June 26, 2009

There comes a time when we heed a certain call When the world must come together as one There are people dying And it's time to lend a hand to life The greatest gift of all We can't go on pretending day by day That someone, somewhere will soon make a change We are all part of God's great big family And the truth, you know, love is all we need We are the world, we are the children We are the ones who make a brighter day So let's start giving There's a choice were making We're saving our own lives It's true we make a better day Just you and me

Send them your heart So they know that someone cares And their lives will be stronger and free As God has shown us by turning stones to bread So we all must lend a helping hand We are the world, we are the children We are the ones who make a brighter day So let's start giving There's a choice were making We're saving our own lives It's true well make a better day Just you and me

When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all But if you just believe there's no way we can fall Well, well, well, well let us realize that a change can only come When we stand together as one We are the world, we are the children We are the ones who make a brighter day So let's start giving There's a choice were making We're saving our own lives It's true we make a better day Just you and me

We are the world, we are the children We are the ones who make a brighter day So let's start giving There's a choice were making We're saving our own lives It's true we make a better day Just you and me (Repeat)

The world was stunned yesterday by the passing of Michael Jackson.  It was one of those rare events where everyone is likely to remember where they were when they heard the news.   Individuals around the globe gathered to mourn the tragic loss and to remember how Michael had touched their lives.

For our generation, Michael was an important part of our lives, a family member that we loved.  We grew up listening to his music and copying and trying to expand upon Michael's dance moves.  No other entertainer has been so much a part of our generation.

Natasha H., the Youth Chairman of the Patrick Henry Democratic Club of America, recalls her experience of hearing of Michael's transition.  "My mom and I heard about it on the radio and we kept on driving, past our original destination, up to the UCLA Medical Center.  I've never done anything like this before, and I probably wouldn't have gone there to gather with a crowd for any other celebrity.  Michael was special.  My mom and I got some candles and flowers and joined others in making a memorial at the Medical Center for Michael.  The police said the candles had to go and so we helped created a second memorial by the building where he passed."

Natasha's mom also spoke with us about Michael.  "My kids used to fight playfully over gloves or socks that could be used as gloves.  They would each put on a glove and pretend to be Michael."

In talking to other mourners, most recalled growing up and dancing to Michael's music.  Michael was a hero to individuals of all generations.  Many said that it seemed surreal, it couldn't be happening. 

Some stations switched to non-stop Michael music.  Supporters sang along and danced in the streets, on sidewalks, in parks and elsewhere.  Memorials were created all over the world in Michael's memory.

Those who knew him say that Michael's biggest fault was his innocence and limitless generosity.  He always tried to brighten the lives of everyone he met.  He worked with organizations like the "Make a Wish Foundation," to try to brighten up the lives of kids with special needs.  Some observers expressed sorrow over the unjust and cruel persecution of Michael by the press and by money-hungry parents who saw Michael as a vehicle to use his love for kids to profit at his expense.   One person commented that it wouldn't have been a surprise if he had had a heart attack from all the undeserved cruelty he had had to endure.  Another pointed out, "Michael never hurt anyone but some terrible people hurt him."

Michael was alone at the time of his cardiac arrest and was taken to UCLA Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.  The word was that he would still be alive if someone had been with him to administer CPR when the cardiac arrest took place.  Though Michael was a private person, the blame for the isolation and perhaps his death lies with the press and those who persecuted Michael for his money over the years.

The morning the U.S. House of Representatives, at the suggestion of Diane Watson, paused for a moment of silence to remember Michael Jackson.

Reporters were close to the UCLA Medical Center on another important story when the news about Michael's demise was discovered.  The press had learned that Farrah Fawcett's son, Redmond, was going to be allowed out of prison to see his mother that day.  The press gathered outside St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica to catch a glimpse of Redmond.  But he was not released in time to get there before his mother passed.  He has been serving time on one of those mindless drug sentences, the reason that the United States beats out Stalinist Russia and Apartheid South Africa for having the largest percentage of its population in prison of any society in the history of the planet.  Farrah passed before her son was able to arrive at the hospital, though she reportedly had a phone conversation with Redmond before she passed.

Most of those in prison are there because of drug crimes.  The last two (P)residents have admitted to drug use and while they got the White House, others got prison time.  In San Francisco, Kamala Harris is trying to reform the system through community service diversion programs, including a program called "Back on Track."  Fans of Farrah Fawcett may wish that Kamala were currently Attorney General so that Redmond could have been at Farrah's bedside when she passed.

Farrah Fawcett was a huge star to the people who lived through the seventies and eighties.  She starred in Charlie's Angels, a show from which she had to fight to get out of her contract.  All the episodes are available on DVD.  She also starred in a number of movies, including movies on spousal abuse.  She was the face of opposition to family violence.  Farrah and her longtime significant other, Ryan O'Neal, also had their own series, Good Sports.  While most viewed her as a glamor girl, her friends saw her as someone who was intelligent, positive and resilient.

Coming on the heels of the death of Johnny Carson's sidekick Ed McMahon, this has been a particularly tragic week for music, television and movie fans.

Copyright ©2009 by the Creative Youth News Team.  All rights reserved.

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