On the other hand, there were some things about the service that bothered me a little.
For one, there is the fact that this amounted to a state funeral in a state which can scarcely afford one. Already, the state of California is appealing for donations to offset the enormous cost of security, redirecting traffic, etc.
What about all of those people who remain out of work?
Secondly—and although it should be expected in these sorts of bigger-than-life situations I guess—is the fact that even in death Michael Jackson continues to be a magnet to the self-serving sorts of people he so tragically attracted in life. The Reverend Al Sharpton, for example, cracks me up when he makes fun of himself on Saturday Night Live. He did not crack me up — or make me reach for the handkerchief — with his remarks at the Jackson memorial.
But most of all, for me at least, was the whole underlying tone of deification about the whole thing. It just didn't sit well. The thing that always bothered me most about Michael Jackson during his life wasn't so much the weird behavior, the way his appearance changed over the years, or even the charges of child abuse.
Rather, it was his at times unbelievable, over-the-top ego.
This was a guy who erected enormous, Caesar-esque statues of himself in life—and in death seeing Lionel Ritchie sing about Jesus, while watching Michael's image with arms outstretched and beams of light shining down just didn't sit well with me at all. Somewhere my Sunday School lessons as a kid kicked in pretty hard there I guess.
Jackson's contributions to modern culture are undeniable, even if very few of them were recent ones. The way he kicked down the doors which once separated music purely on the basis of race is something we all owe him a very great debt for.
But he was not a God. Not anymore than Elvis or John Lennon were—much I as love them both. So yeah, even as I was holding back some tears watching all of this, that part of the ceremony bothered me a little.
What I actually found myself mourning more than the passing of Michael Jackson himself, though, was the passing of the eighties.
Article comments
1 - Jet Gardner
A good read there Glen, however everyone knows Eric Clapton is God.
Thriller came along while record sales were in a critical slump. Jackson not only saved his own label, but by getting people back into the record shops probably save a couple or more other labels as well.
2 - Ghislaine
Good article, thank you.
I donated money for the costs LA incurred for the security of the body and the memorial. I believe it should have been done that way.
I do not think Michael Jackson was God...I am not sure I buy that he even though so himself. Any time I saw him spread out his arms, that signature movement...I always got a sense of vunerability. That he was wide open, exposed. His chakras opened. It was as if he were saying, take even more of me... we consumed him.
I admit that I groaned when Rev. Al Sharpton got up at the memorial, but by the end, the good ole Rev. redeemed himself with me, if just for that day. What he said to Michael's children, I really appreciated.
Michael Jackson was just a human, imperfect as we all are. But he was also a great talent.
A little part of me died when I heard that he passed. Maybe the 80's died with him...but I think it is a little more than that. I am 50 and have been a fan for 43 years.
3 - Glen Boyd
Thanks for the comments Jet and Ghislaine. Not much I can really add to them, except to say that he will be missed.
-Glen
4 - Kit O'Toole
Glen, this is one of the more insightful articles I've read about this whole story. I completely agree that the Jackson family, Sharpton, etc. tried to rewrite MJ's life story, essentially turning him into a saint. Berry Gordy had it right when he talked about MJ's amazing talent, and that he made "questionable decisions" in his life (I didn't agree on the "greatest entertainer who ever lived" comment, though). I think you put your finger on why us 80s kids are taking his death harder than others--it seems like the 80s are officially gone, or at least a part of our childhood. Terrific job!
5 - Glen Boyd
Wow! Thanks Kit. Coming from someone who has written a few very good articles about the subject herself, I take your compliment as high praise indeed. Thanks again!
-Glen