I have always loved an underdog. I cry for the losers and I root for them until the end. This is sometimes a conflict with my husband when I root against Tiger Woods, who is clearly no loser, and is clearly my husband's hero.
In the height of Michael Jackson becoming a crazy person that people mocked in the early 1990's, I named my bunny "Michael J" in tribute to this man who was once an adorable black kid and who I truly believed was still a wonderful person and artist. Even through the end I have believed the story that Michael Jackson is a tortured soul who is stuck in childhood and who never really did anything wrong. No, don't get me wrong, I wasn't standing outside the court house releasing dove's for each not guilty verdict, but I did think he was probably wronged.
I think it is part of who I am to give people the benefit of the doubt. Life is scary and sad if you don't have this habit.
So I want to remember Michael Jackson fondly. Here is my list of happy thoughts about Michael J, the man, not the bunny:
1. The Jackson 5 Christmas album that is our family's favorite. I especially like where little Michael says, "Yeah, but my list means more than fun. Love and peace for everyone." Nothing like a Motown Christmas and little boy with all kinds of soul.
2. The Billie Jean video. Nothing says Saturday morning hanging out with my brother and sister as kids like "Billie Jean's not my lover, she's just a girl who says that I am the one. But the ???? is not my son." We thought the missing word was Chad ... not child or kid or whatever it is.
3. The Black or White video. Cool and creepy at the same time, this video had that amazing face-morphing-thing at the end of the song that morphed all kinds of people together. Really cool. Then it got creepy and had 10 minutes of Michael Jackson looting an empty city street. That part of the video was never really seen again, but I remember watching it in full the night of the premiere.
4. Heal the World. Make it a better place -- I specifically remember watching this song during the Super Bowl Half Time. But I also remember singing it in junior high choir!! Awesome!
5. The Jackson's -- A made-for-TV movie. I remember learning about Michael Jackson's childhood through a TV movie. This is where I bonded with young Michael and decided to just love him forever.
Done. That is my list. Rest in peace.
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