King of Pop?

I have avoided talking about all the celebrities who have passed away, mainly because I don't particularly care except to say "Oh wow. That's surprising." Or not in some cases. But I will say this, I don't understand why everyone is making such hey out of Michael Jackson dying. Yes, he was uber-famous. Yes he was the King of Pop. But he was also accused multiple times of child molestation. And admitting to sharing his bed with young boys and giving them alcohol. If anyone reading this actually believes that nothing happened, then I have a used white Bronco to sell you cheap. I realize that he was never convicted of any crime. But there's a reason that verdict form say "Not Guilty" instead of "Innocent". Sometimes people are innocent. But sometimes, cases can't be proved. The more money you have, the more cases can't be proved.

The non-stop barrage of coverage of Michael Jackson's death got me thinking about who in this society we choose to exhalt as heroes. Or who we pay attention to in the world. There are so many people who do such good around the world. People who try to makes the lives of those around them better. People who risk their lives to give aid to those who are displaced by war. People who risk their lives to tell the rest of the world what goes on in countries who would rather they didn't. But who do we pay attention to? Michael Jackson. Steve McNair. Farrah Fawcet. Ed McMahon. I'm not saying that these people don't deserve to be acknowledged. But where are our priorities?  

Kobe Bryant's a hero to people because he can play basketball. Terrell Owens is a hero because he can catch a football. I was talking to Becky at lunch today. I don't like to use the word hero often. I certainly don't think there are too many people who qualify for that title. Firemen and cops and soldiers top the list. About the only athlete I would classify as a hero is Lance Armstrong. Because he survived cancer. Because he gives so much back. Because this comeback is about publicizing his foundation more than self-glorification (yes, I realize arguments can be made to the contrary, but I'm taking him at his word on this one.) He's not my hero because he won the Tour seven times. He's my hero because not only did he survive cancer, he went on to conquer his sport. He has shown people the value in positive thinking and the power of never giving up. And he put his fame to use by starting his foundation that has raised not only cancer awareness
but hundreds of millions of dollars.

It's not up to me to decide who gets to be famous in the world. But I can make a small statement by refusing to pay attention to people who are famous just because or who shouldn't be famous in the first place. So as I watched Michael Jackson's family parade his 11 year-old daughter out on stage to talk at his memorial service (which I found ironic as he spent his children's life keeping them shielded from the public eye), I kept thinking about those children whom he may have molested over the years. And the lifetime they will have recovering from that.

I still appreciate his music. I think Thriller is a great album. And I love the Jackson 5. I just think it's too bad that we have lionized someone who had such huge problems and in his death all the flaws get covered like a mortician covering the body with makeup.  

Comments

[Becky]

Excellent post and well said. I agree with every point.