Thu. Jul 02, 2009 | 7:45 AM

Al MJ.jpg

A week ago today the world lost an Icon.

And while the complete circumstances are still being sorted out, those of us touched by Michael Jackson are left to deal with the loss. Some of us have watched wall-to-wall coverage on news networks and video channels, others retreated to a quiet place, listened to some of his music - maybe even toasted to his life with a friend or two.

My experience was a bit surreal. I was actually on the air when news started to leak out and had the unfortunate responsibility of relaying the news to folks who had not yet heard. That duty and the gravity of the story, delayed my ability to really take in the news. Once I got home, I grabbed a bottle and was able to relax a bit and it all started to sink in a little more as I watched the news and read updates on Facebook. It also hit home a little more when I was asked to write a quote for a local newspaper. As I waited for friends to join me, I began to sip on my Moscoto and wrote the following statement:

For all the controversies, scandals and occasional absurd eccentrics ... I will remember Michael Jackson for his talent, innovation, his magnetic presence, his genius... His SOUL. MJ's impact on artistry, performance and music will last through the ages. His art touched people from all walks, faiths, creeds and colors. There isn't a corner of the world that escapes a feeling of loss today. We only get one Michael Jackson, and I had had the privilege to experience him for 36 years. Thanks Mike! (and by the way, you delivered one hell of a bridge!)

We all deal with death differently. When my father passed, telling stories and laughing with family helped me. Last week, writing those words helped start the coping process for me. Some may not understand how you react, grasp and cope with loss. But that's ok. Your grief is yours - their grief is theirs. There is no right or wrong way to mourn or to absorb loss. There is simply your way.

Now that we are a week removed I would like to know; How has the loss of Michael Jackson affected you? How did you deal with the news? What did MJ mean to you? Reading your words, sure would help me.


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Michael Jackson forever impacted the way that blacks as entertainers have been viewed by the world. His success along with Quincy Jones in video production, music, merchandising and branding have made it possible for other black success stories for people like Russell Simmons, Run DMC, Diddy, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Usher, Chris Brown, Hype Williams...etc. His true impact not only in the music industry, but on the world has been lost amid certain alligations essencially robbing many of the experience that is MJ. The thought of never being able to share him with my children or of his own children not being able to appreciate his magic and gifts is very sad. My sincere hope at this point is that the adults who are left to deal with the situation make the best interest of his children their primary focus. I also hope we all as human beings have learned the importance of appreciating people while they are still here. Its important to know how much you are loved. Death is really too late.
Posted by Tara Dickerson 07/08/09 9:05 AM
 
u r not alone ..... i am here wit u, though ur far away "micheal" is here to stay in our hearts..... though were far apart he would never leave our heart... micheal jackson gone too soon. he healed d world... we sang his songs in tribute to mj, after his service. heal the world make it a better place 4 u an 4 me an d entire human race there r people dying if we care enough 4 d livin make a better place 4 u an 4 me.... our children god spare life an i reach my destination i'd send u a photo of it sure mj would like it.....cant say more..... i love mj....
Posted by mindy rosales 07/07/09 4:03 PM
 
truely an inspiration..... blessed,not a word out there to discribe him..... i cried the first time i heard the news of his death. but not as much as i did the night when i came home i cried as if he was my father that died. didn't believe it for a sec. i had plans, should i say dreams of havin my own business...which maybe i'm dreaming a little too much but but i had "hope" at the opening of my building micheal jackson was supposed to be a guess......be i live in little trinidad but he was once here.....gone too soon. watched his memorial service on tv his daughter touched my heart....my only question is does any of his children sing? mj is now singing for god.... my belief.
Posted by mindy rosales 07/07/09 3:46 PM
 
I felt so hurt that he was attacked so much and misunderstood. He had so much talent and never really had a chance to be the young child. I turn 50 the end of this month, when I heard Michael was 50 I was shocked. What a shame that he left this life, he had so much more to give. Watching the media involved with all the the world watching, I pray they give him the peace he so often searched for. It seems most of the media is remembering his talent and the good things he has done. I enjoyed seeing all the older photos of him, he was a joy to watch. Music was the way I recused my soul from the uglyness that was in parts of my life. Michael's music was part of his soul. Thank you Michael for touching my soul and giving me hope, love and understanding. I pray you feel the peace in your soul that the world has tried to steal from you for years.
Posted by Theresa Gardner 07/07/09 3:19 PM
 
I remember when I first met Michael and his family that was about 30 yrs. ago , it was in New Orleans , he was as kind and sweet as many people know. Michael was a kid at heart , my heart goes out to his family and his 3 beautiful children. All the negative things said about Michael in the past , maybe they will let him be and RIP.
Posted by Bettina Pratt 07/07/09 3:10 PM
 
I GREW UP WITH MICHAEL,I FELL IN LOVE WITH HIM FROM THE FIRST TIME I HEARD "BEN",RIGHT NOW I AT LOST FOR WORDS,WE HAVE LOST HIM LET US NOT LOSE THE LOVE THAT HE GAVE TO ALL FREELY IN HIS MUSIC,HIS SONG "SPEECHLESS" CONVEY HOW I TRUELY FEEL RIGHT NOW,I AM BROKEN HEARTED.I WILL NEVER FORGET HIM.LOVE ALWAYS .
Posted by Anonymous 07/07/09 2:47 PM
 
I WAS TOUCHED BY THE ALL OF A SUDDEN PASSING OF MICHAEL JACKSON.... IT TOUCHED MY HEART FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS TWO OF WHICH HE WAS DEALING WITH LONLINESS AND DEALING WITH INSECURITIES AND HOW HE DEALT WITH ABUSE AS A CHILD AND HOW IT AFFECTED HIM AS AN ADULT.... HE WAS A VERY TALENTED MAN BUT ALOT OF HIS TROUBLES OVERSHADOWED HIS TALENTS AT TIMES.... THE MEMORIAL WAS NICE TODAY AND VERY POSITIVE.... HE DEFINITELY WILL BE MISSED
Posted by MONET BANKS 07/07/09 2:47 PM
 
MICHAEL JACKSON.GRACIAS POR EXISTIR,Y POR HACERNOS CRECER CON TU MUSICA, QUE DIOS TE TENGA EN SU GLORIA QUE NOSOTROS SIEMPRE TE LLEVAREMOS EN UN LADITO DE NUESTROS CORAZONES.Y UN FUERTE ABRAZO PARA LA FAMILIA JACKSON, Y SOBRE TODOS TU HIJOS LOS CUALES LES HA ESTADO MUY FURETE TU IDA ,QUE DIOS TE BENDIGA, GRACIAS
Posted by victoria jimenez 07/07/09 2:13 PM
 
MICHAEL JACKSON.GRACIAS POR EXISTIR,Y POR HACERNOS CRECER CON TU MUSICA, QUE DIOS TE TENGA EN SU GLORIA QUE NOSOTROS SIEMPRE TE LLEVAREMOS EN UN LADITO DE NUESTROS CORAZONES.Y UN FUERTE ABRAZO PARA LA FAMILIA JACKSON, Y SOBRE TODOS TU HIJOS LOS CUALES LES HA ESTADO MUY FURETE TU IDA ,QUE DIOS TE BENDIGA, GRACIAS
Posted by victoria jimenez 07/07/09 2:12 PM
 
I was shocked and in total disbelief..When it hit me, I couldnt think of anything else...Couldnt really cry for almost 10 days..I dont think anyone really had to "know" him to really "know" him or love him..His sweet spirit, his loving and generous heart is what I will remember of MJ.. He is the only man who could touch me without ever meeting him...I truly love him..We share a very similar past..I too was an abused Jehovah's Witness child, my childhood was stolen from me too...In many many ways... I think those who think they understood him can really only do so if they had that same experience. For those of us who did,we understood his language..OUR language. MJ leaves a legacy of love for me and is a true inspiration to me to be a better person, for that and so many other things, I love and thank him for sharing his life with us...
Posted by Angela McKeithen 07/06/09 8:23 PM
 
Upon hearing the news of MJ, I thought it was a joke at first or some publicity stunt. I stayed up till the wee hours of the morning waiting to see if there was any updates saying a different story. I was really saddened when i realized that what i was hearing and seeing was 100% true. I was a bit depressed the day after, turned on the radio, all i can hear were MJ tributes and his songs flooding the airwaves. Michael was an innovative person. He was really caring, giving and sincere. Although in the face of so much adversity and negative tabloids (which i failed to believe) he is the best performer and one of the most talented persons to have ever lived. I'm a bit happy for him now that he is free and can finally be happy.
Posted by Alicia 07/06/09 12:52 PM
 
I felt very guilty when I heard about Michael's death. Because I have my 49 year old brother in a hospital in Virginia. He's with us but not with us. His mind is gone but his heart is strong. The reason why I feel or felt so guilty was how can God keep my brother here on earth the way he is and take someone like Michael Jackson. Don't get me wrong I do love my brother but how can god keep him the way he is. He can't walk or even go to the bathroom him self. I was fighting with myself on these feelings. I did cry on the third day after the news. But, came to a conclusion that this is God's doing there is a reason it happen I might not know and Michael's family and fans might not know but it's done. So, I would like to say to Michael's family and to all his fans GOD BLESS! to each of you and may we all remember the times that Michael was here on this earth. Mary
Posted by Mary Prochacki 07/06/09 11:29 AM
 
Michael Jackson had a unique talent, but for me it was overshadowed by his personal craziness. He went thru plastic surgeries, and obliterated his ehtnic identity; he fooled around with little boys (whether sexually or just having young "playmates," it was not good behavior), and he ran around wearing masks and face scarfs. Hmmm. He was the perfect example of what happens when no one feels they can say "NO" to a celebrity. In this case, it was worse because it started out when Michael was a child. It makes me just about gag when I hear the comments that he was such a black icon, and such an embodiment of what Dr. King and others fought for. Hello??? The man had surgery that removed all traces of a black man, and replaced it with an androgenous white woman.
Posted by ReneeJ 07/06/09 7:48 AM
 
My family was touched by Michael Jackson when he spent the whole day with my cousin Felisha before she passed. I drew a portrait of MJ to pay tribute to him, and you can see it on Twitter @ponchaveli_com. My condolences go out to the Jackson family. Michael will always be remembered. www.ponchaveli.com
Posted by Ponchaveli.com 07/06/09 1:52 AM
 
I'm turning 50 in Aug. and grew up always listening to Michael...used to go to the disco's and dance to his music. I may not have always agreed with the choices he made in life, but respected his genius with the artistic gift of music and dance God blessed him with. As a Mom, I pray for comfor for Michael's Mom during this sad time.
Posted by ritam 07/05/09 5:55 PM



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