The Shreveport Sun
June 29, 2009
Many people can, will and have professed their undying love and respect for Michael Jackson and his music. Likely, nothing I say will be original or groundbreaking. Many of us cannot list our favorite MJ song – that is simply impossible as trying to settle on even a favorite album may be too difficult of a task.
I, like many other 70’s, 80’s and 90’s babies, literally grew up to the sounds of the Jackson family. I simply cannot think of a time when his music was not a part of my life. I am certain millions of others feel the same.
And in this group of millions are people who look, sound and live nothing similar to how I look, sound and live. The fact that someone in a far off part of the world that I do not even know exists, understands how I feel right now speaks of Jackson’s reach.
To say that Michael Jackson created music that sounded good is selling him short. What made him and his artistry remarkable is that it felt good. With his piercing vocals, often in depth lyrics, stellar production and likely the best dance moves of our lifetime – he was the epitome of the word entertainer.
Though many people would say entertaining was his forte, I argue that using entertainment to provide social commentary and inspire social change was his greatest strength.
With songs like “We are the World,” “Stranger in Moscow,” “Man in the Mirror,” “Another Part of Me,” “They Don’t Care about US” “Heal the World” and so many others, Jackson used his worldwide platform to expose us all to the harsh realities of the world.
A young boy from Gary, Indiana, a place known for its limited options, grew to become an icon who transcended race, gender, class, culture and other restricting barriers. Michael Jackson changed the world of music and as the first – and likely only – artist to sell a billion records, globally, he obviously touched many lives.
