Friday morning, I awoke at 6:30 am and turned on Wendy Williams online and heard The King of Pop was rushed to the hospital. I just knew he was going to be fine. He is Michael Jackson! As we were commuting to work here in the Far East, news of Michael Jackson's death spread through text messages. I couldn't believe it and I sat at my desk dumbfounded all morning. I told my junior high school students that Michael Jackson had passed away, and after they translated what I said from English to Japanese, they gasped and said "What!? Really!" I told them to watch the news and read newspapers. The following week consisted of singing Michael Jackson songs and watching "Thriller" and them learning that Michael Jackson was Black and actually had brown skin and an afro when he was younger. Many of the students grew up on the white skinned Michael Jackson and had no idea. I was happy that the teachers I work with wanted to pass on the legacy of Micheal Jackson, many of which bought in their own CDs and talked about how they enjoyed his music.
The foreign community celebrated his life all weekend. I immediately called for a visit to karaoke singing only Michael Jackson tunes, so friends and I got together to sing and dance. Then we spent the weekend attending clubs and DJ sets of M.J. only.
I am still in disbelief but I know he will live forever. He definitely was the only person in the entire world to bring everyone together of all ages, races, and cultures through his entertaining and music alone. I really hope another Michael Jackson star arises in another generation, even if I don't live to see it.
Rest in more peace than you had on this earth Mike. I hope you find your childhood...
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