The concept of “celebrity” is a relatively new notion. As the means of communication exponentially continue to increase and evolve, the idea of who is a celebrity and how they are viewed is also transforming right before our eyes. For Generation X and Yers, and arguably for the Baby Boomer generation as well, there was no single person who garnered more attention than the late Michael Jackson. To become a celebrity, you must have at least one of the following: talent, beauty, intrigue, luck, scandal, tragedy. (Notice “intelligence” did not make the list.) Michael Jackson not only made high marks in all of these categories, but he in fact maxed them out at some point in his life. The public’s reaction to his death has been beyond fascinating and it has made me have to completely reconsider what this country values most and more specifically why we hold celebrities in such high regard. (Don’t worry, there is a sports angle buried in here somewhere… This is the Pinstripe Post, after all.)
The media firestorm over the past two weeks has been unlike any other we have had in quite some time. Normally, Farrah Fawcett and even Billy Mays’ deaths would have attracted much more attention than they did, but post mortem, Michael Jackson has truly proved how important of a celebrity he was. Although Jackson has been out of the talent spotlight for over a decade and a half now, his scandals at Neverland Ranch and his ever-metamorphosing appearance have kept him in the public eye. The “King of Pop’s” revolutionary music continued to be played throughout nightclubs and car stereos by both young and old, but since his acquittal of sexual harassment, he rarely showed himself anymore. Tragically, while he was feverishly preparing to reveal himself to his nation of fans via a blockbuster world tour, his heart ceased to beat. This made his music beat one thousand times louder.
The media could have focused on a few of different angles when this happened: 1. His ground-breaking music career. 2. His inexplicable psychological make-up. 3. His propensity to nap with small children. 4. The amount of debt he has racked up in the past 10 years. All of these points were touched on in bits and pieces, but overwhelmingly, they have put the microscope on how his music was not only innovative (first black star on MTV, etc.) but how his music touched so many people’s lives in positive ways. Twitter and Facebook were overloaded with updates on everyone’s individual thoughts on the man’s passing. 24-hour news networks delved into every detail about the man, from the Jackson 5 era until his death. It was literally impossible to avoid Michael Jackson news.
More shocking than the news of his death, was the public reaction. Grass-roots memorials sprang up in small towns and on Hollywood Boulevard alike. People aged 2-102 were sobbing in front of the camera, explaining how they were dramatically impacted by “Thriller” or “Beat it” or one of MJ’s live performances. Although they had never met Jackson, they felt a very deep connection, as if they had lost a family member. I am by no means judging these people. While I enjoyed his music, just like the rest of the world, I don’t think I am a better person because of it. But clearly, many people felt differently. They were able to overlook the scandalously outrageous life that he led and solely focus on the good. Of course, this happens on some level with anyone’s death, but more so with Jackson. That brings us to Manny Ramirez… (bear with me and pardon the rocky transition.)
After Alex Rodriguez’s admitted steroid use, Manny became the sport’s “clean” torch bearer. That lasted about a month and a half until Manny was also busted. After serving his 50 game suspension, the public and media reaction to Ramirez again has been mind boggling. His return was hyped up and hailed as if he was making a miraculous return from a life threatening injury. Fans turned out in droves to support Manny in the minor league games prior to his big league return and held up signs supporting him. ESPN counted down until his return and his fans gave him a rousing ovation upon his first at bat. Somehow, in that 50 game span, people completely forgot that he cheated our national pastime. Clearly, the general population does not care that Manny used steroids, just like they don’t care that Michael Jackson was a psychological mess.
There is really only one conclusion here. 10 years ago, neither one of these men would have gotten the free pass that they’ve clearly received for their wrongdoings, but in this time of economic depression, job loss and despair, people will take any opportunity they can to have something to support and be positive about. Political sex scandals, murder, war, and rape are splashed across our television and computer screens on a daily basis. Often times, celebrities are singular sources that everyone can relate to. Whether you have every album ever recorded by Michael Jackson, or have casually tapped your foot to “Beat It”, an appreciation for Michael Jackson’s music is a commonality that almost everyone in America shares. He is an icon that died young, (probably from a preventable drug overdose) yet people have still banded together to remember him in a positive light. As a country, we are grasping for anything and everything to hold onto close to our hearts, things such as our most beloved sport and pop icons. This may give us some sense of comfort in the short term, but the best way for this country to create a generation who can pull us out of this mess is to realize and celebrate the real accomplishments of real people. The injured war veteran who lives next door, the local politician who is truly trying to better his community, the social worker who is working 70 hours per week for minimum wage to place foster children in loving homes and the entry level pharmaceutical worker who is trying to save enough money to move out of his parent’s house.
God-willing, ever-expanding technology will not hasten our eventual demise. (By the way, you can Tweet that, it’s less than 140 characters.)
Monday, July 13, 2009
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