The Passing of Michael Jackson
Years from now, we will be asked the question “Where were you when Michael Jackson died?” and I will remember this day the way my mom remembers the death of Elvis or JFK.
I was sitting in my living room when Justin walked through the door, returning from the bank. He said something like “Guess what? Michael Jackson died. My sister got a text saying…” and for a few seconds I fought him on it, thinking he was pulling one of his pranks. I wasn’t convinced, so I ran to my computer and typed his name in Yahoo and raced to his Wikipedia article. I read the first couple lines and said something like “No no… why is it in past tense?” staring at Justin for reassurance it wasn’t true. I guess that was the point I realized one of my childhood idols was gone.
I know it seems so silly to a lot of you, but I began to cry. I still have tears in my eyes as I’m writing this post. I just can’t come to terms with how tragic his life was, and how it has ended so abruptly. He is dead, but his last years were spent being the punchline to every joke. His face was plastered on websites for a quick laugh. Obviously Michael had mental health issues, and the cruelty with which the media treated him must have been difficult for him to bear. I wish he could have had a happier last few years instead of the circus he experienced.
The Beloved King of Pop
I remember watching that movie about his life with my mom; they would always play it on Lifetime. I always cried over the mouse part – poor Ben. Remember how everyone always tried to do the moonwalk? Actually, better yet, remember the Moonwalker game for Sega? 
Actually, the song “You Are Not Alone” was my first boyfriend and I’s “song”. 
We were 9 or 10 years old, his name was Lamont, and we thought the nude scenes underwater were really cool, so we called it “our song”, haha. It is the little memories like this that make the passing of Michael Jackson a very real, very sad moment for me and millions of his other fans worldwide. Also, it is the realization that I am getting older and will experience more death as time goes on, whether it be a celebrity or my own parents. When I called my mother immediately after hearing the news, she heard me crying and after a while said softly “We all die, Ashley.”
R.I.P. Michael Jackson
August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009
June 25th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Poor MJ. RIP buddy.
I always felt bad for him, too. Constantly struggling to find your identity and your place in this world. I also wouldn’t want every joke to be about me and to be ostracized by the entire world. Who knows what really happened and who are as a society to judge? Ugh.
Farrah Fawcett also passed today, I think. You know they say celebs also go in threes. I wonder who’s next.. hmmm..
OH! And, I was wondering if you used any special program for your cam or if it’s just what cam with it. I found something that lets me stream live but.. I don’t like the quality.
- Sarahc
June 25th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
A quick note, if anyone happens to be a fan of MJ’s album “Thriller” please think about joining my fanlisting:
I have always considered it his best work.
- Ashley
June 26th, 2009 at 12:32 am
Its shocking…
I dont kno what to wirte…
Hes songs were magical..
gonna miss evrything.
- rahul
June 26th, 2009 at 1:32 am
that was such a surprise today. I think no matter how much people make fun of him, he’ll always be the king of pop.
- Stepherz
June 26th, 2009 at 2:08 am
Never once did I say anything bad about Michael Jackson I didn’t believe the crimes he did and obviously neither did the jury and judge. The parents only sued him because their child had cancer and couldn’t pay the bills themselves so they risked their child going to his amusement park. Its sick. I will miss Michael Jackson terribly, me and my friend’s favorite song is Thriller. We always dance to it. He is legend and always will be loved by millions for his music. Its funny how so many people judged him and on his deathday, they’re all crying. Do they feel guilty for what they did to him? He suffered so much and unfortunately suffered in death as well. RIP Michael <3 (I love that picture you have of him btw with the tiger cub. Its so cute)
- Aimee
June 27th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
I commented on your latest Michael post, but I will comment on this one, too. It was very special for me because you hear people say “Yeah, it’s sad…” but I haven’t really read a lot of personal accounts and memories like this. :)
I remember a lot of this stuff, too! It was like a walk down memory lane for me…so thanks for that, love.
Great entry, again!
-M.
- Morgan
September 14th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Trust me it doesnt seem silly to me at all I, just glad I wasnt the only one who cried lol! I Love the picture you have of him on here it just shows that he had such a pure and innocent soul!!! I just wish he could have experienced an ounce of peace while he was here! :(
- Kandyce