One for the ages: Michael Jackson inspired humanity to believe in itself

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This is one of the Best Article: Handsdown!!!
One for the ages: Michael Jackson inspired humanity to believe in itself by Marv Dumon

The recent and untimely passing of Michael Jackson has brought a profound sorrow and grief to many around the world. To most around the world . . .

His loss is deeply felt, by those he touched, and by those who sought to touch him.

While I aspire to be the best writer, scribe, and thinker that I can possibly be, my expressions on a virtual paper that is a computer screen is likely to fall far, far short of what Michael meant to many people in our global village. In comparison to the greatest entertainer of all time, even my open-minded imagination fails in adequate depiction.
The explanations as to why he was important and ground-breaking in social terms, for civilization, is worthy of lengthy, lengthy scrolls. College classes will be taught about him; songs will offer praise. As fans mourn, either outwardly or in their quiet and private recesses, more will yet discuss the many dimensions of this man-example: the child musical prodigy, the abusive household, the driven and dysfunctional family, the perfectionist, the racial and cultural transcendent, the father, the man, the artist.

The Uber Artist
He was the Uber, Uber Artist.
He, in his own right, was a leader. By following his own voice, calling, sense of destiny, and imagination, he ultimately lead. The masses followed. The sea of humanity in his concerts cried at the sight, sound, and awe-inspiring performance. They thundered rhythm, movements, voice inflections, subtlety that was never seen or heard or will never be seen or heard ever, by anything or anyone on this earth. It was not just a once-in-a-lifetime uniqueness. It will never be seen again, except for the poor substitute of re-runs and replays.

In the past 2 or 3 generations, from the past 30 years, perhaps only 5 other super-individuals rose to heights and moved people in similar ways that Michael Jackson did. 1. Pope John Paul II 2. Ronald Reagan 3. Michael Jordan 4. Nelson Mandela 5. Manny Pacquiao

One offered spiritual freedom, religious inspiration, and defied a Communist empire - that most oppressive of systems that de-humanized people. After receiving a bullet in an assassination attempt, he forgave his would-be assassin.Nelson Mandela pumps his fist in South Africa
One lead and inspired the United States, a superpower in a great Cold War and economic struggle. He refreshed the minds of many by advocating principles and values that were right, powerful, true, and timeless.
One exerted his physical and mental abilities to the utmost on the hardwood floor, with zeal that made him the greatest basketball player of all time. Championship after championship, MVP after MVP, he was the athlete that rose to unhampered heroism, giving hope to kids, young adults, and sports fans.
One spent several decades in a South African jail, and upon release, became the president of his people, who defeated decades of apartheid and racial injustice - a global leader. His was the greatest test of patience and purpose.
And one spent his early childhood in desperate poverty, who in impossible circumstances, became the greatest prize fighter in the world and one of the best boxers of all time. His national following is as heightened with fervor and intensity as any who has ever climbed the peak of heroics and idolatry.

Michael Jackson
With Michael Jackson, his electricity on stage defined phenomenal. He made everyone believe in the impossible, that magic was indeed part of the common standard.

He united the world by making people forget about the Cold War, nuclear weapons, of national boundaries. People were just people - fellow human beings - through his music, discovering something about themselves; exploring something about the expressions of the ether and universe.

His music gyrated our soul - and our being. His spirit transcended genres. It was undefinable, and un-utterable.

Over the weekend, listening to Michael Jackson's songs, and watching multitudes of tribute videos had me shedding heartfelt tears a few times. These are timeless, and they make me forget my skin color, religion, neighborhood, alma mater, and nationality. I am simply a human being. An undefined and infinite soul.

Michael Jackson's expressions were not just ballads, they implored each of us to reach our potential, to reach a higher plane - to plant that celestial fire of conscience and goodness within our own hearts. They were primordial, those insights that we did not know were embedded in our DNA. They tapped into each person, and tapped into the collective subconscious. The response was elative. Ecstatic. Incredible. It was a nuclear explosion / implosion of the mind-spirit. The Chosen One revealed a way to express and live life that was boundless in energy and dimension.

As he defeated and erased political, cultural, national, and racial lines, man was freed. From himself. What appeared to be metal shackles blew into the wind as mere sand-dust. An illusion.

Man had suffered from the Spanish Inquisition, the Dark Ages, the brute dogmas and lies of Supreme Authority. Physical torture, and brainwashing, that altered his reality. Freedom reconfigured perceptions.

Man in the Mirror
I'm Gonna Make A Change,
For Once In My Life
It's Gonna Feel Real Good,
Gonna Make A Difference
Gonna Make It Right . . .

I See The Kids In The Street,
With Not Enough To Eat
Who Am I, To Be Blind?
Pretending Not To See
Their Needs

I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways

Michael's song-messages implored us to undergo the full zest of the human experience . . . that what is possible lies beyond our own neighborhoods, our own familiar mores, and constricted awareness.
______________

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

Keep On With The Force Don't Stop
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
Keep On With The Force Don't Stop
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

We could go on and on with an endless listing of classics.
Heal the World; Wanna Be Startin’ Something; Billie Jean; Rock With You; Human Nature; Dirty Diana

Michael Jackson made my childhood magical. His rides on Disneyland confirmed that magic did exist. Fairytales came true. The impossible was just around the corner. Paradise on earth could happen.

There is a custom-made frontier out in front of us, if we searched hard enough and if we had the courage to test its mettle.

I must confess.

When I was in the 3rd or 4th grade, I had a three-member dance group, and we danced and performed to Michael Jackson's "Bad" in front of our class' parents.

In any other circumstance, I would have been shy and reserved. The Michael Jackson persona gave me confidence, I was able to execute and perform with pride and joy.

Michael Jackson inspired humanity to believe in itself.

A simple glimpse of the King of Pop would have been enough. He was the most unique expression of the human mind, of human potentiality, of what lied just beyond the human frontier.

That it was reported that he suffered an apparent cardiac arrest last Thursday afternoon, I was at a bar, grabbing a few beers after a hard day's work. The initial thoughts were that of curiosity. Moments later, it was announced by CNN that he was dead. Shock ensued. A somber sort of energy dragged my spirits down, like some magnetic force was pulling me closer to the ground.

Michael Joseph Jackson - 1958 to 2009 - was unlike any of us. Each of us belong to a certain mold, expected of us. Not Michael.

He broke barriers, he broke records, he broke through limitations.

That he was beyond regal and magnificent in his bearing and outfit does not belie what was inside the man. Associates regarded him as the most gentle, sweetest, and well-intentioned being on the planet. MTV personality John Norris recalled that adult Michael was extremely shy, cautious, and reserved when interacting with people, and even more so when the cameras went on.

Perhaps, rightfully so. Adulthood indoctrinates the common man to lower his standards. Temptations teach us that it is alright to reduce any vestige of morality and accept lying, cheating, and un-gentlemanly behavior as an acceptable means of getting ahead, or fulfilling our selfish little desires. We eventually get screwed bad. The trusting child in us gets destroyed in the process. We screw others in revenge.

Especially when we are around wealthy, beautiful, and famous people. The fangs come out. People take advantage. Hidden motivations are manifested manipulatively. It is the grand royal courtesan scheming and acting with Machiavellian blood-thirst.

Michael Jackson was repulsed. He retreated, and isolated. He maintained his standards. He continued to strive to improve on those standards. In his perfectionist pursuits he was unfamiliar with rest. He subscribed to a deadly cocktail of anti-depressants, pain killers, and any other chemical-medicines that temporarily reduced his obsessive compulsive behavior.

Our idol fell. He paid the highest price for those standards. He maintained his integrity, and he kept true to himself.

Michael Jackson sold over 750 million albums. That is one of the most astonishing feats ever accorded in the history of man.

His death means that a major and treasured part of our childhoods is also dead. Such is priceless and irreplaceable.

No amount of money or success can ever replace the sense of wonder, sense of possibilities, innocent love, and magic that comes with it.

Michael Jackson has passed away. We did too.
 
A simple glimpse of the King of Pop would have been enough. He was the most unique expression of the human mind, of human potentiality, of what lied just beyond the human frontier.

His death means that a major and treasured part of our childhoods is also dead. Such is priceless and irreplaceable.

No amount of money or success can ever replace the sense of wonder, sense of possibilities, innocent love, and magic that comes with it.

Michael Jackson has passed away. We did too.



These parts moved me.....:cry:
 
His death means that a major and treasured part of our childhoods is also dead. Such is priceless and irreplaceable.

No amount of money or success can ever replace the sense of wonder, sense of possibilities, innocent love, and magic that comes with it.

Michael Jackson has passed away. We did too.


Exactly.
 
Overall, this is a beautiful article. It is deeply moving and intelligently written.

Like 144,000, I didn't like the cocktail bit either.
I also don't agree with placing Ronald Reagan on that "Top 5 Modern Groundbreakers" list. Ditto for John Paul II, although admittedly he did do a fair bit for people so he earned his place more than Reagan. We've had better than that, though, but hey it's his list so he can put whoever he wishes to put in there. I guess.
 
I love this article :)

We all have our own "Top 5 Modern Groundbreakers" and we will all come up with acceptable and compelling reasons for those people to be in that list. This artcle's author made theirs.

As for the cocktail of drugs thing. I believe there are certain truths and also certain lies about this whole tale.
 
I love this article :)

We all have our own "Top 5 Modern Groundbreakers" and we will all come up with acceptable and compelling reasons for those people to be in that list. This artcle's author made theirs.

As for the cocktail of drugs thing. I believe there are certain truths and also certain lies about this whole tale.

i don't know exactly what that means.

the reality is..nobody has any proof to make any drug indictment on MJ. but apparently, being irresponsible with the flow of information is a dangerous thing, because people tend to go with what's in print and what's heard on tv.

there are naysayers and some fans...and some members on this board who have indicted MJ without proof, just because info was printed without proof.
 
i don't know exactly what that means.

the reality is..nobody has any proof to make any drug indictment on MJ. but apparently, being irresponsible with the flow of information is a dangerous thing, because people tend to go with what's in print and what's heard on tv.

there are naysayers and some fans...and some members on this board who have indicted MJ without proof, just because info was printed without proof.

Playing devil's advocate here...you also don't have any proof that Michael didn't use some form of sleeping aid/ anti-depressant or whatever. This is in no way me saying that Michael was a drug addict nor am I implying that.
 
Playing devil's advocate here...you also don't have any proof that Michael didn't use some form of sleeping aid/ anti-depressant or whatever. This is in no way me saying that Michael was a drug addict nor am I implying that.

the autopsy doesn't reveal a body worn by years of drug abuse.

i like giving him the benefit of the doubt. and i'm not into playing devil's advocate.

but that article at the top makes it clear that the writer thought of MJ as a drug addict.

and.....there's no utopian sentences. people run with as little info as possible. somebody just hints at something, and people take it the distance, whether or not it is responsible writing.
 
the autopsy doesn't reveal a body worn by years of drug abuse.

i like giving him the benefit of the doubt. and i'm not into playing devil's advocate.

but that article at the top makes it clear that the writer thought of MJ as a drug addict.

and.....there's no utopian sentences. people run with as little info as possible. somebody just hints at something, and people take it the distance, whether or not it is responsible writing.

There it is again. Where in that article did the author say Michael was a drug addict? It doesn't!

somebody just hints at something, and people take it the distance

But isn't that exactly what you've just done with your opinion that the author is calling Michael a drug addict when that phrase doesn't appear anywhere in this piece?
 
This is one of the Best Article: Handsdown!!!
One for the ages: Michael Jackson inspired humanity to believe in itself by Marv Dumon

The recent and untimely passing of Michael Jackson has brought a profound sorrow and grief to many around the world. To most around the world . . .

His loss is deeply felt, by those he touched, and by those who sought to touch him.

While I aspire to be the best writer, scribe, and thinker that I can possibly be, my expressions on a virtual paper that is a computer screen is likely to fall far, far short of what Michael meant to many people in our global village. In comparison to the greatest entertainer of all time, even my open-minded imagination fails in adequate depiction.
The explanations as to why he was important and ground-breaking in social terms, for civilization, is worthy of lengthy, lengthy scrolls. College classes will be taught about him; songs will offer praise. As fans mourn, either outwardly or in their quiet and private recesses, more will yet discuss the many dimensions of this man-example: the child musical prodigy, the abusive household, the driven and dysfunctional family, the perfectionist, the racial and cultural transcendent, the father, the man, the artist.

The Uber Artist
He was the Uber, Uber Artist.
He, in his own right, was a leader. By following his own voice, calling, sense of destiny, and imagination, he ultimately lead. The masses followed. The sea of humanity in his concerts cried at the sight, sound, and awe-inspiring performance. They thundered rhythm, movements, voice inflections, subtlety that was never seen or heard or will never be seen or heard ever, by anything or anyone on this earth. It was not just a once-in-a-lifetime uniqueness. It will never be seen again, except for the poor substitute of re-runs and replays.

In the past 2 or 3 generations, from the past 30 years, perhaps only 5 other super-individuals rose to heights and moved people in similar ways that Michael Jackson did. 1. Pope John Paul II 2. Ronald Reagan 3. Michael Jordan 4. Nelson Mandela 5. Manny Pacquiao

One offered spiritual freedom, religious inspiration, and defied a Communist empire - that most oppressive of systems that de-humanized people. After receiving a bullet in an assassination attempt, he forgave his would-be assassin.Nelson Mandela pumps his fist in South Africa
One lead and inspired the United States, a superpower in a great Cold War and economic struggle. He refreshed the minds of many by advocating principles and values that were right, powerful, true, and timeless.
One exerted his physical and mental abilities to the utmost on the hardwood floor, with zeal that made him the greatest basketball player of all time. Championship after championship, MVP after MVP, he was the athlete that rose to unhampered heroism, giving hope to kids, young adults, and sports fans.
One spent several decades in a South African jail, and upon release, became the president of his people, who defeated decades of apartheid and racial injustice - a global leader. His was the greatest test of patience and purpose.
And one spent his early childhood in desperate poverty, who in impossible circumstances, became the greatest prize fighter in the world and one of the best boxers of all time. His national following is as heightened with fervor and intensity as any who has ever climbed the peak of heroics and idolatry.

Michael Jackson
With Michael Jackson, his electricity on stage defined phenomenal. He made everyone believe in the impossible, that magic was indeed part of the common standard.

He united the world by making people forget about the Cold War, nuclear weapons, of national boundaries. People were just people - fellow human beings - through his music, discovering something about themselves; exploring something about the expressions of the ether and universe.

His music gyrated our soul - and our being. His spirit transcended genres. It was undefinable, and un-utterable.

Over the weekend, listening to Michael Jackson's songs, and watching multitudes of tribute videos had me shedding heartfelt tears a few times. These are timeless, and they make me forget my skin color, religion, neighborhood, alma mater, and nationality. I am simply a human being. An undefined and infinite soul.

Michael Jackson's expressions were not just ballads, they implored each of us to reach our potential, to reach a higher plane - to plant that celestial fire of conscience and goodness within our own hearts. They were primordial, those insights that we did not know were embedded in our DNA. They tapped into each person, and tapped into the collective subconscious. The response was elative. Ecstatic. Incredible. It was a nuclear explosion / implosion of the mind-spirit. The Chosen One revealed a way to express and live life that was boundless in energy and dimension.

As he defeated and erased political, cultural, national, and racial lines, man was freed. From himself. What appeared to be metal shackles blew into the wind as mere sand-dust. An illusion.

Man had suffered from the Spanish Inquisition, the Dark Ages, the brute dogmas and lies of Supreme Authority. Physical torture, and brainwashing, that altered his reality. Freedom reconfigured perceptions.

Man in the Mirror
I'm Gonna Make A Change,
For Once In My Life
It's Gonna Feel Real Good,
Gonna Make A Difference
Gonna Make It Right . . .

I See The Kids In The Street,
With Not Enough To Eat
Who Am I, To Be Blind?
Pretending Not To See
Their Needs

I'm Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change
His Ways

Michael's song-messages implored us to undergo the full zest of the human experience . . . that what is possible lies beyond our own neighborhoods, our own familiar mores, and constricted awareness.
______________

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

Keep On With The Force Don't Stop
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
Keep On With The Force Don't Stop
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

We could go on and on with an endless listing of classics.
Heal the World; Wanna Be Startin’ Something; Billie Jean; Rock With You; Human Nature; Dirty Diana

Michael Jackson made my childhood magical. His rides on Disneyland confirmed that magic did exist. Fairytales came true. The impossible was just around the corner. Paradise on earth could happen.

There is a custom-made frontier out in front of us, if we searched hard enough and if we had the courage to test its mettle.

I must confess.

When I was in the 3rd or 4th grade, I had a three-member dance group, and we danced and performed to Michael Jackson's "Bad" in front of our class' parents.

In any other circumstance, I would have been shy and reserved. The Michael Jackson persona gave me confidence, I was able to execute and perform with pride and joy.

Michael Jackson inspired humanity to believe in itself.

A simple glimpse of the King of Pop would have been enough. He was the most unique expression of the human mind, of human potentiality, of what lied just beyond the human frontier.

That it was reported that he suffered an apparent cardiac arrest last Thursday afternoon, I was at a bar, grabbing a few beers after a hard day's work. The initial thoughts were that of curiosity. Moments later, it was announced by CNN that he was dead. Shock ensued. A somber sort of energy dragged my spirits down, like some magnetic force was pulling me closer to the ground.

Michael Joseph Jackson - 1958 to 2009 - was unlike any of us. Each of us belong to a certain mold, expected of us. Not Michael.

He broke barriers, he broke records, he broke through limitations.

That he was beyond regal and magnificent in his bearing and outfit does not belie what was inside the man. Associates regarded him as the most gentle, sweetest, and well-intentioned being on the planet. MTV personality John Norris recalled that adult Michael was extremely shy, cautious, and reserved when interacting with people, and even more so when the cameras went on.

Perhaps, rightfully so. Adulthood indoctrinates the common man to lower his standards. Temptations teach us that it is alright to reduce any vestige of morality and accept lying, cheating, and un-gentlemanly behavior as an acceptable means of getting ahead, or fulfilling our selfish little desires. We eventually get screwed bad. The trusting child in us gets destroyed in the process. We screw others in revenge.

Especially when we are around wealthy, beautiful, and famous people. The fangs come out. People take advantage. Hidden motivations are manifested manipulatively. It is the grand royal courtesan scheming and acting with Machiavellian blood-thirst.

Michael Jackson was repulsed. He retreated, and isolated. He maintained his standards. He continued to strive to improve on those standards. In his perfectionist pursuits he was unfamiliar with rest. He subscribed to a deadly cocktail of anti-depressants, pain killers, and any other chemical-medicines that temporarily reduced his obsessive compulsive behavior.

Our idol fell. He paid the highest price for those standards. He maintained his integrity, and he kept true to himself.

Michael Jackson sold over 750 million albums. That is one of the most astonishing feats ever accorded in the history of man.

His death means that a major and treasured part of our childhoods is also dead. Such is priceless and irreplaceable.

No amount of money or success can ever replace the sense of wonder, sense of possibilities, innocent love, and magic that comes with it.

Michael Jackson has passed away. We did too.

There it is again. Where in that article did the author say Michael was a drug addict? It doesn't!



But isn't that exactly what you've just done with your opinion that the author is calling Michael a drug addict when that phrase doesn't appear anywhere in this piece?

what else would you call the bolded?? especially when it's suggested that he had to cure 'obssessive compulsive behavior'?
 
My take on the "obsessive-compulsive behaviour" would be a nod towards his never ending persuit of perfection in his work. Always striving for that extra step to perfect his art. Which would see him stay awake countless hours coming up with hundreds of ideas and thinking/ writing them out. In a way he put himself through hell doing so because it's almost like his mind was racing ahead and his body was trying to catch up. Working so hard rehearsing that his feet would be so painful he had to take medication for it.

In my honest humble opinion that is what the writer is trying to put across. Michael wanted to please us so badly that he forsakes his own health. In his own words during the home movies documentary "I go through hell!".

I'm not trying to cause argument here that is the last thing I want :(
 
the end is stupid, the author didn't get Michael...Michael never gave up to the world, he always tried to help us all reach our potential and create a better world!he was not an addict,he didn't stay in his ivory tower,he was giving love and hope to us...
 
My take on the "obsessive-compulsive behaviour" would be a nod towards his never ending persuit of perfection in his work. Always striving for that extra step to perfect his art. Which would see him stay awake countless hours coming up with hundreds of ideas and thinking/ writing them out. In a way he put himself through hell doing so because it's almost like his mind was racing ahead and his body was trying to catch up. Working so hard rehearsing that his feet would be so painful he had to take medication for it.

In my honest humble opinion that is what the writer is trying to put across. Michael wanted to please us so badly that he forsakes his own health. In his own words during the home movies documentary "I go through hell!".

I'm not trying to cause argument here that is the last thing I want :(

Totally agree - Obviously the author also sees things that way "In his perfectionist pursuits he was unfamiliar with rest" and according to me the deadly cocktail he's talking about, is the one that CM gave him. It's a fact, it was a deadly cocktail :(

... we all know Michael was not a drug addict
... and I love this article
 
My take on the "obsessive-compulsive behaviour" would be a nod towards his never ending persuit of perfection in his work. Always striving for that extra step to perfect his art. Which would see him stay awake countless hours coming up with hundreds of ideas and thinking/ writing them out. In a way he put himself through hell doing so because it's almost like his mind was racing ahead and his body was trying to catch up. Working so hard rehearsing that his feet would be so painful he had to take medication for it.

In my honest humble opinion that is what the writer is trying to put across. Michael wanted to please us so badly that he forsakes his own health. In his own words during the home movies documentary "I go through hell!".

I'm not trying to cause argument here that is the last thing I want :(

i know ur not trying to cause strife. i see what ur trying to do.

we are all looking for the right articles in this mixed up world..MJ went thru a lot.

it's just that we don't know..

MJ's life was a mystery...and i just wish some article writers would be aware of that...

mentioning drugs in any capacity, to me, is not necessary for them to do...

there was so much good that MJ did... and that is clear...

the other stuff is what they don't know about..and i just wish they'd steer clear of it, completely...that's all...

giving the appearance with using such words as 'deadly cocktail' would make it easy for the haters to latch onto..

it's one thing to say what doctor murray did that fateful night..

it's another to give the impression that MJ subscribed to that same behavior for a prolonged period of time..

if these writers are going to talk about drugs...talk about murray...not Michael...that's all i ask of them....
 
Guys all drug addict discussion stops now. Michael was not a drug addict, and any discussion about whether Michael was or not is against the rules.
 
very true. that's why when the article in question comes and talks about it..it scares me for all the members on the site..
 
I apologise but that term was not involved in the article in the first place either. I'm done.
 
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