In the few days since Michael Jackon's death, there has been a flood of responses from fans around the world. I suppose when any celebrity passes away, there is some cohort of fans who feels compelled to share memories and reflections. Today, such fans are more visible than ever with internet forums, youtube videos, and blogs. The reaction to Michael Jackson's death, however, goes beyond anything I've seen before. The personal responses that have erupted forth seem nearly ubiquitous. People you might not expect to say much on the matter are offering long reflections. People like me, who are typically oblivious and apathetic to Hollywood news are writing their thoughts in blog entries like the one you're reading now. Why? Michael Jackon's impact on culture, not only in the US but around the world, cannot really be fathomed. News of his death reawakewnd in me a flood of memories from my childhood. Walking through these memories, I suddenly realized the extent to which Michael Jackson influenced my life.
MJ is THE reason I started dancing. To this day, nothing gets me on my feet faster than hearing a classic like Billy Jean, Don't Stop Till You Get Enough, or Smooth Criminal. My love for dance started around age 5. I used to watch and rewatch Michael Jackson's music videos on VHS, standing in front of the TV trying to mimic his movements. Play. Pause. 0.5x speed. Rewind. Play. Pause. 0.5x speed. Rewind. My favorite possession was my VHS of Moonwalker. I would watch that video almost daily.
When I was 6, my family went through some rough times. At the same time, I started first grade at a new school, in a new town. I didn't know anyone. My older sister was at a different school, so I didn't even have her, my usual protector. It was a school full of kids from fairly well off families very different from my own, and I was the only non-Caucasian. I didn't exactly fit in right away. I would have this fantasy where I'd show up to school dressed as Michael Jackson, dancing like Michael Jackson, letting the other kids know who's bad. This of course would lead to my immediate promotion to coolest kid in school, with all the girls swooning over me. In third grade, this fantasy briefly and partially came true. For the school talent show, I danced solo to Thriller. I spun. I grabbed my crotch. I moonwalked. My classmates went wild (or at least it seemed that way to my over-imaginative 9 year old mind). For a short while after that, I was famous. I walked the halls of Brown Elementary as a hero. Recess was filled with requests for me to do the moves again. I wonder how much of the confidence I now dance with stems from little events like that one.
Michael Jackson's influence on me was greater than just inspiration to dance. My favorite song growing up was Man in The Mirror. The song repeats the line, "If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change." It's a simple message, probably too obvious to be considered profound. But imagine being a little kid, listening to this song every day, hearing your idol tell you, "If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change." I took this message to heart. In my still developing brain, caring got equated with cool. So, instead of having dreams of being a basketball star or a race car driver, I dreamed of growing up to be able to help people, to protect and save the weak. Since then, I've had many important influences that helped to guide me and inspire me in the pursuit of my goals. But I can't help but think MJ helped to plant the seed. With songs like Man in the Mirror and Heal the World, Michael Jackson empowered kids like me to dream of fixing all the ugly things we saw happening in the world around us. He made me believe that helping others is not a burden but a privileged. So despite whatever controversies exist around Michael Jackson, despite all the problems he had, I have to join the millions of other fans in paying my respect to the legend. No one can deny that he changed the world. I know he changed my life.







