Michael Jackson recently passed away (most likely from issues related to the misuse of drugs) and the Unites States news media has responded to a national feeding frenzy of public concern and mourning. It is as if a person of great historical dimensions has left the nation alone and greatly diminished. While many have elevated him to a royal presence (he was the King of Pop after all), let’s look at the reality of what he did and how that balances with the cultures response.
Michael was truly a gifted entertainer and unique in many ways. He was musically amazing, artistically innovative, and one-of-a-kind as a dancer-choreographer. The whole world recognizes that. He also broke ground racially by crossing barriers within television and pop music, uniting listeners with his unique sound and style. However, he, like Elvis and countless other pop-icons, was a deeply troubled person who was ravaged by fame and consumed with self.
Even with his contributions to the arts - entertaining millions, amusing and diverting their attention from the realities of life - he left no real legacy that changed or elevated humanity. His moon-walking was amazing, but his earth-talking was bereft of unique human insight worthy of historical note. It is clear he was loved by his family (as tearfully expressed by his daughter at his memorial), and adored by many others. Great, but isn’t everybody loved by somebody?
What does Jesus, Buddha, or Mohammed say about Michael’s life? Did he alleviate poverty or, by some great sacrifice of self, time, or money, model for us how to deepen or better our lives? Hardly. Of course, neither did Elvis, James Brown, or… pick your own famous “star.” These artists were certainly not remembered for their charity work or altering of human behavior, but rather their entertainment value.
So what does Michael’s death tell us? It tells us that we are a society desperate for meaning and our cultural perspectives are bankrupt. Like ancient Rome, we’re a civilization in great decline. Sadly, we’d rather be entertained than challenged to change, “rocked” rather than redeemed, and aroused rather than re-directed; and that is … the bottom line.
adeolumen
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Michael Jackson and conspiracy theories? For anyone tracking the MJ saga and interested in media analysis from a deeper, spiritual "stronghold" perspective may want to watch Lenon Honor's films (www.lenonhonorfilms.com) "What Lies in Plain Sight" and "Beat It Jerk." His stuff is unique & informative. But it is not for children, so if you watch, do so wisely. The subject matter is pretty serioius. He also connects MJ's music with the conspiracy narrative. On this line, please find this poll, where I ask for public perception of elites in government, business, and media working together, purposely avoiding visibility before the American people. http://adeolumen.com/2009/07/06/july-4th-poll-collecting-data-for-the-month-of-july/ I've been surprised to find many millions of page views on blogs, videos, etc. that place cultural and historical events within a conspiracy narrative. Yet, this is not a narrative approached with any seriousness in mainstream news coverage, though with folks like Glen Beck you see these themes come up fairly frequently. This entire media ecology intrigues me. You? Perception is reality in politics. That's why I am doing this poll. The simple fact that so many people visit these sites make the conspiracy narrative and its influence worthy of objective analysis. We all know that belief has major political implications, whatever the belief may be. Feel free to forward the link above to others, or include in your blog. Results will be published in early August. I am eager to see what people think. Thanks! |
Erin Oostra
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WAKE UP Wow. Someone has finally stated cold hard facts and I am in full agreement. This is where America needs to really wake up! I, as a 16 year old girl, believe that this country should not have so much emphasis on the celebrity culture. America should devote more time to current events and raising up a generation that seeks the heart of God. This isn't so much about Michael Jackson as it is about the sad culture of America. Is the celebrity live all we live for? If so, where is our nation going? Wake up America!!! |
Kayla Roberts
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another Heath Ledger... That is really good, Erin! Why is this present culture so centered on celebrities? I used to think that it was only the youth that got caught up in the popular culture frenzy, but the death of MIchael Jackson raised much wider range of crowds. This reminds me of the sudden death of Heath Ledger a year ago. I believe that mourning for any death is appropriate because these are real lives we are talking about. However, when "Dark Knight" posters were selling for hundreds (perhaps thousands) of dollars, that is crossing the line. I must admit that the death of both these celebrities saddened me greatly. Again, these are real lives! The are more than a voice on a CD or a face on a screen. The problem is that people have stopped looking at stars as "real" and put them on the pedestal of "idols." This must stop. |
Dennis P.
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Response to Kayla Kayla, I appreciate your comments. One of the signs of a deteriorating culture (Rome), is the amount of attention that goes into entertainment, which is another form, for many, of escape. Both of the artists that you mention were truly great performers. Unfortunately, the lifestyle and the responsibility of being a superstar overwhelmingly produced lives that collapsed under the pressure, but in our culture, there's always a new set of idols more than willing to take their place. They of course, have no idea of the risks and dangers which accompany their choices. A sign of a truly healthy culture is honoring character even more than engiftment, and sadly, we are some distance from that. |
Kayla Roberts
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still have questions... That is so true Mr. Peacock. I have never thought about it in that way. There certainly is a cyclical pattern when it comes to stars and celebrities. It makes me think of the whole phenomenon of Miley Cirus, the Jonas Brothers, even Zak Effron, and other such young celebrities that rose to fame seemingly overnight. And that is right; they have no idea what they are getting themselves into. Talent is there of course, but when all eight year old girls wear are Jonas Brother shirts, something is very off. My question is this: what can I do about it? I'm 18 years old, and I am very much not into the "High School Musical"/"Hannah Montana" stuff, but is that enough? How can I as an individual pull the culture out of a pop culture mentality? I would love for others of all differing ages to give their opinions on these questions. |
Jessica Rankin
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... Amen to everything this article says Pastor Dennis! When Michael Jackson died, I was saddened/shocked more by the response of the world than I was by his actual death. He showed more than almost any other artist the dualism of our culture today. Michael Jackson was a depraved drug addict. His life was so desolate and his mind was so warped by fame that he ruined his face with multiple surgeries, held his kids off of balconies, and took drugs until they killed him. And yet, America still praises him as the “King of Pop.” I will admit that I agree with the fact that he was an amazing singer, dancer and performer on stage, but that is no excuse for the horrible way that he lived his life and is in no way a justification for the worship that America is giving him. Much greater men than Michael Jackson have passed away without so much as a headline in the newspaper. Jackson’s funeral is still being re-played on late night shows, people are still buying the albums that he never released, and America/the world is still giving worship to an unworthy idol. Looking back at performers like Elvis Presley, we don’t see his dancing as too vulgar or inappropriate in our culture now. But during that time, his dancing actually was considered inappropriate. When he was played on television, they only filmed him from stomach up because they didn’t want people to see the way he moved his hips. If we look at the performances that are being played on national television now, the outfits alone being worn on stage are completely inappropriate, not too mention the dancing that goes on. If we’ve moved from praising men like Elvis Presley to Michael Jackson in the last few decades, it makes me wonder what type of men America will be worshipping a few decades from now... |
