Miss Mya
In recent weeks we’ve witnessed the unexpected death of THE greatest entertainer in the world. Various stories, documentaries, interviews, etc. have been revisited by the media regarding Michael Jackson’s life in totality, some of which might be quite disturbing to some: drug abuse, child abuse, his level of sanity and even personal injury. My counterpart asked the question if Michael Jackson should be “thankful” to his father for his “disciplinary tactics” for achieving such fame and fortune. Are you kidding me, Chez? This fame and fortune was achieved while sacrificing his identity, happiness and self-confidence. Wow, are you for real?We can concede Michael Jackson was the greatest entertainer in the world, right? Exactly how did he become the greatest entertainer? Were his talent, work ethic, and drive cultivated by his father? Was the abuse Michael Jackson endured by his own account meant to create the desire and motivation to embrace the perfection of the well-rounded entertainer he was known to be?
Let’s say that all of the above is true. Let us also concede that his father’s unwarranted abuse was the sole reason Michael Jackson became the phenomenal dancer and incredible singer he became. He became the single most well-known entertainer in all the earth as a result of extensive child abuse.It is often said that which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. Unfortunately, I can’t say Michael Jackson was viewed as a strong man, grounded in any type of foundation that represented strength; hence the use of drugs or other addictive substance would not have been necessary. From childhood, he never lived a life of normalcy or commonplace. As a matter of fact, his childhood was completely eradicated. His uncommon notoriety and fame were something every person, at one time or another, felt they wanted or wished they had because of the power and money that are associated with it. In addition to Michael Jackson’s fame and fortune, we also know that he was an extremely unstable and despondent. So let’s go back Chez’s question…I really had to ponder this and consider what was at stake and this is what came to mind:
Matthew 16:25-26
For whoever desires to saves his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
I think it is safe to say Michael Jackson literally gained the entire world as a result of his extraordinary ability to entertain. He had millions of fans, millions of albums sold, millions that wanted to catch sight of him in concert, and millions that wanted to follow him everywhere he went, even until his unexpected death. And through it all he surrendered himself, his soul for the sake of being the greatest entertainer. In this division of Matthew, Jesus is teaching disciples about faith in Him and the significance of the cross. Familiar, recurring themes in the New Testament is dying to self, accepting Jesus Christ as the perfect example to live life and becoming a new creation, a new person in Jesus Christ. Michael Jackson sensed this and knew there was something powerful and incomparable about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Michael Jackson was in search of something, filling a void that the fame and fortune couldn’t fill. Was it a fair trade? Would you sacrifice your identity, ability to just “be” for his great fortune and legendary status? It truly depends on what a person deems important and believes is worth the ultimate sacrifice. If you’re willing to give up your own life, why not give it up for something that is secure, unfailing, steadfast and true….
Mr. Hines
Bravo, Mya, bravo. Spoken just like a woman. More specifically, just like a mother. Let me ask you one question...what's that Michael Jackson's clutching in his arms, talent show trophies? If I"m not mistaken, it's 1, 2, 3 ,4, 5 ...(sorry, I seem to have lost count) Grammys. Ironic...
I don't want to get my hands too dirty here, but I will try to be as forthcoming as possible about my honest opinion in regards to this topic. This issue is near and dear to my heart, and therefore I harbor strong, definite ideas in this area.
Can the alleged 'worst' in one person serve as a catalyst to bring out the best in another? Without question. Moreover, I am almost convinced that this is accurate in most cases, but I think it vital that we first address the notion of one being at their worst. My assumption, inclination, belief, is that much like in the case of Joe and Michael Jackson, the presumed tyrannical behavior is actually a tenacious and insatiable desire for their children to excel, to reach the outer reaches of their potential. At the root of the this pursuit is the love only a parent could possess, that would allow, even demand, nothing but perfection from their child, something that could not be entrusted with an 'outsider', who wouldn't have the capacity (or inherent vested interest) to make such demands.
I watched an interview where Michael Jackson stated that his father would make him and his brothers rehearse dance steps for hours upon hours. Joe Jackson would have a belt in his hand, and when one of the boys would mess up a step, Michael claimed he would 'tear them up'. When asked how that affected him, he went on to say that he later in life suffered from as much as regurgitation at the mere sight of his father. He insists that he harbors a great deal of hatred for him because of the 'abuse'. When asked what else his father may have used to hit them with, he said "extension cords...anything he could find."
Let's get real. My mother has 10 brothers and sisters, ranging in age from approximately 48 to 74. All are still living. The oldest was a nurse for 40+ years, who's son (my cousin) graduated from Boston University with honors, who went on to become a navy officer, only later to work for Apple, attend Stanford, and now works for Jeff Hawkins, the Palm inventor. The second oldest was a biophysicist, who worked for Shell Industries for some 35 or so years. I have an aunt who before her bout with cancer, worked at the Duke Ellington Ellington School of Arts in Washington DC for years, and is well known in DC circles. I have still another, 3rd oldest I believe, who was Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Trenton, NJ when she retired several years ago, and continues to receive awards and serve on boards till this day. The two youngest, both I believe hold MB As, one having been the subject of a Black Enterprise article years ago when she landed a coveted spot at AT@T.
I'm not being braggadocios about my family. Talk to any of my aunts and uncles about my grandmother and grandfather's parenting 'technique'. They will, as if it were yesterday, give account upon account of extension cord, belt, leather shaver sharpener, broom, switch, branch, bare hand...too many to name, beatings they received. My mother included. Do you suppose they all resent their upbringing, that today would have landed my grandparents in prison? Do you assume my grandmother, who birthed 11, and died at 58 or so, before I was born and able to be held by her, did not love her children? Do you think that my grandfather, born in Alabama in 1910, the son of a share cropper, who moved his wife and 2 children to NJ in the late 30's, built his home brick by brick after a full days work on his own, (he used to tell me that one over and over), didn't love his children?!
It's not a question of someone's worst. It's a testimonial to the commitment that only unquestionable love can solidify. Michael Jackson's mother and father had 10 kids (a brother died at birth). His father saw in his kids, Michael especially, a gift. Left on his own, Michael Jackson might have become a good entertainer. Maybe a great one. Perhaps one of the best even. It's my contention that Joe Jackson's commitment to his children ensured that the highest potential would be achieved. Thus Michael Jackson isn't good, great, or one of the best. He is without question the biggest, greatest, and best all around entertainer ever!
Maybe Michael Jackson suffers from issues that would have plagued him regardless of his father's influence on him as a child. I don't know much about them, but I haven't heard too much corroboration and echoing of the same sentiments from his brothers. I also don't see too many people spending millions of dollars in minutes, living at their own private Disneyland, making more people faint than the Beatles, and clutching 7 Grammys. There are people who hardly had money to buy food, but would forsake a month's worth for a Michael Jackson concert ticket.
Would Michael Jackson have give all that up in exchange for a father who might have given slight encouragement and hugs, even when he messed up or wanted to quit? Would he have traded being the greatest for a struggling career, or maybe even a job in the mines of Gary, IN?
I DON'T THINK SO! Good job Joe!
To Chez:
ReplyDeleteWow....you never cease to amaze me Chez! Would you still be singing the same song if Michael Jackson turned out to be a serial killer/rapist or life-long criminal that had no regard for human life since it almost seemed as though his father had none for his. Under this same scenario, events could have taken a completely different turn. Because we're human and God obviously made us different, the same children who grow up in the same household with the same rules and regulations often are affected in different ways as a result of child/domestic abuse. Think about Aileen Wuornos, sentenced to die in the 90’s (remember the movie “Monster”). Would she have taken the same path if she would have gotten a hug or two and not on the streets before the age of 16 and becoming one of the most well-known female serial killers in the country....re-directing that negative energy in a more positive light might have even a greater, encouraging effect on Michael Jackson and his family as a whole. Look at his relationship with his mother in contrast to his father….although his father might have “beat” the moon walk into him, he cherished his mother to the utmost. I would imagine that has to hurt as a father – not even an acknowledgement in his will, no nothing! Maybe he just holds on to the fact he certainly did his son a favor by beating him to a pulp in creating the absolute greatest entertainer of all time. Ha, yea…right!
Ya girl...Miss Mya :)