Ten days ago Michael Jackson died. A shame, absolutely, as he was damaged in his childhood by his father which led to a damaged adulthood. As the days have passed, Mr. Jackson has been elevated from King of Pop to deity on high even while more disturbing news has come out about his demons and his drug habit. The latest over-the-top pronouncement came from Newsday, the newspaper that is unfortunately the newspaper of Long Island where I live. The article in question claims that Michael’s success may have paved the way for Oprah, Tiger and Barack.
Now, while Mr. Jackson accomplished many things and did cross racial barriers, I doubt you could give him much credit for enhancing or making possible the careers or anyone beyond his own family and any other musical acts he chose to promote. To be honest, I have never been a fan of Mr. Jackson but that is more from a fact that I prefer classical music and old jazz. There are one or two of his songs that are OK and I admit that he was a hell of a dancer and choreographer. But to say that he had anything to do with the golf success of Tiger Woods is a stretch.
Mr. Woods is a talented man who can attribute his success to his dad’s coaching and support and his own god-given talents, period. The same can be said of Oprah, who through her personality and magnetism crafted a media empire. As for Obama, he is a political animal who was well served from connections and the fact that his political birth came in the womb of the spectacularly corrupt Chicago machine. What I will say that ties Messers Jackson and Obama and Madam Winfrey together is excellent marketing. I doubt any of them could have gotten to such heights without it. Another thing that ties them together and possibly explains the need for fame is the absence of a decent father or father figure.
This is where Mr. Woods was blessed above the others. He had a dad who loved him, stuck around, encouraged him, and supported him. Sadly, Mr. Woods father died a few years back and his passing received less coverage and praise than Mr. Jackson. I say let the damaged Mr. Jackson rest in peace that he was unable to find or buy in life. And lets save the praise and canonization for men like Tiger’s dad.
The Plebian Council 