Friday, September 03, 2010
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Michael Jackson, In Memory of Human Nature

by Casey DeHoedt
06/29/2009

On June 24, 2009 pop icon Michael Jackson died from what sources are claiming to be heart failure. The circumstances of Jackson's death – like so many events in the legend's life – are shrouded in public intrigue, rumor and whispers seeking scandal.

Undoubtedly this untimely tragedy will occupy national and international headlines for weeks. For months, tabloids will speculate. Within days, readers will quickly tire.

In the 24 hours following the news, mixed emotions enmesh the collective memory of American culture. And why not? To speak of this artist's life is to recall groundbreaking performances, pop-culture iconography, molestation scandals, celebrity eccentricity and an individual’s burning in the public’s limelight.

And although the tragedies and scandals had occupied Jackson's dying decades, solemn remembrance is due for a performer who represents so much for our country's cultural change.

Michael Jackson's popularity erupted alongside the emergence of MTV. In many ways one was a vehicle for the other's impact on American culture. However, it was Jackson who would come to represent a new face of music politics. Although Jackson wasn't a pioneer for race identity in rock music culture, nor was he a pioneer for hip-hop music, it was Jackson who took hip-hop out of the "urban ghettos" and put it on the television screens in the homes of suburban middle-class white families and forced them to recognize it as a legitimate form of music whose appreciation knew no segregating boundaries.

Suddenly America had to realize that race wasn't scripted by Berry Gordy anymore.

His legacy Thriller, marked a new era in rock music's history. A wholly unique blend of styles that held a little something for everyone; it would bridge the gap between the musically minded and the casual listener. His dynamic performances paved the road for future icons like Madonna and Britney Spears. As such, Jackson drew our awareness to how performance was as demanding, artistic and captivating as Slash's overly-extended shreds.

In some ways it's like seeing the death of Buddy Holly. Although Jackson wasn’t "prolific" in his output, most seem to be focused on Thriller as many lend retrospection to the impact this album had on their individual lives. And with everything else – the absolute fascination on every aspect and scandal of this man's life – nearly 30 years later people are saddened because of that single legacy. That's kind of huge.

And it's sad. After nearly 20 years of being absolutely hounded by media and paparazzi his death is what it took for everyone to remember exactly what he had given us...

Some may opt for a focus on the tragic side of Michael Jackson's life. Some may find catharsis in calling this man a "freak." However, let us not forget everything else Michael Jackson represents for our culture.

He was the first child star America scrutinized and exploited under a microscope. He was a face for child abuse when that awareness was beginning to emerge (because let's remember, child abuse wasn't a social issue until the mid to late 80's). He was the embodiment of race and body conformity issues in the celebrity industry. No matter how hard he had wished and attempted to retreat into his own world, out of view from our voyeuristic eyes, we simply wouldn't let him as we suckled every pain he had to endure and cope with for our own desires of spectacle.

In his dying decades, the personal tragedies gave us front page displays of the less glamorous – in fact, the damning side – of celebrity existence. Our fanatic obsessions made him the "freak show" (as late-night TV hosts would love to coin). Although he may have polarized your musical or personal sensibilities, he also united us through his music. As America mourns the death of an icon, let us remember what Michael Jackson had given us; what he showed us about ourselves. In this period of cultural bereavement, remember that Michael Jackson gave us the very best he had to offer.

“And when the groove is dead and gone
You know that love survives
So we can rock forever, on”

~ "Rock With You"