Our genius. Misunderstood.
Creativity at it's unstoppable best.
Michael Jackson, the self styled King of POP who still had the mind of a child-turned prince. May his innocent heart and soul rest in peace. As I write this I’m listening to his message to the media, ‘Leave me alone’. This song itself speaks on behalf of many celebrities caught up in the whirlwind that is fame. Princess Diana would definitely relate. So would Hugh Grant, Britney Spears, Kanye West, Eminem and many others who have expressed their physical and verbal distaste with those placing them in the metaphorical, yet very real, version of a goldfish bowl.
What a shame. How can a society, as civilized as we claim to be, permit the wreaking of such havoc on our people. Obsessed with success and pole position in a capitalist driven rat race, we tend to gravitate towards those who actually achieve it. And why not. I too, don’t mind knowing how they did it, or how you did it. But must it be that we should place a microscope onto every aspect of a person’s life?
I’m not sure.
Michael was placed in a celebrity goldfish bowl since the age of 5. That’s literally 45 years of microscopic scrutiny, interrogation, con artists, gold diggers, superficial people. Can you blame him from shying away? Becoming a recluse? I simply can’t. There is only so much one person can take, even someone with the unstoppable creative genius of Michael Jackson. The sad truth is, like Paul Gascoigne, we let him go long before he announced his fated 50 concerts. He continued to talk about how many people had let him down. Shunned him in his true time of need. The historical moment of truth.
We all know that ostracism and stigma are all realities, but this is what happened to Michael Jackson. The kid who wanted to make up for his lost years of an ordinary childhood by building Neverland ranch. A savvy business man, yes. Once. Apparently he had no idea he signed for 50 concerts, and thought it was 10. Wow. The question I’m asking is where were the people around him? His management team. I mean, seriously. How could someone in as frail a condition as that be expected to train for 50 concerts from March onwards? I think it’s a total disgrace.Clearly, the major motivating factor was of a commercial nature, no doubt fueled by a desire to bring some buzz to a city trying to climb out of recession. This was coupled by Michael’s own desire to say goodbye to his fans. You and me. This desire was undoubtedly built upon, overhyped and translated into the insanely preposterous concept that became a 50 concert tour. This tour was an illusion to any who consider what was being truly asked of Michael in hindsight.
Celebrities who attain this longevity of stardom are naturally assumed to be independent, self-sufficient and able to have their own best interests at heart. Michael didn’t love himself, and we needed to accept this fact much earlier than last week. He wanted love and couldn’t get enough because the love that he did get always had a dark moment around the corner.
Michael was destroyed. Destroyed by a machine fueled by greed, image, indifference and summary condemnation. I grew up on Michael Jackson, along with everyone lucky enough to do so. He was, is and always will be a legend. The effect he had on people is ironically, of an intangible, non-commercial nature, and oh am I glad to say it. His dance moves and creative genius brought light to people everywhere, especially those most repressed. Black or white, he raised the much needed self esteem of people all across the world. He was and still is our star.
It’s this impact on collective self-esteem that I call the ‘MJ effect’. President Obama, has just done it too, having shown the whole world that anyone can do what they want to do and succeed anywhere on this green earth. As long as they have the audacity to hope. Sometimes, all it takes is a thought, (or indeed a melody) coupled with determination and self-belief. Michael Jackson, Joseph Kennedy, Obama have applied the theory.
It’s our turn. Do the moonwalk.
Michael, I know you are finally at peace, and for this, I am glad. Hopefully, you will let the world learn a lesson with your story.
RIP
Prince Malawi: My corner 