At the time of writing this post, I’m just arriving home from a work function, where I first heard news about the death of Michael Jackson.  In the middle of this gathering, I pulled out my iPhone and Googled the self-proclaimed King of Pop’s name only to confirm the news that was spreading through the room.  The first Google hit was the L.A. Times, which provided enough details for me to understand what had happened to Jackson.  It wasn’t until I was in the car on my way home that I stopped to think about all the media outlets that would be clogged with Jackson stories.  I could just imagine what my Twitter page would look like when I got home to my computer, or how many of my “friends” on Facebook would have a comment about his passing, and it made me sad.  Jackson’s life had always been a media circus and freak show of the highest order, that I will not deny.  Over the last 10 years or so, much of his past accomplishments have been overshadowed by trials and accusations, and very, very odd behaviour, to the point where many people stopped respecting the man and simply marvelled at the myth he had become.  Now, on the day of his death, I got the sense that–even before I turned on a TV–he would be at the centre of a media frenzy that wouldn’t know whether to cannonize him or crucify him.

I can’t blame the world for wanting to know what happened to Michael Jackson today, because he truly was a global figure beyond compare.  People will want to know.  What sticks in my throat, though, is that I know amongst the sincere media coverage and tributes that will be made, there will also be opportunists trying to capitalize on nostalgia.  It’s already happening; according to a tweet I just read you can already buy Jackson RIP t-shirts online.  That’s just wrong.  I wish, for the sake of his family, the world and the media would just stop for a minute, take a breath, and realize that a man has died and left a hole in the private lives of those he was closest to that can’t compare to the one he left in his public life.  Give the Jackson family some room, some time, some peace of mind, and let them come to terms with their loss.  We don’t need souvenir t-shirts to remember and immortalize Michael Jackson; he has single-handedly ensured that his life and legacy will live on in his abence all on his own.  No one in the public realm has had as much control and drive as Jackson did on his own life.  As much as he confounded people, he touched many and inspired even more.  I’m sad to hear that he is no longer with us, and I wish his family peace and comfort in their time of sorrow.  He will truly be missed.

MP3: Rufus Wainwright “Hallelujah”