R.I.P. Michael Jackson

by Leigh Graham · 2009-06-25 18:02:00 UTC
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He's being eulogized all over the television, radio and internet news, so I'll keep it short.  I am of the generation that came up on Thriller.  Michael was born in Gary, Indiana, to a steelworker father and his wife; according to Wikipedia his father physically and mentally abused him - and his reputation is forever marred by allegations of his own perpetration of child abuse..  He is remembered as "rising from poverty to stardom" - and not making the transition very well over his lifecourse.  But what a talent - from a childhood singing" from the bunk beds" with his siblings in a rustbelt life of near-poverty.

I leave you with the We Are the World video that went to fight famine in Africa; Jackson and Lionel Ritchie co-wrote the song.  Rest in Peace, Michael.

Leigh Graham
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