July 7, 2009
Tribute to Michael Jackson: His Final Offering To the World
By Ifalade TaShia Asanti

When I heard the news I thought I was in the midst of a bad dream. “Michael Jackson had a heart attack.” “Michael Jackson has died.”

My heart dropped through my stomach, tears rushed to my eyes. “Please God,” I said out loud, “Please tell me this is a lie.” I was at work. I tried to hold it together. I could not do it.

I remember telling my co-worker that it had just been announced that Michael Jackson had died. She looked at me like, “and?” Then she said, “Farrah Fawcett died today too.”

Don’t get me wrong, I was sad about Farrah too. Every life is important in my eyes.

But the news was saying that Michael Jackson had just died. Michael. My Michael. Our Michael. Dead. I could not hold back the tears.

This was the man, the Black man. Michael was a r/evolutionary in every sense of the world. I and every other Black person in America is who they are, in part, because of the walls that Michael sung down, because of the doors that he held open for us. Visible and invisible doors that allowed us to dream big, to see ourselves through the lens of an industry that once would not let us perform in non-Black owned venues.

Michael Jackson, through his music and his charitable giving, played a significant role in the Civil Rights movement. Just the fact that he was a living example of Black excellence, of the inherent abilities of those who descend from the continent of Africa changed the perception of Black people that slavery and racism established.

At a time in history when Blacks were still fighting for equal rights, Michael used his music as a platform to establish bridges between the races in business, the media, the arts and culture.

Michael gave us so very much during his short fifty-plus years. He gave more than two or twenty of us together could ever think about giving. He sacrificed more than any of us could ever dream of sacrificing by dedicating his life to giving us the music that would get us through heartbreaks, help us fall in love, help us celebrate good times and overcome bad times. Barbecues, picnics, family reunions, weddings, house parties, high school dances, turn tables, afros and bell bottoms. All of this we had richer and more vibrant because of Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson shaped decades of fashion and hair styles, generations of pop, hip-hop and R&B dance and nearly a half-a-century of soul music.

On June 25th, he gave us his final gift. He gave one final lesson through the legacy of his life. The question is: did we get the lesson?

Have we learned not to judge each other by the jealous words of strangers most of whom have never even been in the company of the victim of such vicious gossip?

Have we learned to be happy for each other’s successes, no matter how big or how small?

Have we learned to be courageous enough to pursue our dreams without fear of people’s perceptions of us?

Have we learned to find the bridges and similarities among us instead of sear ching for the differences?

Have we learned to seek the redemptive qualities in our brothers and sisters instead of focusing on each other’s flaws?

Have we learned to live our purpose, to keep the promise that each one of us made to God when we were still a soul in heaven?

If even one of us has learned these lessons, then Michael’s sacrifices were not in vain.

And so I say, Michael Jackson is NOT DEAD. He is an ancestor in heaven. He is now making music with James=2 0Brown, doing moves alongside Sammy Davis Jr. and writing new songs with Billie Holliday. Michael Jackson is our universal ancestor. He is free, happy and reunited with his soul and spirit. And for this and for all he gave us, we should celebrate his life today and everyday.

I close with the powerful words of Rev. Al Sharpton which he spoke at Michael’s memorial on July 7, 2009. Words that to me, sum up the sacrifice that Michael made for the world with complete and total clarity.

“Some people like mess. It’s not about mess. Millions around the world are choosing to uphold the love. As you climb up steep mountains, sometime you scar your knee. Sometimes you break your20skin. But don’t focus on the scars. Focus on the journey. Michael beat ‘em all. Michael rose to the top. He out-sang his cynics. He out-danced his doubters. He out-performed the pessimists. Every time he got knocked down, he got back up. Every time you counted him out, he came back in. Michael never stopped, Michael never stopped, Michael never stopped!”

Rev. Sharpton continued, “I want his three children to know, wasn’t nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with. But he dealt with it anyway. He dealt with it for us. Some came today to say goodbye to Michael. I came to say thank you because you never stopped. Thank you=2 0because you never gave up. Thank you because you tore down our divisions. Thank you because your tore down our barriers. Thank you because you gave us hope. Thank you Michael. Thank you Michael. Thank you Michael!”

ASE! IBAE!

Life, Literature, Culture & Spirit in Denver By Ifalade TaShia Asanti

This blog explores crossroads of culture, literature, spirituality and life in Denver and abroad. This blog also speaks to individuals and families who seek to connect with socially conscious, activism-centered, creatively driven communities of color and the allies who support them.

Ifalade TaShia Asanti is the best-selling author of two books-The Seer & The Sacred Door. TaShia lives and works as a journalist, priestess, filmmaker, human rights activist and cultural teacher. More about Tashia's work can be found at www.tashiaasanti.com