A Reflection on the King of Pop..

It shocked us all this past week when the news exploded of Michael Jackson's passing. With all of the information that the media has presented us with over the past 5 days or so, the most compelling and intriguing quote I have heard is that "he will be worth more dead than he was alive". This is something that I really need to take issue with.

First of all, whether you loved him or hated him, the man was a "pioneer" of pop music. He led the way for other pop musicians including Justin Timberlake. I dare you to try and name a current pop artist who doesn't toss out a few Jacko moves when on stage. Go ahead...try it...

Second, the man had a difficult life. Ok, ok....I know what your thinking. Millionaire this....pedophile that....yada yada yada. From the time he was a child, his life was a constant media circus. As he has said before...he never had a childhood. As strange as it may be to have children sleep over at his house (at age 40), I think that he was probably trying to grasp some of that youth and to maybe show these kids the kind of life that he never had. Again, the level of appropriety could be questioned, but at this point thats neither here nor there...

Finally, it disgusts me that the media has made a mockery of him for so many years and now, every channel has a so-called "tribute". Wouldn't it have been easier to just leave him alone when he was alive, to appreciate his music and to try and understand what he was all about? Jokes are jokes and, personally, I don't think they will ever be put to rest. But couldn't we have given him SOME privacy?

I admit, I was guilty of the jokes. I admit, I bought into the rumours. However, I want to remember the guy for the good that he brought to the world, especially the music world. I want to remember him for the amazing entertainer that he was. Maybe everyone else does too. Maybe this is why they say that his value will be more in death than it was in life. I would just hate to think that people are beginning to realize that, for so many years, they have underappreciated and mocked a legend...and now he is gone..