The Legend of
Michael Jackson: Prejudicial Critics, Fame, and the Purpose of Life-
Editorial
- Oliver O.
Mbamara
The
Legend of Michael Jackson: Prejudicial Critics, Fame, and the Purpose of
Life
Now that Michael Jackson has passed on, one cannot help but wonder how
some of his critics feel. No, not those constructive critics who had the
best of intentions for him and his music or those who appreciated his love
for the music and his ability to make people happy through his musical
talent. The critics meant here are those who pounced on every human
misstep he may have made or not made and mercilessly chastised him for
them without considering his travails as another human being with human
challenges. Yes, those critics who may have been prejudicial because they
never had adequate information or really knew the man they criticized.
Michael Jackson was human and not exempt from human frailties. So this is
not a defense of him or anything he may or may not have done. This is
perhaps a clarion call to those of us who jump on every band wagon to
attack and condemn others without really taking time to understand the
background or true circumstance of the person or situation we criticize.
Yes, those of us who criticize others without ever thinking that our
criticism could be the catalyst for some unpleasant consequences; those of
us who never put ourselves in the shoes of others before judging or
jumping to conclusions.
Here was another Soul that took on his purpose early in this life to
entertain and make others happy. He sacrificed his childhood and
kindergarten pleasures and dealt with the challenges of fame that came
with the recognition of his talent. He grew up in the public eye under
constant scrutiny while at the same time working hard to meet the
challenges and demands of fans and music lovers around the world. For all
the fame that he enjoyed, he also suffered a sort of loneliness (as he
acknowledged in an interview) which manifested in some other ways that
only few could comprehend. Naturally, the pressure sometimes carried over
to his private life and many of these critics never spared him the agony
of public chastisement.
Perhaps, it would take an artist to really understand the pressures that
Michael had to deal with. Every once in a while we hear stories of stars
and public figures caught in a state of delirium often expressed in
manners that the general public find unusual. Examples: Britany Spears
shaving her hair; Martin Lawrence being found in a somewhat delirious
state that he himself later made fun of. David Chappelle abruptly
leaving/ending his popular TV show; Mariah Carey, Lindsy Lohan, and many
others who almost broke under the pressure of meeting the demands of
stardom, and so on. Merciless critics jump on these stories while the
tabloids exploit them for high volume sales and profits with little care
or regard about the pain and anguish they are causing such personalities.
And this is besides the now notorious paparazzi encounters, a development
still blamed by many for causing the death of the widely loved Princess
Diana.
Michael has moved on but the lessons abound for critics as they abound for
artists too. While some artists are humble about fame and always like to
go low key, others like it loud and ostentatious. The undeniable fact is
that fame brings with it, the duty of responsibility. Most times, we
choose what life we want to live but sometimes the child (or artist) is
saddled with the decision before he/she is too well informed about public
life, fame and human psychology. Business managers are business orientated
and profit motivated. As such they aim for the success of the business and
such may sometimes clash with the personal life and well-being of the
artist. This is perhaps why many parents and guardians want to be there to
guide the child (or artist). Yet, even when an artist is not privileged to
have such guardianship or parentage, the public ought to show some
restraint in its judgment and be more humane about the situation.
After all said and done, one main purpose of life is to improve on who we
are as Soul. We are given the opportunities in our daily callings but they
are never without their challenges. We do not come into this world as
perfect beings. In fact we are here because we are not perfect to begin
with. Part of our purpose here is to improve on who we are. Michael did
leave his mark in this life, he touched many with the joy of his music, it
was a great life and he now has to move on in his journey towards becoming
an even more improved Soul. Sometimes when the physical world can no
longer bring succor and healing or overcome pain, death becomes necessary
for Soul to seek the succor, healing, and/or progress that is beyond this
world. After all, death is only a channel through which we must answer the
call to move on in our journey as Soul. Death is not the concern, the true
concern is to what use we put our lives and how improved we become as
Soul. This is only my understanding.
Oliver O. Mbamara © June 2009
www.OliverMbamara.com
AND NOW THAT HE IS GONE...
From his childhood years
He set upon his purpose
To bring the joy of melody
Through his soulful voice
And now that he is gone
How are the critics feeling?
Merciless in tone,
Careless and indifferent,
They chastised his manners
And drew no lines or limit
And now that he is gone
How are the critics feeling?
Though humiliated and tortured
By some critics and tabloids
He was determined to live
To do what he always loved
And now that he is gone
How are the critics feeling?
But they will not go away.
In his kindness they saw evil
In his human nature they saw wacko
In his travails they thrilled themselves
And now that he is gone
How are the critics feeling?
Yes, he had his frailties too
For he was no perfect one
He had his challenges too
For he was indeed human
And now that he is gone
How are the critics feeling?
He meant no one any harm
For he had a heart of love
With a hand gloved in white
He gave freely to all
And now that he is gone
How are the critics feeling?
And then his time was up
To be healed and consoled
And depart he did, a legend so
Truly now, he is missed in death
And now that he is gone
How are the critics feeling?
Oliver O. Mbamara © June 2009
POEMS of FREEDOM
www.PoemsofSoul.com
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Oliver Mbamara is an Administrative Law Judge with the State of New York.
He is also a filmmaker and a Published Poet and playwright. For more on Oliver, please visit
www.olivermbamara.com
For background/research reference on this
piece, click on this link
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