After several days I have finally come to terms with the death of a music - no – world icon and Legend. I know I had a previous entry regarding this subject, but at the time I didn’t have much to say because I didn’t truly feel his loss and now I understand what it is that I am to say in regards to the man: And that is that he is one of the greatest human beings to ever walk the face of this Earth, an innovator who crushed the barriers between race in America, and most importantly, he is someone who taught us that anything is possible.

Many people of the younger generation do not understand the importance of Michael Jackson, letting derogatory shows such as South Park degrade his legacy and center the focus on his controversy, and not his ever-giving spirit. It is because of this constant mockery - even after he was declared innocent in a court of law - that Michael Jackson has been thought of with such negative terms by today’s youth. Few under the age of 15 seem to know of all the good that Michael Jackson has done for the world. From donating millions to charity, and breaking the racial barriers of American music and entertainment, which undoubtedly is one of the things that lead up to the United States appointing an African American as President of These United States. Few young members of America know of how he has tried to preserve the rainforests, and other aspects of our natural world, as well as the millions he donated to the Negro College Fund.

The fact of the matter is Michael Jackson never chose to become a celebrity. He was forced into show business by an abusive father, but in that career, at the age of 5 alongside his brothers, he became a celebrity. When, as a solo-performer, in the 1980s he released the revolutionary Thriller album he changed the music world forever. There, with his new found wealth, he tried to recreate the childhood he never had, retreating to his Neverland Ranch, where he wished to be as Peter Pan was: the boy who never grew up. The point of the matter is that Michael Jackson was not a devious child molester, or whatever other cynical speculations you may hear, because he was just too innocent. He was a child in an adult’s body, and as a result he was out of place in this serious world. He wanted to be a kid, and as a result he was scrutinized and exploited mercilessly by the cruel device we have called the media.

Michael Jackson is a legend who has passed away far too soon, but in some ways I am happy for Michael. No longer will he have to suffer under the cruel view of the media and those who went out to destroy him. He is now free from the prison that was a reality he was too naïve to exist in.

Long live the King of Pop, an icon whose legacy shall be cherished for generations to come.