One of the many things that Michael said which has stuck with me, was how he spoke of his admiration for people that used their talents to further the prospects of children. This is what I aspire to do.
Towards the end of the notorious Martin Bashir documentary Living With Michael Jackson, when asked why the welfare of children meant so much to him, Michael, choking back heartfelt tears, responded with the words, “I’m just very sensitive to their pain.” Given a platform to speak at Oxford University, Michael used the occasion to propose a Children’s Bill of Rights, with one of these being “the right to be loved without having to earn it”. Michael promoted these beliefs until his dying breath, as evidenced in the gut-wrenching recording that Conrad Murray made of Michael as he groaned in anaesthetised oblivion, where he is heard talking about his dream of building a children’s hospital. Indeed, the last performance Michael ever made was of ‘Earth Song’ – in a rehearsal the day before he died – meaning that some of his final utterances on stage were, “What about children dying? / Can’t you hear them cry?”
To promote a universal freedom of opportunity for children to fulfil their potential is surely a faultless philosophy, with perhaps the only drawback being its vulnerability to abuse by the laziness of cynicism.
Cynicism such as the absurdity contained with the charges made against Michael regarding denying his own race – he is one of the United College Negro College Funds all-time largest contributors. Michael made his reasons for supporting the cause very clear during a speech in 1988, when collecting his honorary doctorate degree of Humane Letters, from Fisk University in New York City. He said,
“There is nothing more important than ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to an education. To want to learn, to have the capacity to learn, but not to be able to, is a tragedy.”
Michael’s single-mindedness in being an advocate for children was his only vulnerability; a pressure point that was exploited with aplomb. As he lamented, “They try to use my love for children against me and it’s so unfair, I’m very upset about it you know?”
Michael’s artistic riposte to the 1993 extortion attempt is dedicated to all the children of the world, who he claims responsibility for. Michael loved all children the way any mother loves their own. When conspired against and confronted with the most expensive attempted character assassination in history, Michael remained dignified, before defending himself by utilising his art. The HIStory project was an uncharacteristically angry sting from Michael. Yet, as cathartic as the work must have been for him – like a normally peaceable bee stinging out of terror – it also commenced the process of ripping out his heart. The eventual trial of 2005 tore it out completely.
And his death orphaned us all.
Human nature is self-sabotaging. And of all the dichotomies involving Michael, perhaps the most poignant is how a man that strived so tirelessly through his creativity to make the world a better place, became the man the world strived so hard to destroy. But Michael was appealing to a consciousness beyond the current human state.
My ambition as a writer is to help enrich the lives of children. As well as my writings on Michael, I am also a children’s author. I have written a biography on Michael Jackson, and my hope is that I can utilise the success of the book to generate publicity for my children’s books. They are all written in the spirit of Michael, and as such, I will be donating a percentage of all sales to the non-profit organisation, Michael Jackson’s Legacy (http://www.michaeljacksonslegacy.org).
The First Book Of Michael by Syl Mortilla will be with you very soon.
MJ WAS A CUTIE PIE said:
Reblogged this on ALL THINGS MICHAEL! ♥.
reneesheart said:
Syl thank you for the work you do on behalf of Michael…..I’m glad he has a genuine supporter and I too love children and believe they should have a quality education especially the more disenfranchised children.
Michael was a blessing and treasure that we took for granted…..missing him much.
beagleladywv said:
“…the right to be loved without having to earn it”
I think Michael was speaking from his own experiences as a child, when he was surrounded by adults who made him feel he was loved only when he was performing to perfection. He knew how lonely and sad he often was, because of his lack of a normal childhood, He never wanted another child to go through what he did.
I look forward to your book.
corlista1 said:
My thoughts exactly….
No child should ever have to earn love. Unfortunately, Michael must have felt that as a young boy and spent his entire life in that quest. How very sad for one who gave so much.
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tamischloemer said:
How is it that one man was able to connect with so many people and give them such joy, and bliss?! He was even able to make the (tough guy) scream and faint, “women would cry in rapture at the very sight of him, it was almost like the second coming.” Where did this power come from, and did Michael know he had this?
“What kind of magic did Michael Jackson have compared to any other human being?” I have been on an interesting journey; watching every video, documentary, reading articles, examined photos etc.. and I will continue to study the “Michael Jackson phenomena,” He was a magnetic, androgynous, angelic, mysterious, and almost God like person,” it seems; everyone who has studied or tried to define him cannot describe why he had such an enigmatic effect on people; “which seemed to be the perplexing attraction of the mystery he exuded to everyone, even to his closest friends.” People fed off his unique spiritual energy that he shared on a mass scale when he performed, everyone wanted to spiritually merge with him. Michael has exalted to a place where nobody else will ever be. He was an over accomplished magical human being….almost to a fault, and reminded me of someone from; “not of this world.” Although, I have ever met anyone from another world, but he had a knack for reaching peoples’ souls by just being in the same room, no matter how many! However, I know “Idolatry” is a sin, but one cannot help being mesmerized by his craft. He expressed himself through his song and dance to perfection… he gave us all a beautiful gift, his art, and it will live on forever….Thank you Michael Jackson for sharing yourself with us. We love you more~~~