|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| Back To All Blogs | Blog 110 of 170 | Prev Next |
|
JACKSON WAS OUR BARACK OBAMA OF THE 70's
Published On 06-26-2009 , 11:54 PM
Seems just about everyone has something to say about the death of Michael Jackson.
Not only does everyone have something to say, but we are also being fed first-hand accounts from his fans as to how they came to love Michael and follow his every move.
While few have been able to conquer the young man's moves, we've all, young and old, black and white, marveled at how a body could do what this super talent did with his.
Like the others, I'm going to add my story to the list of tales being told.
The Jackson Five was how my children came to meet Michael. Well, not personal or up close, but close enough, because we decided the dynamic kid with his kinky hair combed high on his head looked pretty much like our 3-year-old Pia.
Living in the UCLA Married Student Housing during the 70s, there weren't many around who looked like us. And there were even fewer who looked like our baby girl who, while she probably didn't look like Michael, but her hair sure did. 
So when the kids in our courtyard would ask Pia about her hair - back then there weren't too many little kids with piled high kinky locks called a natural - we told her to answer, "I'm like Michael Jackson."
Those were the days. The Jackson Five days. My son, Paul, even had one of those vests like the famous brothers wore with the extra-long fringe at the bottom hemline. Paul's was purple suede with really, really long pieces hanging from the waist to the bottom hemline.
The Jackson Five were just about everywhere we went. Or maybe we went anywhere we could find them. Way beyond my slim budget, I scrimped on other things and bought box seats at the Hollywood Bowl and took all of my five kids to see the young group.
Then there was Africa.
The lyrics, "A, B, C, 1, 2, 3, you and me," blasted off the 45 rpm record at a home in Accra, Ghana when, with my oldest daughter and I visited there in 1972.
The hospitable young teenager, in an effort to entertain my daughter when we had been invited to her home for dinner, asked what records Pamela would like to hear.
Pamela, being equally as well mannered, said it didn't really matter and the choice should be that of our host. But later she told me she was prepared to hear that "awful African Highlife music" she hated.
What words filled that living room so way across the world on another continent? "It's easy as 1, 2, 3, that's how easy love can be." It was the Jackson's "ABC," spinning on the record players so very far from home.
But just like a typical American in a foreign land, my astonished daughter said, "But just how did you get that? How do you know about the Jackson Five?"
He was just a kid and Michael Jackson with his unbelievable talent was breaking boundaries and creating magic. Michael was, for my children, the Barack Obama of the `70s. We smiled when we saw him. We danced to his melodies and he made us proud to be who we were. And for my youngest little girl, Pia, it made her hairstyle the best one in the sand box over there in the UCLA Married Student Apartments on Sepulveda in West Los Angeles.
While our box seats so long ago at the Hollywood Bowl don’t equal our very recent standing on our feet for hours at Obama's inauguration, young Michael Jackson was a source of pride who sent my children the message: "You can do it."
This blog can be found in our column section where you can print a copy or e-mail to someone
http://talkaboutparenting.org/pages/articles.php
 Tune-in Wednesdays Noon to 1:00 p.m. Talk Abut Parenting with Shirlee Smith LIVE Call-in at 626- 794-2116 or 794-2551. PCAC Charter Channel 56 in Pasadena. Return to our home page and click the channel 56 logo for streaming. See our calendar listing for show guest and for further information.
| |
| |
Comment
| | 1. | I was DEEPLY moved by his death. I was in tears and for a few moments I did not know what to say...We lost an icon, a creator, a genius who will remain unique not only in the history of music but also in world history.
- by Emma, 06-29-2009, 3:46 PM
| | 2. | Dear Ms. Smith:
You got the ball rolling with your early article about the true "King of Pop." your voice is so important to the community. Keep up the good work.
Doubtful we will ever convince the disdainers of the true merits of this musical genius, but few can deny his impact in the entertainment industry.
We will be in London beginning July 8, 2009 and look forward to taking the group to see the stage production of "Thriller." Another small way of paying tribute to a great loss to so many of us.
- by Tommy McMullins, 06-29-2009, 12:49 AM
| | 3. | Shirlee,
What a great blog you wrote. I loved every word of it.
- by Susan, 06-27-2009, 8:50 PM
| | 4. | Great Shirlee....I guess that means that Obama is the new MJ. Just forget that they are %28were%29 almost the exact same age. This just may be the worst analogy ever. Sure, Obama is a rock star, but I doubt he paid money to parents to let their little boys sleep over. And, I don't think we'll see those HOPE, CHANGE and YES WE CAN bumper stickerrs replaced by VOTE FOR OBAMA, HE"S JUST LIKE MICHAEL JACKSON!
- by Los Angeles, 06-27-2009, 4:45 PM
| | 5. | Yes, so many good memories of Michael Jackson. Unlike David I surmise that indeed many folks will miss Michael. Unfortunately he became a troubled spirit, however he was still HUMAN with a vast amount of talent, which sadly will no longer be displayed.
- by phxsays, 06-27-2009, 3:27 PM
| | 6. | Whatever some may think of his "life-style", Michael
Jackson was a trail blazer. And, I appreciate his memory for that reason. What a talent!!!!
Hank
- by Hank Wilfong, 06-27-2009, 1:00 PM
| | 7. | I didn't know you were a fan...go head Shirlee
- by GL Moody, 06-27-2009, 11:37 AM
| | 8. | No one is going to miss this particular subhuman sex pervert and child molester.
A horrible role model for today's youth.
Take your kinky hair and shove it!
- by david, 06-27-2009, 11:24 AM
| | 9. | Obama is a Chicago thug Michael jackson was not. Michael Jackson was a better role model.
- by Bob, 06-27-2009, 8:48 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
