Michael Jackson: A Painfully Human

My family was in a hotel room in Semarang to attend our denominational conference when I first heard about Michael Jackson death. For us, it was a special day because we are celebrating my husband birthday too. Right away I intended to write something about what I know or feel about his sudden death, but till today, more than two weeks, I could not move my fingers to write a thing. The more I learn about MJ death, life and the world’s reaction, the less word I have to say. As a mother and pastor I have no clue what wisdom should we learned by now.

Undoubtedly Michael has most appealing life’s story and probably the most misunderstood person in this planet. Many accused him of his sexual allegations and bizarre appearance. The allegations were acquitted legally then but left scars on people’s heart. There are continually pros and cons about the truth behind. I will not buy the otherwise than MJ was innocence so far. I believe that how people wanted to comprehend MJ is play a big role. Most of them failed in the first place. The death of MJ and how the world mourns for him make it more obvious.

In some of MJ’s private home video in Youtube, we learn how loving and caring MJ as a father. He shows love and care to his children, better than most of normal people do. He speaks softly. He embarrasses when talk about something un-traditional. To my surprise, MJ appears more conservative than most of the Hollywood celebrities.

In addition, what was not been exposed enough is MJ’s humanitarian work that more than any other artists. He participated in around 39 charities, produced millions of dollars for helping the underprivileged people around the world, taking time to visit hospitals and orphanages and brought gifts for the children. The action may to compensate the painful he has been enduring inside.

He earned the title “King of Pop”, “The Best Entertainer in the World” and “The Best Recording Artist” in history. Speaking of talent MJ is second to no one.

Beside the look and drug abuse, he may be a perfection

MJ carried on a difficult childhood. He lost most of his childhood time due to performing and rehearsing. He was physically and emotionally abused by his father or by people surrounds him who took benefit out of his talent. He is developmentally arrested in 10 years old (some says), trying to recapture his missing childhood and never let it go by being grown up.

He was prodigious as a child, most people would agree with that. When he was a child he sings, dances, feels, better than an adult. But as a grownup he behaves, weeps, plays like a little child. He was an ‘adult-child’ then and became ‘child-adult’ when he grew up. That when prodigy turns to tragedy.

He was also diagnosed with lupus and vitiligo (skin disorder), the curse added to his fame.

Rather than understanding or learn from his life, people made money by mocked and ridiculed him. Exposing MJ’s weirdness and bizarre life seem to feed the need of some people who love his talent but hate his fortune.

MJ is an example of extreme gifted person. A genius by the divine appointment. I believe there is a purpose of God to place such person on the earth. Not all of them ended their life victoriously; indeed, some were remembered end tragically. Giftedness may turn to tragic when we misuse it. That also what happened to William James Sidis, the most intelligent person ever alive, who died at 46 after endure a strenuous life between a desire to be normal and the social pressure of what should come up from a genius.

It is difficult for the rest of our society to understand those who are gifted. They may appear eccentric and weird. Their thoughts are not fit to what majority people could conceive. They are sensitive because they feel, think and know deeper. They are by nature being alienated due to their strengths. And most of us don’t really realize it until the time we lost them. That what came to light when my eccentric and dysfunctional father passed away. The time, I realized, how big I misunderstood his life, love, and behavior. I just wanted to have a normal daddy but when you have a gifted one in the family you don’t expect for normalcy.

The other reason why MJ is so fragile emotionally may because of his lack of religious foundation. We know the he was raised in Jehova Witness family and later involved in other sects such as Kabala and Nation of Islam. He was unstable and need spiritual direction. He seemed vulnerable to any kind of spiritual teaching. What he needed then is a genuine love and care.

I never know if there any attempt of Christian group or person to approach him and give what he need the most: A salvation assurance. An assurance that we are accepted. An assurance of restoration our distorted self image. An assurance of the eternal life. The work that only Jesus Christ, the Son of God alone could offer. The One that able to turn  hurt into hope.

It maybe the ignorance -like what MJ said in one of the interview- that allows such a tragic end happen in our society. The ignorance of the media, the consumers and the viewers. Also the ignorance of the Christians who are confined to their four walls castle. There are many special people that need special attention around us. Some of them look normal and some look alien. They may apart from our tradition and religious values. What they need the most is what we receive for granted: the Grace.

Tags: Arti Hidup, Entertainment, Michael Jacskson