A lot of what’s called erratic fan behavior stems from sheer helplessness and frustration – like we all react at times when deprived of something that gives happiness or comfort or security.
We flail around and lash out to blame someone – anyone – we think made it happen, let it happen, could have but didn’t stop it from happening, cannot or won’t make it better. Never mind the fact of life that we can’t always have what we want right now – or at all.
Death is the worst deprivation because it can’t be reversed. The global grief attendant to Michael Jackson’s death is singular in that it quickly enveloped many generations, including those who discovered him posthumously, those who hadn’t thought of him in years, as well as longtime admirers.
Here’s a touching comment posted on The New York Times blog days after Michael’s death:
“I am an improbable mourner. I don’t own any Michael Jackson music, haven’t been aware of his activities, and didn’t form any conclusions during or after the days of his trial. I am white, middle aged and living in the Midwest, definitely not “cool.” The day Michael Jackson died I was reading online and one comment listed someone’s favorite Jackson songs and video. I clicked and watched each one, then linked and searched and linked some more, again and again. At some point in that process my heart broke at the sense of loss, and the level of grief I felt left me without words. I tried to explain it to a friend and simply couldn’t. I can only imagine what Michael’s family and close friends are experiencing. If I could I would send my deepest condolences and love to them from here in Indiana where it all started.”
Clearly, this is a kind person amazed by a depth of feeling which defies the logic of her life. Her post prompted my search for others to talk to. I have always felt happy and content with Michael Jackson in my life. At Michael’s 2001 Madison Square Garden concert, I felt great joy but also discomfort that something menacing was at work to take him away. I don’t mean conspiracy as that word is defined. Maybe something more Greek and inevitable.
I always wondered why many women routinely wept in his presence, aside from their loving the dazzling creature to bits. Michael wrote that when you grasp the beloved thing too tightly, it’s bound to slip away like a bar of soap in wet hands. Well, that’s certainly true.
Calling The 500
We’re looking for 500 people who can write–factually and intelligently when requested–with an eye to the pragmatic aspects of reclaiming Michael Jackson’s positive public image.
What if 500 people or more were to be made aware of misinformed, biased, or otherwise negative mainstream press about MJ–the kind that potentially influences much of Joe Public? What if these 500 could muster facts and cool persuasion to respectfully respond to MJ-bashing press when it opens its maw? What if 500 could refute the notion that anyone standing up for Michael Jackson is just another crazed fan? How about if we are instead concerned and intelligent readers who’ve had enough of the cesspool of judgment and persecution–the trampling of ethics in pursuit of dirty dollars–that characterized the media during MJ’s trial, and continues unabated today?
We at MJTruthNow think it’s possible that if 500 people or more were willing and able to write the occasional letter, post the comment or make the call, they could actually function as a check on the kind of irresponsible journalism that unjustly ruins lives. They might even provide a protective function for Michael Jackson’s children. We’d like to gather a group that takes over the megaphone in the public sphere on Michael Jackson’s behalf. As a bloc, we’ll respond when we’re made aware of the trash story, the baloney story, the malicious story that’s being fed to a gullible public. We intend to call the media on its irresponsible reporting when feasible and where impactful. No longer will silence imply agreement with misleading and lazy reporting on the part of mainstream media and medialoid.
We need good writers who can stay on message and write persuasively. We do have a fairly strong idea about what kind of writers will be most effective, but don’t intend to micro-manage anyone’s comments apart from offering guidelines.
If you think The 500 is for you, please contact us at rivers.bend09@gmail.com so we can add you to the newly formed Yahoo Group for The 500. From there, once we’ve built a little critical mass, we will get to work by issuing a set of guidelines and resources to our writing membership, to be followed by occasional brief messages about where to direct your comments.
