though the media labeled him a molester.
He also had Lupus. Look it up if you have no idea what that does to a person health wise. In the final analysis we will never know if his scripts were for real health issues or not. Only that he did his best in his life always.
Thank You.
Catholic4aReason Says
Sharon, you wrote, "The ceremony at Staples Center was an historic moment in our contemporary social and cultural history. It may have come the closest to a worldwide communal event as we have ever seen."
Really? Where were you when John Paul II died? It took 4 days for the millions of mourners who traveled to Rome from all over the world to pay their respects as they solemnly filed through St. Peter's.
And for all who need further proof about what it takes to be a saint, how about comparing MJ's life with a real saint first? John Paul II survived both Nazi and Communist occupation, survived an assassination attempt and then 4 days later offered forgiveness to his would-be killer (within 2 years he met this man in prison and personally forgive him), spoke 7 languages, had 2 doctorates, was named a Bishop at 38, wrote 14 encyclicals, 62 official apostolic letters, traveled approximately 742,000 miles on 103 pastoral visits in over 130 countries to bring the Gospel message all over the world, helped to bring down European Communism, Canonized 482 people and beatified more than 1,300, including the first lay couple (JPII canonized more saints than all his predecessors in the last 500 years combined), held 1,112 General Audiences with a presence of more than 17 million people from every part of the world, 709 other audiences and meetings with Heads of State and 241 audiences and meetings with Prime Ministers, apologized for Christians’ historic misdeeds (Galileo, wars, Inquisition, Crusades, Holocaust), broke down interfaith barriers by visiting a Jewish synagogue and a Muslim mosque (the first ever for a Pope), defended the poor, unborn, elderly and terminally ill, and was buried in a simple pine box.
Not taking away any of the good or joy that MJ has brought to millions, but if you wanna talk sainthood, let's start there...
bahiabob Says
It's really hard to be a saint when you are burning in hell. Of course Jesse, Al and Daddy Joe will find that out soon enough. Michael will be there to greet them as well.
GammySparkles Says
Well said. I do think he deserved a star studded memorial service, and most of that was really well done. But, the congressperson, and the rev. went a bit too far as usual! Actually, most of us admired his talent, his music, and felt bad for some of his tougher times.
Gammy Sparkles aka sparklestheclown
Paul Owens Says
If a bishop felt kinship with MJ, it's only because he was diddling little boys as well.
Bilwick1 Says
Saint Jacko's posthumous journey to canonization may have already started. Although he was not a Catholic, many Catholic priests have gone into mourning over him and have suggested making him a saint.
"I don't know what it was," Bishop Peter Rasty was quoted as saying, "but there was something about the guy that made us feel a certain kinship with him.".
RJ Says
In the not too distant future the coroner will release the Jackson death results.
This is when the "other shoe will drop" moment wherein balance may begin to enter the world of Michael Jackson, for his family and his friends, perhaps not for his loyal fans and for those who detest his lifestyle.
Brooks Shields was absolutely stunning in appearance! The flowers were beyond mere beauty! Papa Joe's gum chewing was "right on" for a man who insisted on arriving in all those nice black Rolls...
Mystery as to what this all means. Perhaps it is a sign for parents to be better Mothers and Fathers to that which they created, the children.
American Ceaser Says
Just to let you people know. On the same day that this entertainer died a American Officer died in combat his name was LT. Bradshaw, how strange it is that Americans turned out by the 100's of thousands to pay tribute to someone who is nothing more than a singer/dancer, while at the same time not a word was mentioned about a man and others who died in service to this country, America you are warped, sick, and down right stupid.
Lorraine Says
Sincere THANKS Sharon for your fine article!! I wrote a few of the same comments in my own blog ( http://LorraineFrantzEdwards.blogspot.com ) and said I knew I was in the minority. How encouraging to find your article!! THANKS!!
Stopthepresses@ Says
He got Jesse Jackson's speech here, http://stopthepresses2.blogspot.com/2009/07/jesses-jacksons-speech-from-...
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