Memorial: Michael Jackson Remembered

Michael Jackson’s memorial held Tuesday at the Los Angeles Staples Center shows that in life as well as death, the “King of Pop” can unify people and inspire compassion in ways our world has rarely seen.

31.3 million people tuned in via television, according to Nielsen Ratings, and many more watched the broadcast in movie theaters and public areas around the world.  The event was also streamed online through CNN.com allowing millions to access the memorial through laptops, desktops and cellphones.  Packed to a capacity of 20,000, the Staples Center came under the media’s full weight giving everyone a chance to pay their respects to, as Motown founder Berry Gordy put it, “The greatest entertainer that ever lived.”

After sound issues delayed the start of the event a cavalcade of entertainers, friends and family from Al Sharpton to Brooke Shields and Usher to Stevie Wonder, grabbed the microphone to perform or share insightful memories about the life of Michael Jackson.

It began with Smokey Robinson reading a letter from Nelson Mandela that illustrated Michael’s inspiration in the struggle to overcome apartheid South Africa, “We had great admiration for his talents and his ability to triumph over anything.”

Al Sharpton continued this message in a fiery oratory that brought the crowd to fervor with particular emphasis on Michael Jackson’s ability to break down color barriers and create a comfort level between people through his music.  In the background was a black and white photo of Michael posing.  Highlighted over it, was one of his messages, “There’s nothing that can’t be done if we raise our voice as one.”

The memorial, broadcast through all forms of modern media, framed that Michael Jackson seems to belong to the public.  Having grown up under its watchful eye, beginning at such a young age, we the world are his family.  “He was ours, and we were his,” Queen Latifah said in an emotional eulogy, “You believe in Michael.  He believed in you.  He made you believe in yourself.”

In all, this was Michael Jackson’s chance to redeem himself to the public.  Showcased Tuesday, were not his amazing song and dance talents, but his heart, compassion, shyness and humor, which for once overshadowed the tabloid circus that has surrounded him the past couple decades.  

In a silent moment between speakers and performers, an audience member could be heard screaming what all viewers and attendees felt as we gave our appreciation one last time, “I love you Michael.”  The world loves him, and as Pastor Lucious Smith put it, “Michael wanted nothing more than to give love to the world.”