Lessons From Michael Jackson's Short Life and Sudden Death
Posted: Wednesday, July 08, 2009
by Mogama
http://www.mogama.info
Emotions about Michael Jackson are so intense on either side. Most of MJ's fans choose blind adoration of the man they call not only The King of Pop but The Greatest Entertainer Of All Time. Jackon's non-fans on the other hand are set on nailing the laundry of his flaws to the wall for all the world to never forget.
In this cross fire of emotional
outbursts we may miss the important lessons contained in the
classroom that was Michael's life and in his death. So let's step
back a little from the extremes of "Michael was a god" and
"Michael was a child molester" in the interest of learning from
the influences of this human being who spent half a century among us.
Lesson 1: No matter how gifted
your child is, let the kid grow up. It's not all good for a kid to be
plunged into stardom at age 10 or younger. Yes, the money is good,
but the pressures of the spotlight can permanently take some of the
glitter out of the young shining star. Who knows what a better, more
rounded human being MJ could have become had he been allowed by his
parents to first be a kid? Sadly, many parents continue to push their
gifted and talented kids in the same way that Daddy Jackson taskmastered
his youngsters onto the world's music stage.
Lesson 2: As vital as it is to a
child's upbringing to have a father in the home, it is better for a
child to be raised by a single mother than to have the wrong father
figure in the home. I respect the fact that Mr. Jackson was a
hardworking husband and father. And we can honor his desire to be a
disciplinarian, but intimidating and beating fragile little bodies
and minds into submission until they fine tune their singing, dancing
and other musical skills is just not the stuff that good parenting is
made of. It is not fault finding to say that Daddy Jackson may have
been singularly responsible for the bizarre personality that Michael
Jackson became.
Lesson 3: Discover yourself,
identify yourself, and accept yourself as early in life as possible.
Michael was the boy that never grew up, the black man that never fell
in love with the "man in the mirror". Much of his weirdness was
wrapped around MJ's inability to know and accept who he was. He
rejected just about everything about his blackness, except for his
musical creativity and craftiness. Then when he got the white skin,
face and nose that he so craved, he apparently didn't like the new "man in the mirror"
either. Before he could "remember the time" to learn that "it don't matter if you're
black or white", he had to "beat it", for he was already "gone too soon", never able to be black or
white.
Thus MJ lived and died "stuck in the
middle", for in the world outside of "Never Land", there is no way to be "black and white"
besides being born to a biracial couple, a privilege reserved for the likes of Barack Obama.
There are many other lessons to learn
from MJ's brief life. These three simple pointers should get many of us thinking
about how to approach the matter of managing a gifted and talented child, especially when the magic surfaces very early in the little one's life.
Hi Mogama how very true your every word. I pray pushy parent's with gifted children read this article and take heed of what you say.Keep wellKacyThanks, Kacy, for reading. I have two children that the school system has identified as "gifted and talented", so I need to heed this warning myself. ~mogama~
From my seat and when I facilitate, I always remind parents that "All Kids Are At Risk." There are no sure way of having what we call: "good Kids." It is a breath of life that can go in any direction. One thing for sure, the more you challenge the world of its so-called goodness, good or evil can exist. Kids are like arrows, they must be shot in the direction of their bent. No bent, no pain...more bent, more pain.I saw his talent pursuade the world to come unto him. I did not see him as the tortured and or tragic life. I was the "Motown" day. A generation of and in this time went roaring. Some kids grew up with Michael. I remember seeing a little kid in Detroit on W. Grand Blvd., throwing footballs with other kids. I remember his Father during those times what were called discipline and or whipping your child, when they did wrong is now, child abuse. But then, it kept them from prison, jail, and gave them a work ethic...good or bad (they would not dare curse a teacher or break in a house, curse Mom and Dad, or take a gun to school.) The talent I noted. Oh! we may not have the same flaws as he, but yet, we do. Different arenas of course. I cannot name many entertainers that were spotless, yet it depends on how one feels about that person. Myself, Elvis (while on drugs) could never compete and could never crossover to all audiences like a Michael Jackson. Michael is not the "King of Pop", he is the "King." No one else can touch him in our generation. The times even stated the President could not think clearly with an alcoholic brain. Which is worse? To me, he is talent of this era. I could imagine being Thomas Edison, some say: "He was on drugs and crazy for what he was trying to do. But it came out well." The drug mind of Einstein they thought was 'crazy' (mentally challenged). We have so many "Acid Rockers" breaking guitars and OD ing, authorities hate doing autopsies. Some have always said: "Genuises are mental." They stand along and weird within themselves. They even called Jesus, a lunatic, a fool...etc. However, a Godly Christian knows better because He dwelles in us. We always say: "God can use anyone He pleases to bring out the excellence in them. Well, one talent is gone. But we do know one thing of the times, NEWS are not fact finders anymore, they do not report, they are speculators. Except when in a court of law. I, myself, if I have to die, I feel for my wife and Doctor for all the medications they have to account for. I take 11 a day now. But, no mental pills. Do not worry Michael, one thing for sure, "You will rest in peace." You have accomplished the greatness within. No one knows me, however, God has made sure your name will ring. Genuises are an open book, their greatness sets them apart. Who can catch Michael? Michael, you gave your all and you have fed many mouths, you've clothed many bodies, you have given many people homes, you have paid many hospital bills, you have sent many kids to college, and every time your music play, another kid will go to college or trade school, and of course, you have given many kids a place to be treated from abuse. You came as a child and identified. I am glad your mind did not get too old, for if it had, who would have helped the children you touched. I can only give back what you projected, respect. One thing for sure, the world is speaking for God. God will not forget your gifts, because He blessed you to give to others. This world is doing what it is suppose to do, Ignore the good and continue sinning. That is why we are sojourners. RIP and let man continue to throw stones, his living is still in a "Boomerang" position. You have paid your dues.LifePut in the picture me not, in doleful statistics, being is but an unfilled daydream, for the essence is lifeless that slumbers, and things are not, what they appear.Being is true! Being is sincere! And the grave is not its aspiration, Dust we are, count it so, to dust we repeat, count it so. Dust, was not spoken of the soul, count it so.Not delight, and not sorrowfulness, is our ordained conclusion or means, but to proceed, that every future uncovers us beyond than at present.Drawing is time-consuming, and moment is ephemeral, and our hearts, though corpulent and valiant, motionless, like barely audible notes, are thumping interment paces to the earth. Be present, a male leader in the contention.In the earth's expansive meadow encounter, in the billet of subsistence, be not similar to moronic, single-minded cattle! Dependence upon no upcoming, however gratifying! Let the deceased times of yore, secrete its departed! Take action, act in the breathing current spirit within, and God in the clouds. Take heed, for God will come through the clouds of our confusion.Lives of impressive men all remind us, we can formulate our lives uplifting and passing, leave at the back of us tracks on the sands of era. Tracks, that perchance a different, seafaring over life's somber core, a pitiful and stranded brother, bearing in mind, shall take mind again. Give permission us, then be upbeat and responsibility with compassion for any destiny; at rest achieving, still pursuing, be taught to employment and stay
Mr. Mogama,I find your statements false and miss leading. I don't agree with your anaylsis. It was Mr. Jackson father that made him what he is today. However, somethings could have been done little differently and in love of the child. He should have been little bit more protective of Mr. Jackson.But, to say, that it is best to have been raised by a single parent than two parents is far fetched. You must give credit where credit is due.L. Jones
Mr Mogamo, please respond to Dr Rucker above.