PAYING MICHAEL FORWARD…I You WE

Posted on April 28, 2013 by jrling

“When you want to be close to me, just listen to my music. The love is stored there and will never die.” Michael Jackson

Holding onto what I know to be true is a slippery slope. The twists and turns, the sliding and falling flat can leave scars of doubt. And, every now and then, deciding to just keep it simple and stay down crosses my mind. But, there is this nagging thought that creeps into my defeat and won’t let go. LOVE! The most beautiful four-letter word in the English language. It is the common thread in everything. I can’t let it go. My hand keeps reaching out to hold onto it.

Looking back on this week in spring, it has been a struggle to hold onto what I know…not because it isn’t the truth…but, because I have been weakened thinking about what is ahead. The impending extortionist accusatons and the enormity of information I have gathered detailing the horrors done to Michael by the media in the last two decades…weakens me…such a barage of meanness. Although the most recent NEWSWEEK magazine TRIBUTE is a step forward…myth crystalizing is present. Once again, Michael’s artistry, vision and sexuality are targeted. Hatred is powerful. It is high-pitched and repetitive. And, it is seductive. You are drawn in by self-righteous words and psychoanalytical jargon. Before you know it, you have been pulled under. You kick and scream hoping someone is listening to your pain. “DON’T IT MAKE YOU WANNA SCREAM!” I absolutely know I do not possess the bravery that Michael had…his ability to create astounding music while being hit upon by literally thousands of so-called journalists. He said he took the negative energy around him and turned it into a creation…a poem or a lyric or a parable. I am continually strengthened by his journey, his choices, his determination, his faith in God and his love for people and care for children and the planet.

And so, this evening, I turn to Michael’s words for strength. I turn to his life’s work…and, I am empowered by the millions of FANS around the world who are doing the same. Because, this week, I have discovered so many voices to help me feel stronger… the lovely people who have discovered this blog and are learning what I have learned. And, of course, God.

So, let me share some of Michael’s words. As I write them, I feel better. I am sending them to you to do the same. Together We can find our way…

PAYING MICHAEL FORWARD http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClaDyf_Y-24

“I said you had to do it. You said you didn’t want to. We talked about it, and we agreed that maybe I could help.

I said you were wrong. You insisted you were right. We held each other’s hand, and right and wrong disappeared.

I began crying. You began crying. We embraced, and between us grew a flower of peace.

How I love this mystery called We! Where does it come from, out of thin air? I thought about this mystery, and I realized something: We must be love’s favorite child, because until I reach out for you, We is not even there. It arrives on the wings of tenderness; it speaks through our silent understanding. When I laugh at myself it smiles. When I forgive you, it dances in jubilation.

So We is not a choice anymore, not if you and I want to grow with one another. We unites us, increases our strength; it picks up our burden when you and I are ready to let it fall. The truth is that you and I would have given up long ago, but We won’t let us. It is too wise. ‘Look into your hearts,’ it says. ‘What do you see? Not you and I, but only We.'” Michael Jackson DANCING THE DREAM 1992

“Michael Jackson’s art transcended every way that human beings have thought of to separate themselves and then healed those divisions, at least at the instant that we all shared his music as the globally understood grammar of hope. His language was the language of joy and love.” Michael Eric Dyson Ebony Magazine

BERLIN 1989

THEY HATED THE WALL, BUT WHAT COULD THEY DO? IT WAS TOO STRONG TO BREAK THROUGH.

THEY FEARED THE WALL, BUT DIDN’T THAT MAKE SENSE? MANY WHO TRIED TO CLIMB OVER IT WERE KILLED.

THEY DISTRUSTED THE WALL, BUT WHO WOULDN’T? THEIR ENEMIES REFUSED TO TEAR DOWN ONE BRICK, NO MATTER HOW LONG THE PEACE TALKS DRAGGED ON.

THE WALL LAUGHED GRIMLY. “I’M TEACHING YOU A GOOD LESSON,” IT BOASTED. “IF YOU WANT TO BUILD FOR ETERNITY, DON’T BOTHER WITH STONES. HATRED, FEAR, AND DISTRUST ARE SO MUCH STRONGER.”

THEY KNEW THE WALL WAS RIGHT, AND THEY ALMOST GAVE UP. ONLY ONE THING STOPPED THEM. THEY REMEMBERED WHO WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE. GRANDMOTHER, COUSIN, SISTER, WIFE. BELOVED FACES THAT YEARNED TO BE SEEN.

“WHAT’S HAPPENING?” THE WALL ASKED, TREMBLING. WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT THEY DID, THEY WERE LOOKING THROUGH THE WALL, TRYING TO FIND THEIR DEAR ONES. SILENTLY, FROM ONE PERSON TO ANOTHER, LOVE KEPT UP ITS INVISIBLE WORK.

“STOP IT!” THE WALL SHRIEKED. “I’M FALLING APART.” BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. A MILLION HEARTS HAD FOUND EACH OTHER. THE WALL HAD FALLEN BEFORE IT CAME DOWN. Michael Jackson DANCING THE DREAM 1992

“I have wonderful memories of my visits to Germany. Coming back to Berlin, a city so full of energy…it’s very special to me. Berlin, I love you! Berlin, ich liebe dich!

September 11th has changed our world. Not long ago, the Berlin Wall came down. But, recently, new walls have been built. 1989, people of Germany said…”wir sind ein volk. We are one nation.”

We are Germans. We are Armenians, French, Italian, Russian, American, Asian, African and many other nationalities. We are Christians, Jewish, Muslims and Hindu. We are black and we are white. We are a community of so many differences, so complex and yet, so simple. We do not need to have war.” taken from Michael Jackson’s acceptance speech…Bambi Pop Star of the Millenium 2002

“Sadly, sadly, we live in a state of fear. Every day we hear of war…on the news, on the radio and television and in the newspapers…always war. We hear of nations hurting each other, of neighbors hurting each other, of families hurting each other and of children killing each other. We must learn to live and love each other before it’s too late. WE HAVE TO STOP THE PREJUDICE. WE HAVE TO STOP THE HATING. WE HAVE TO STOP LIVING IN FEAR OF OUR OWN NEIGHBORS.” Michael Jackson…taken from a speech in Exeter 2002

Michael felt so very strongly about the state of the world. Because he lived his life on a world stage, he took every opportunity to speak out for justice and peace and love. “When I feel something is not right, I have to speak up. I know most people don’t think of me as tough or strong-willed, but that’s because they don’t know me.” MJ

That strength and determination serves as a role-model for so many around this world. It offers a path that many have chosen to follow. I am reminded of something really lovely that I discovered researching one day…It was taken from the L.A. Times on Michael’s 54th birthday, August 29, 2012. “Your presence in this world was a gift. Today, on your birthday, we honor you, keeping alive your legacy for all time. Loving and missing you, Your Global Family from…(a full-page of the newspaper)

USA

GREECE

ROMANIA

ITALY

GERMANY

HONG KONG

NIGERIA

JAPAN

AUSTRIA

POLAND

FRANCE

SPAIN

TRINIDAD

TABAGO

ARGENTINA

IRAN

ARMENIA

ENGLAND

BRAZIL

TAIWAN

CANADA

SWEDEN

PUERTO RICO

SWITZERLAND

MEXICO

PORTUGAL

SCOTLAND

DENMARK

NETHERLANDS

RUSSIA

BULGARIA

When my strength begins to fade and I become over-whelmed by injustice, I turn to Michael’s words, his music, his love for the world…and, I connect with all the loving people around this planet who are working so hard and giving so much to make change. And, I say, THANK YOU. And, I dream of the day when a TRIBUTE magazine finishes with an article detailing Michael’s humanitarian efforts…I even volunteer to write it! Michael never aimed low…neither should we. I love you!

Jude

HIStory

MYstory

YOURstory

OURstory

REAL NEWS IS NOT COMMENTARY

Posted on April 15, 2013 by jrling

JOURNALISM is defined as: writing characterized by a direct presentation of facts/description of events WITHOUT ATTEMPT AT INTERPRETATION (writing designed to appeal to current popular taste or public interest.

COMMENTARIES are simply that…IT’S SOMEONE’S OPINION.

Today, although there is SOME semblance of justice, we truly believe when the media stops sensationalizing Michael Jackson’s life and death to the frenzied masses…and, SHOWS TRUTHFUL UNDERSTANDING OF THE MAN, then and only then will Michael Jackson receive true justice.

That experience draws masses of Fans together for the common purpose of sharing Michael truths and working to continue his messages for the world…a dedicated mission that moves forward, empowered beyond Michael’s passing. The diversity and creativity of groups around the globe only gives proof to Michael’s belief in THE PEOPLE and their power to make change in the world.

“We unites us, increases our strength; it picks up our burden when you and I are ready to let it fall. The truth is that you and I would have given up long ago, but WE won’t let us. It is too wise. ‘Look into your hearts,’ it says, ‘What do you see? Not you and I, but only WE.”

Michael Jackson

DANCING THE DREAM

In the world of today, WE find our strength in one another…our answers in Michael. There is much to be done. PAYING MICHAEL FORWARD means taking our words and our creative projects into the world to silence, once and for all, the myths and lies and accusations. Bullying done by the media is loud and constant and forceful.

“EVIL TRIUMPHS WHEN GOOD MEN DO NOTHING.” Edmund Burke

I find myself now, four years after I began, seeing the unprofessional, uncontrolled and unethical media gearing up for Michael’s civil trial. And, once again, MICHAEL WILL BE ON TRIAL. I am hearing all the old lies and half-truths as teasers and written on the internet and, once again, a search for truth is not the issue. The Diamonds and Graces greet with relish their five minutes of fame as they rip Michael open like a bag of birdseed. And, I wonder…is it time to play the RACE CARD. What other reason could there be? If you know the man, if you want to know the man, then your education on the subject would give you the truth. But, these women and their colleagues don’t deal in truths. And now, they even will go after Michael’s children. In my entire life, I have never heard of another person whose biological parentage is at issue. HAVE YOU? These people have tried with every ounce of their being to paint Michael as weird, strange, a black man trying to be white, a child molester and plastic surgery addict, broke…and now, to add to the list…a drug addict, an alcoholic afraid to go on stage. IT ALL MAKES ME WANT TO SCREAM. They call all the people who speak out for Michael, ” Rabid Fans”. Anyone refuting their lies and telling the truth is a fanatic. In my studies I have found absolutely no truth in their stories…and, I ask myself…WHY? That is when I finally come to the RACE CARD. I have just seen a documentary telling of Thomas Jefferson’s studies of black slaves and vitiligo and the origin of WACKO JACKO and it made me cry. People stricken with this disease were used as circus freaks. When the two London tabloids coined this phrase for Michael…THEY INTENDED IT TO BE RACIST!

And so, I sit here today, writing to you and crying. Crying for a man who wanted to try to heal the world through music and love…crying for a man who gave of himself and his fame and fortune toward that effort. I am crying for Paris, Prince and Blanket because I don’t want them to have to go through what their Daddy did. I am crying because instead of talking about this unparalleled talent and career, this unparalleled success, this giving and caring heart, this man who spent a lifetime trying to save the planet, this loving and caring father, this man who tried to rescue children from poverty and hunger, from abuse and violence and give us all magic and wonderment…we are about to try to endure another MEDIA LYNCHING.

AND THEN, I LOOK AT THE LIST ABOVE, THE LIST OF LEGIONS OF PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER TO MAKE A CHANGE, and I know I want to stand up and share the truths I know and speak out for justice.

STUDYING MICHAEL JACKSON…JOSEPH VOGEL UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER 2012

“Well, the mills of God grind slowly, but, they grind exceedingly small. What was due to happen is happening at last. Michael Jackson is returning to us in his full glory and splendor. I am talking about Spike Lee’s film devoted to the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s BAD album…the re-release of the album itself and the response to both events are getting in the media and among the general public. Frankly, the most satisfaction I derive from it all is the expression on the faces of Tom Sneddon, Diane Dimond, Nancy Grace and Maureen Orth and their ilk, which I can easily imagine at seeing Michael’s coming back at them in so formidable a way and from every direction they look. Even if our petition against Sneddon does not reach its primary goal of having Sneddon investigated for his malicious prosecution of Michael Jackson, Sneddon and his media girlfriends are nevertheless doomed now to a torture of seeing the giant figure of Michael Jackson rising on the horizon and approaching them in gigantic steps. And this is no longer Wacko Jacko they used to squeak about before, but Michael Jackson, the most influential artist of the 20th century whose music is the power that was misunderstood and whose life story is now called the engrossing life of a creative genius. The shift in the media and public opinion is so amazing and so relatively quick (in comparison with the two long decades of his trashing) that this change alone deserves to be recorded as another landmark event on the road to Michael Jackson’s place in eternity.”

This morning, I await the news from Newsweek Magazine…a new issue that APPEARS to be a tribute. But, I will tell you, I have been gutted too many times with magazines that use Michael’s beauty on the cover to sell, and then completely destroy him on the inside. I am encouraged by the fact that David Nordahl and Michael Bush are featured. But, I must tell you, I have that anxious feeling inside me that I have experienced too many times. I do, however, believe in the NEW MEDIA…you and me. We work everyday to PAY MICHAEL FORWARD…doing hours of research and never stopping until the myths are erased.

“THERE’S NOTHING THAT CAN’T BE DONE IF WE RAISE OUR VOICE AS ONE.” Michael Jackson

THANK YOU, MICHAEL. THANK YOU TO ALL THE VOICES AROUND THE WORLD. THE MARATHON OF TRUTH CONTINUES. JOIN ME IN IT.