Politics And Michael Jackson

My drive home turned into a "where were you when" moment last Thursday. I was listening to Mark Levin when he broke into a story coming over the AP wire about the passing of Michael Jackson. It had only been a few hours earlier when I saw were Farrah Fawcet had passed. I could only think of how June 25th was truly a tragic day. We lost two great icons. Then I started thinking how Michael Jackson affected the world.

I remember when I got my first Jackson 5 album. I remember buying the Thriller album from Columbia House Music Club. While I was not a maniac Michael Jackson fan, I enjoyed his music. Michael Jackson was one of the great talents. He transcended all of the political boundaries and created his own world. He was a kid who never knew how to grow up. He looked at the world through the eyes of a child.

Michael Jackson met with countless politicians from all countries including the famous trip to the White House with President Reagan. He was honored by President George H. W. Bush as the artist of the decade in 1989.

If only the politicians could have seen the world the way Michael Jackson saw it. Would we have the suffering that exist today? Would they continue to be fueled by their egos and power rather than helping a child make it to adulthood? As adults, we understand why there is suffering. Children just wonder why there is pain.

Michael Jackson felt that pain because he never quite grew up. Maybe we all need to take a step back and reflect on our own childhood days. The children of the world will grow up one day to become the next generation of leaders. I think we can change their attitudes by creating a sense of self worth rather than allowing them to see all of the war and devastation. A child who is shown the generosity of others will hopefully grow up to return the generosity to the next generation.

By changing our culture, we can make the world a better place for our children. Michael Jackson influenced many. He helped countless children and was even listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for supporting more charities than any other pop star. Children are the future of our world. Giving them hope for a better life is our only chance for true change.