tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935942607987614770.post7272175458643798232..comments2023-08-06T10:20:26.565-04:00Comments on Retired Pastor Ruminates: Where I Ruminate on the Death of Michael Jackson and the Culture of CelebrityRichard L. Floydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12113908222186199761noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935942607987614770.post-19781018653326243512009-06-27T19:19:06.132-04:002009-06-27T19:19:06.132-04:00Thanks for this Rick - I whole heartedly agree.
Ho...Thanks for this Rick - I whole heartedly agree.<br />How many remember Mother Theresa's death? Not so many I'm afraid, because she died the same day as Princess Di. And we all remember what a media circus that was.<br /><br />It is a sad commentary on our cultural values to see what is lauded and remembered.<br /><br />I can appreciate Michael Jackson's gift for entertainment - musically, creatively - and the groundbreaking nature of his performances in the early 80's. But I don't think I can call it beautiful.Gailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08128023280273950248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935942607987614770.post-51202196093259738352009-06-27T18:10:57.540-04:002009-06-27T18:10:57.540-04:00I guess I have a very different take on the death ...I guess I have a very different take on the death of dear Michael, Rick. I am sensitive to the cult of personality - the secular spirituality of this age - that has replaced authentic spirituality. And I am often sickened by the ghoulishness of the media in times such as these.<br /><br />At the same time, those who don't appreciate popular culture aren't attuned to what his tragic mix of vulnerability and beauty brought to the world (as you note in your introduction.) MJ is NOT the equivalent of Gandhi or Mother Teresa - such hyperbole is foolish and shallow - but too often we denigrate the role of the entertainer in advancing the cause of beauty in the world. And Michael gave us beauty in a way that reverberates in people throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and the America - in fact well beyond even our imagination.<br /><br />In a way, I see his beauty as soul food - a sign of both the blessings he shared with the world and our own desperate need for signs of hope in these hard time - so I don't want to minimize or even trivialize his gifts or death. Indeed, I would encourage relistening to his "Man in the Mirror."<br /><br />I give thanks to God for the gifts that were shared with us through Michael Jackson, I grieve his brokenness and am sad over his untimely death. Like Marvin Gaye before him there was depth and truth, flaw and sin all too close to the surface of this ambiguous public figure.<br /> <br />There is probably more to say but... that's enough for now.RJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13545420303456278246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935942607987614770.post-10265537100012954292009-06-27T17:04:24.431-04:002009-06-27T17:04:24.431-04:00Well said, Rick. I grew up with the family music ...Well said, Rick. I grew up with the family music acts--Jackson 5 and Osmond Borthers and huddled around the dorm living TV to watch the Thriller video dubit on MTV. The music was good, the dancing phenomenal and the special efects and costuming always first rate. But teh personal life was disturbing. Maybe it's "our" fault--we put such expectations on celebrities and going from cute child star to King of Pop MJ never expereinced normal and had no barometer for his lifestyle. After he held the baby out the window some clever genius made an on-line arcade game called catch the baby where MJ would drop babies out different windos and you moved a basket to catch them... He was talented, yes, Tragic, yes. But he was no JFK, RFK, MLK Jr--people who truly worked for the transformation of our world and culture.<br /><br />Keep the good thoughts coming...<br />Kim KieKim Kiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16568057291699850633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935942607987614770.post-19836145743722846262009-06-27T12:49:36.905-04:002009-06-27T12:49:36.905-04:00I agree, I've been wondering what all the fuss...I agree, I've been wondering what all the fuss is about in the media. There are reports of major spikes traffic on Twitter and Facebook, but it seems to me that in recent years most of the interest in Jackson was based on his weirdness, not fandom, not musical appreciation. He was not a celebrity being "celebrated," he was a has-been about whom people had some morbid curiosity. The media reaction is way over the top, especially newspapers with full front-page treatment.Martin Langeveldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05745134335677178737noreply@blogger.com