In Celebration

Today we view the laying to rest of a legend. Not to praise him as anything more than a man. And if at all we are to praise him we are to praise him as just that, a man, for even a King is a man. And we've seen the tragic passing of two great Kings within the past 50 years - Martin Luther King Jr. and now, Michael Jackson.

Both were bearers of many mistakes. The err of the human. And in this society we've built upon another err - the err of ready judgement and eager oppression.

Both were bearers of an oppressive mass of society for a lifetime and with troubled lives unfolded they pushed through criticisms until their time had come. And they left with the same integrity and dignity that had quietlyfollowed them throughout their lives. They were deserving of a better existence. And early on they left us with their messages and memories, to push us to learn on our own, the detriment of our own existence as an eagerly oppressive society and sinful human race. The student must learn on his own for him to follow his teacher's teachings and allow them to make manifest and have impact.

We once celebrated Dr. King's life at the time of his death and continue the celebration.

For Michael Jackson:

He recounted his adolescence and his trials of adulthood through his songs and transitioned from a man of humility to a man filled with passion and aggression when faced with the joyous task of performing. To him happiness, love and understanding was luxury to last a lifetime. The material possessions of which he furnished his home as well as the puerile activites he was engaged in were compensations for lost youth and modest living arrangements prior.

With tears and in celebration, we will watch the the burial of the body, which housed the man, a true King, who many have come to love, respect, and model their lives off of. His spirit, soul, message, and legacy will remain in our hearts and our minds.

I never attended a Michael Jackson concert. Never shook his hand. Never spoke to him. Never met him. But he's helped me push through my days. And where the love he preached comes along, just as the Bible preaches love for all, perhaps Michael Jackson was the human voice I needed to heed such a message.

I'm not in the least bit the most affectionate person, but I believe Michael Jackson deserves love. And I find it easy to say I love him.

Though tears and pain may marinate in the folds of our faces, no more can we do than to celebrate the life- not mourn the death - of Michael Jackson.