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In the media and
public frenzy over the death of Michael Jackson, once again,
I feel completely out of sync with the times.
Never a fan of “pop” music, I purposely viewed
several hours of some of Jackson’s most popular early
videos like “Thriller,” “Don’t Stop
Till You Get Enough” and “Man in the Mirror,”
which sold worldwide in the millions, and for the life of
me, I still fail to see what all the tremendous hullabaloo
is about.
Yes, some of the dance moves are remarkable, but so were
Gene Kelly’s, Mikhail Baryshnikov’s and Bob
Fosse’s (who Jackson obviously copied).
Certainly, he was an accomplished showman ... that one
sparkly glove, the short pants and white socks which focused
attention on his footwork, the tilted hat (used by Judy
Garland, Jimmy Durante and others).
His voice, sometimes barely audible, seemed to me, a completely
forgettable high-pitched monotone delivering endlessly repetitive
lyrics.
Perhaps the secret to his mass appeal was his fantasy persona
and equally fantasy life: A talented African-American child
plucked from obscurity and raised to dizzying heights.
Like Madonna, he was constantly evolving into what was
the current “hot button” in American culture.
In the last decade, he epitomized our growing confusion
over changes in standards and morals. Plastic surgery and
skin treatments rendered him neither black or white, male
or female, but a nonracial, nonsexual fantasy combination
that could relate to everyone.
Even his moonwalk, where he slides backward while appearing
to be moving forward, is part of his essential persona of
contradictions. His lifestyle in Neverland was also based
in unreality to such an extent that despite his phenomenal
earnings, estimated at more than $700 million, he was deeply
in debt.
Although, as of this writing, all the facts regarding his
death are not known, it is obvious that despite his fame
and fortune, he was an extremely troubled person.
Dying prematurely, especially before his last highly anticipated
concert tour, assured his continued popularity. It is very
likely the series of appearances might not have lived up
to their over-blown expectations; especially since he was
in ill health and pushing himself to the limit in order
to pay off some of his high-interest loans.
I wonder if our idolization of the over-the-top lifestyles
and bigger than life personae of certain celebrities is
because we find dealing with the day-to-day realities of
our present world too difficult and depressing. If so, it
is an unhealthy adulation and escape.
I am aware that he brought much pleasure to millions of
fans and that is a special and wonderful ability, but I
still feel there is something repellent when so many people
feel the need to be present at a huge memorial to Michael
Jackson that a lottery must be held for tickets.
Shouldn’t we be admiring those individuals who are
making medical advances that save lives or those working
to improve the environment, help the thousands mired in
poverty, or striving to create a more peaceful world? Fantasy
has its place, but surely that place is not on a pedestal.
Jean Cherni is founder of Senior
Living Solutions, a retirement advisory service. Contact
her at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 15 The Ponds, Branford
06405.
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