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Unexpectedly, tears came to my eyes many times during the Michael Jackson memorial. Alone, I had cried a few times in the days immediately following Jackson's death: listening over and over again to the music of my 70's childhood. I was mourning an artist who gave me so much.
But as I settled in and watched Michael Jackson's shining casket being brought in, I knew the tone would be just right; not the garish, disjointed concert fest I had feared.
There were many wonderful moments. Almost every one of the performances and testimonials hit the right notes of celebration, honor and loss. But there were a few that really stood out for me in terms of creating a final and cathartic, "Goodbye." ...
Michael Jackson Memorial
Brooke Shields (L), Janet Jackson (2nd L), Prince Michael Jackson II (3rd L), La Toya Jackson (C), and Paris Jackson (3rd R) join with others in singing during the memorial service for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles July 7, 2009. REUTERS/Mark J. Terrill/Pool (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT OBITUARY)
Reuters
Singer Jermaine Jackson performs at the Michael Jackson public memorial service held at Staples Center in Los Angeles July 7, 2009. A Gospel choir singing "We're going to see the king" launched an emotional public memorial for Michael Jackson on Tuesday as the music world and thousands of fans bade farewell to the singer known as the "King of Pop." REUTERS/ Kevork Djansezian/Pool (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT OBITUARY IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Reuters
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 07: Jermaine Jackson performs during the Michael Jackson public memorial service held at Staples Center on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Jackson, the iconic pop star, died at the age of 50 at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Wally Skalij-Pool/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jermaine Jackson
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 07: Actress Brooke Shields speaks at the Michael Jackson public memorial service held at Staples Center on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Jackson, the iconic pop star, died at the age of 50 at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mario Anzuoni-Pool/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brooke Shields
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 07: Actress Brooke Shields speaks at the Michael Jackson public memorial service held at Staples Center on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Jackson, the iconic pop star, died at the age of 50 at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mario Anzuoni-Pool/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brooke Shields
Getty Images
Paris Katherine Jackson, daughter of Michael Jackson, leans on Janet Jackson, sister of the late pop star, at the Michael Jackson public memorial service held at Staples Center in Los Angeles July 7, 2009. Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder and Usher led an emotional public memorial for Michael Jackson on Tuesday as the music world, the Jackson family and thousands of fans bade farewell to the "King of Pop." Siblings Randy Jackson and La Toya Jackson stand together with son of Michael Jackson, Prince Michael Jackson II (or Blanket). REUTERS/ Kevork Djansezian/Pool (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT OBITUARY)
Reuters
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 07: Singer Shaheen Jafargholi performs at the Michael Jackson public memorial service held at Staples Center on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Jackson, 50, the iconic pop star, died at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Shaheen Jafargholi
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 07: Singer Shaheen Jafargholi performs at the Michael Jackson public memorial service held at Staples Center on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Jackson, 50, the iconic pop star, died at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Shaheen Jafargholi
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 07: Actress Brooke Shields speaks at the Michael Jackson public memorial service held at Staples Center on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Jackson, the iconic pop star, died at the age of 50 at UCLA Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest at his rented home on June 25 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mario Anzuoni-Pool/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brooke Shields
Getty Images
Vendors selling t-shirst and soda hustle their wares outside the Staples Center as the Michael Jackson Memorial Service is held on July 7, 2009 in Los Angeles. Michael Jackson died on June 25 at the age of 50. AFP PHOTO/Paul J. Richards (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
+ VIDEOS: Michael Jackson Memorial Service
My favorite testimonial was given by Al Sharpton. Say what you will about other aspects of him. Sharpton's devotion to Michael Jackson is fierce and his clarity around Jackson's contribution to American culture crystal clear.
He created a comfort level, where people that felt they were separate became interconnected with his music. ... Those young kids grew up from being teenage, comfortable fans of Michael's to being 40 years old and being comfortable to vote for a person of color to be the president of the United States of America. Michael did that. Michael made us love each other. Michael taught us to stand with each other." - The Rev. Al Sharpton. via Associated Press
And then Sharpton spoke directly to Michael's beautiful children. Saying aloud what many of us have wondered about before:
"Wasn't nothing strange about your daddy, what was strange was what he had to deal with."
Lionel Ritchie laid it down with "Jesus is love." Stevie Wonder began with his 1971 song, "Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer" and then switched into "They Won't Go When I Go." Queen Latifah read Dr. Maya Angelou's "We had him."
Jennifer Hudson was a lovely vision in white. John Mayer made is guitar strings sing out "Human Nature." Brooke Shields' shared open and down to earth reminiscences of how she and her friend loved to laugh together. Coretta Scott King's children spoke of how Michael Jackson called and cheered their ailing mother. Big brother Jermaine sang his little brother's favorite song, "Smile."
What wrecked me every time, was when the guests would walk off stage and hug each grieving family member. I felt that. And finally, perhaps the most astonishing heart pull was when Michael Jackson's 11 year old daughter, Paris, stepped up to the mic and declared her love for her father:
"I just wanted to say ... ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father ... you could ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him ... so much."
And like so many other barriers Michael Jackson demolished, now the world has experienced a traditionally African American "homegoing" service.
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By: Afordlove on 7/08/2009 10:30PM
Now we as a people can focus on getting Michael Jackson Statue put in front of Staple Center Los Angeles for his Arts, Music, and Love of all people around this world. When you have Magic, Wayne, Oscar, from the Sports World. Why not have Michael for his Music and Love. Amen
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By: Cheryl E. on 7/09/2009 12:13AM
Everyday, these words keep echoing in my mind "What am I going to do without you, Michael?" I was at a party supply store with my two children on June 25 when my oldest son showed me a text he had received about Michael's death. Of course I couldn't believe it until I received a text from my sister. How I wanted to cry right then and there, but that was not the place to do it. Driving home, radio stations were already playing his songs, which I could not stand to hear at the time because I couldn't believe he was gone. Finally arriving home and seeing it for myself on CNN, I broke down. I kept thinking, if all over the world, people are mourning and grieving his loss, how in the world are his family and children able to deal with the sudden loss of their beloved son, brother and father! Being a teacher and home for the summer, I was able to watch most of the coverage and fill up several tapes with all the specials and videos that have aired on tv. I found all of the Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson 45's and albums in my closet and started playing them. At my son's 18th birthday party, the DJ played a medley of Michael's songs and it was so moving to see his friends get up and start dancing to his music! And when the DJ played "Thriller, my youngest son got up and started dancing like Michael and he is so shy around people that no one could believe he was up dancing! This is the kind of effect Michael is having on the world!
My heart ached and I cried so many times during the memorial, especially during Jermaine, Usher and Stevie Wonder's performances and of course when the family joined the others on stage and hearing Marlon talk to Michael about his twin brother and then seeing Paris take the microphone and break down was just unbearable. Lord, bless and heal us all. Never would I have thought one man would have this much an effect on the world when he passed! "What am I going to do without you, Michael?"
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By: dominique on 7/09/2009 12:43AM
Michael Jackson we will miss
i dont care if somebody come in this world 2 day or 2 morrow there will never be another Michael Jackson . u know u was a bad man if u made a grown man cry , so rest in peace iand u will never be forgot
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By: Dutchess on 7/09/2009 2:46AM
I was elated by the news and as the time went by I became very greatful that he has been given this time of rest in hopes that one day he might rise again in the last day (05/11/2011). Please keep reading, Thank you.
It would have been good if the gracious knowledge/words of truth regarding Michael's character that was mentioned @ his services could have been told by these same people while he was alive to hear it and perhaps it could have been a strength to Michael, in such a great way for this great Man!
Things I never knew about Him as a personal friend to others and co-artist was all so heart warming and yet it added more sorrow to me especially on how Michael was so much different than that of what the world was betraying Him to be. It just made me Love and Miss Him more.
I, perhaps just as many of us did wanted a chance to speak with Michael just to encourage Him to live out His life with His head up and that I believe He should know that He was living His life the way many of us would have loved to live it but was afraid of how others wouldn't let you because we have made it up in society-mind what is the norm even if it means not to be you/yourself and that with goodwill!
Michael's Carisma was His Gold and no one can dispute it simply because it was real, ligitimate, Fierce!
Think about this, world/people "if you will" a true milestor not only admits it's acts but will show no remorse nor emotion of heart brokeness or make determination to prove it's inocense as Michael decides to finally do, by not backing down to what He believe in, inspite of the public, such as Michael honestly, displayed in public to wether you agree/believe to it or not.
A milestor gets off on talking about it's acts once they're caught ask any criminal mind.
I watched Michael, I believed Michael, I grew up w/Michael, I love Michael because that's what Michael wanted, that's all He wanted and He had it with His Children and Family regardless.
Now we can all just stop guessing and relax and hear the truth through the words/lyrics of Michaels songs. They will tell you alot of who Michael really was/is. Thank you for this chance to speak to Mr Michael Jackson.
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By: JoEl on 7/09/2009 6:10AM
Reguardless of all of that foolishness that folks, not just white, said about Micheal the truth is that he did more than any man has ever done on this planet. He showed us how we were suppose to love each other. It was up to us to listen. I cried when they brought him out in that box cause i knew then that it was real. I cried when Brooke tried to hold it in. But really did it for me was when that baby got up there and talked about her daddy being the best father. And like Marlon said, lets see what they say about him now that he's home in glory.
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By: NANA KOFI AGYEMANG ODENEHO KATAKYIE on 7/10/2009 5:50PM
I think it is about time that all the black people love their people no matter what. They trash Micheal out jeolousy ,they say things about him that is not necessary. What he did in this world , nobody can ever , i say again nobody will ever be able to be like him. I always love micheal not because he was black but i saw him pave way for so many people and was a the greatest entertainer ever to be in this univers. Now he is gone and they are showing him how they love and respect him. Let's take Britney Spears for example, all the white people including blacks want her to survive and come back again, but Micheal's was different,our own black people will sit on tv and talk bad about him making jokes and all that , but believe if he was your family member , i think they will respect him and adore him as well . He is gone and it HURTS SO BAD . Now all those that tried to take his money because they think they can,can now run after him . He is gone and never will we see him again. They sue him out GREEDINESS . I believe that what ever evil you do will always live after you , so here we go to all those GREEDY PEOPLE you have something coming to you at the end of your life. God is going to ask you why you made Micheal suffer by lying about him things he did not do you accused him of . But i know that probably he (Micheal) is there pleading on your behalf for forgiveness. BLACK PEOPLE THIS IS FOR YOU ALL TRY TO LOVE YOUR OWN AND HELP THEM TO SUCCED INSTEAD OF HATING. It's abot time that we take school seriously and become the future doctor's and prominent figures and not have our children indulge in having kids at younger age . WE SHALL OVER COME . THIS IS THE BEGINNING AND NOT THE END .
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By: SCHOOLBOY on 7/18/2009 12:56PM
MICHAEL JACKSON KING OF POP GOD BLESS YOUR PARENTS.
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By: JEAN on 7/21/2009 1:28AM
MRS. KATHARINE, YOU ARE LOVELY MOTHER MY PRAYER IS WITH YOU AND YOUR LOVELY FAMILY THE LORD IS WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF WAY.
GOD BLESSES YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
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