The Misunderstood Man: Michael Jackson

05Jul09

In recent days, ten to be exact, I’ve been enthralled in the world of Michael Jackson. You may have noticed the number of MJ posts since his passing on June 25, 2009. There was more enlightening information about the man that I was tempted to post but decided not to so I wouldn’t bombard the blog with MJ all day. However, I felt my first written post about Mr. Jackson wasn’t enough. I have learned more about the man behind the music since that day and became more inspired and amazed by him. I also felt guilty.

He was truly misunderstood and believe me, I know what that feels like–it’s annoying, it’s hurtful and it’s frustrating. And like so many Americans, I, too, misunderstood Michael Jackson. No, I didn’t think he was a child molester. However, I didn’t rule out the possibility either. I just didn’t want to believe it for there was no true evidence from the two cases and I just didn’t want to think that he did it and fall into the media’s sensationalism.

Nevertheless, I did wonder about his seemingly bizarre behavior and his endless love for children and child-like things. I did wonder about his skin color and the ever changing structure of his face. I did ponder over his career and how much love and respect he received during the Thriller and Bad era versus the Dangerous and Invincible era. I wasn’t that excited about the comeback tour. I guess, in a sense, I wasn’t paying that much attention to Michael Jackson. I didn’t know the man at all and like I said in another post, I was not a fanatic. I only appreciated the music and the performance. The rest was up to interpretation.

Sadly, I didn’t realize how brilliant, caring and interesting this man was, and still is in spirit, until after his transition. I read and listened to a speech he did at Oxford University in 2001, which I didn’t know about until after June 25th. It was truly a raw, honest and beautiful speech. It made me laugh and cry. It also made me realize how wrong I was about him. He didn’t do anything to those kids. He couldn’t possibly harm a child. He loves children too much to ever do that. He even said in an interview that he would slit his wrists before hurting a child in any way.

Even though I’ve never fault him for those charges, I still felt extremely guilty after that speech, almost to the point of feeling slightly sick to my stomach. To be excuse of such a heinous act and to have almost everyone look at you differently, to one degree or another, must have been the most painful feeling. To be rumored of not liking who you are over and over again due to a disease that couldn’t be controlled must have been frustrating. To be constantly questioned about it and to be constantly not believed had to have been a nightmare. To be put in a situation where you are trying to do the best by these children by providing them their childhood with unconditional love and support, financial and otherwise, to only be subjected to their parents’ greed must have been heart wrenching. To be labeled as “wacko,” a “freak” and other negative names must have hurt like hell. And to know that there is a possibility that all of this was happening due to the extreme success of a talented, intelligent Black man, who outsmarted the big honchos in the music industry, made him believe that it was a conspiracy against him and rightly so.

He was not perfect at all. He had flaws. He made mistakes. To his omission, he compensated the lack of childhood in his early years by building Neverland Ranch and having friendships with children. He outbid a friend, Paul McCartney for the publishing rights of Beatles songs and might have married Lisa Marie Presley for the wrong reasons. He was addicted to painkillers at one point in his life. He also had too many unnecessary cosmetic surgeries on his nose. He said things that would be deemed questionable. He did things that most would say is odd and eccentric. He was a human being in all its complexity.

I don’t want to make him appear to be a saint but I do believe wholeheartedly that his intentions were good in his music and in his personal life. He wanted to end the mistreatment of true artists in the music business, especially Black artists. He wanted to help heal the world through an initiative of rebuilding the parent/child relationship. He spoke out against racism, injustice, police brutality, greed and other social issues that America still haven’t dealt with, through song, speeches and interviews. As one of his bodyguards said, he was the most misunderstood person in the world.

Michael said in one interview that if a lie is told over and over again, you will begin to believe it. He also said that the truth will outlive a lie. I think with his recent transition, people are finally seeing the truth and appreciating the music, the dance and the man of Michael Jackson.

And I have a funny feeling that he would forgive us all for misunderstanding him while he was here on this Earth.

R.I.P. Michael.

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Tags: Jacksons 5, June 25 2009, Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson on Sony Records and Tommy Mottola, Michael Jackson on the music industry, Michael Jackson speech in Oxford University, Michael Jackson Vitiligo, MJ

Yeah, more MJ…

01Jul09

You might’ve well expect a lot in the weeks and months to come. I’m learning more about him. Below is a cute video that I found last night. Thought I would share it for us younger fans who grew up during his Thriller/Bad era.

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Tags: Flip Wilson, King of Pop, Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson skit, MJ

MJ.

30Jun09

It hit me.

Like the old saying, I was overwhelmed by tons of bricks last night while listening to Michael Jackson’s latest album, Invincible.

I will admit; I was never a diehard fan of the King of the Pop. At least, I wasn’t as fanatical about him as I was with other artists. However, I always had respect and admiration for his stage presence and music. I didn’t realize how many memories I had with him until his death. Since his transition, it feels like it has been a rebirth of his music and the man himself.

Old performances, music videos, interviews, songs had me reminiscing and learning more about Mr. Jackson. I always knew his childhood was non-existent but I didn’t realize the details and how open he was about those details in the few interviews he did. I also learned about the artists that inspired him. I knew James Brown was one but I didn’t know about his love for Michelangelo. I just discovered that he was in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the most charitable pop star on the BET Awards show. That was never discussed in the media between the child molestation scandal and the ever growing need to know about his altered nose.

I am also realizing how many great songs he did from the Jackson 5 to Invincible. I knew the popular ones but it’s the little nuggets on the albums that have me loving MJ all over again. And the performances…well they speak for themselves.

After talking to my brother the second time about MJ, I realized how much he meant to us simply through music. It reinstated my faith in music and how magical it truly can be.

And when I hung up the phone and began to play Heaven Can Wait, I couldn’t contain myself anymore. I’ve been sorta melancholy since I learned of his passing but I didn’t cry. It was still surreal. I read and understood the words “Michael Jackson died” or “R.I.P. The King of Pop” but I didn’t feel them to be true until last night. That’s when the tears began to fall freely and I began to accept the reality of Michael Jackson that there will truly never be another performance by him on this here Earth but his music and presence will forever remain in us and hopefully passed down for generations to come.

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Tags: King of Pop, Michael Jackson

blog, life and other stuff…

25Jun09

Howdy guys!

I just wanted to give you guys an update. I have been posting on this blog and the other jiovanni project at tumblr @ jiovanni.tumblr.com. I go back and forth depending on my mood and I’ll keep both until I figure out what to do next with it.

Lately, I’ve been busy with life, learning and growing in the process but I’m never too far away to come back to my good ol’ home away from home. Also, I still don’t have my personal computer just yet so it’s a little hard to keep the updates as frequent as before but don’t worry, I will try my best to keep you guys happy by updating as much as I can on both websites.

Well that’s it for now, hope you’re having a great spring into summer time!

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I just love this band and wish to share a preview of their talent.

21Jun09

Switches – Every Second Counts

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Tags: band, Every Second Counts, good music, Lay Down The Law, Switches

Now.

11Jun09

I want to live so right that it’s right now
Forget the petty past and the futile future
Right now
The aches and pains of yesterday’s stains
Go astray
I mean right now
The current feeling of pressing these letters onto the
Computer’s paper
Right now
No ifs, ands or buts
Just us
Right now

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Tags: living in the moment, Poetry, present

I know.

29May09

I know the feeling
Even if it was just for a fleeting moment
I know that feeling
The happiest excitement one can have
In the hearts created by man

I know the feeling
Even if it was just for one night
I know that feeling
The deep contentment of one’s soothing words
In the envelope of someone’s heart

I know the feeling
Even if it was just with one person
I know that feeling
The selfless confinement of pure bliss
In the spirit of our beating hearts

I know the feeling
Even if it wasn’t in this life but a past
I know that feeling
The unspoken oddment of an ex-lover
In the breakage of a fragile heart

I know
The feeling

I know

Filed under: Poetry   |  2 Comments
Tags: Love, love poems, Relationships

This is exactly what I needed in my life today. Thanks Love Muffin!

24May09

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Tags: B Scott, grateful, Inspiration, Love Muffin

Well…it’s one year…

24May09

Wow. I’m not sure what to say except wow. I know I promised something way more exciting than a word for this one year anniversary but unfortunately or fortunately, I’m not sure what to do next with this site but I wish to take it to the next level somehow, someway. I’m just amazed that this site made it this far. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed creating this past year and I look forward to writing more and more as the years continue to whip by me. Thanks for reading.

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…

…

05May09

I want to pay attention to words again

Twist out syllables to make them unforgettable…

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