Michael Jackson - Billie Jean - Death of an Icon

I tried to keep away from venturing out in sharing my take about this shocking demise (as I'll be obviously riding on the current popularity of the worldwide grief now experienced over the death of an icon), but I could not help but share a thing or two about Michael Jackson. I heard the news about his death in an almost empty bus among 3 black people up there in the Bronx. Michael was very much as black as those 3 with me that time, though I figure he must have been forgiven by most black people for transforming himself into what others have described as a "white woman," an act he must have committed in order to pursue his calling as an artist, as part of coming up with a whole new package for a finicky market, as a way to depart strongly from the past (and come in terms with the present, as some will say). I suddenly remarked before the group, in my faltering accent, my observation that most media have been harsh towards Michael during the last few years of his life, as he has led and exhibited what was considered weird (and unacceptable) behavior. He must have had made things very difficult for members of the media to gain access to his inner circle such that I would consistently hear bad news about him. At the same moment, I was instantly saddened. Anywhere I found myself that night in NYC, I kept hearing about the news on his unexpected demise. I knew in an instant a part of myself died. As mentioned also by one of my batchmates in high school, Michael was among the best representatives of our generation, being among its most iconic representation of a generation that some people call the "MTV generation." I doubt if you'd fail to see among the best, the most original MTVs on record those made during the 1980s that include among its ranks "Billie Jean" (featured here), which talked about of all things, and unusually tackled in a song, a paternity suit, that was based on Michael's own experience with one of his fans.

I'd also share here what I heard from the priest whose sermon in today's Sunday mass focused on the word "Icon." Apparently, "icon" or its other derivative words, like "iconic, iconoclasm" have all negative connotations. People tend to put into suitable images or representation in the form of "icons" all those objects, living or otherwise, that have god-like characteristics/traits. However, it's part of the whole human experience as well to destroy "icons" that people have venerated, or something like about doing "what's been hailed as the greatest, also has to be utterly destroyed." History is full of periods when "icons" were being graphically smashed to pieces as soon as people realized they're not gods at all. Michael very well experienced being turned into an "icon" but he had to be virtually destroyed when he was still alive as he apparently showed clay feet just like the rest of us.

It's only in the experience of having the presence of God even during the last moments of our lives who'll enable us to become complete even in our state of brokenness (that come in different set-ups for each one of us, as sufferings, hardships, troubles, pain are very well part of the total human experience). In this light, I sincerely wish and pray that Michael has encountered the same merciful presence of God during his dying moments (which we can just imagine, given the mixed signals provided by the media and internet). I'm grateful to have experienced the lasting impact of his music, which eggs me now to move on from the thoughts that he now ceased to be with us as an icon, but as one good person who did his best with the gifts the Lord has provided him when he was still very well in our midst.

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