Riddle Me This: Why are You Crying That Michael Jackson is Dead?

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

Riddle me this, why are there people standing on the street with signs, sobbing for a man they did not know? I understand that Michael Jackson is/was an icon; he created great music, great visual performances and some pretty fantastic dance moves and apparently even special patented shoes to make the dance moves possible. However; none of these people knew him. They didn’t touch him, ever hug him, ever sit across a table and talk or have dinner with him. Yet, they cry as though someone in their immediate family has just died? I don’t get it!

When my paternal grandfather died, I recall shedding a tear or two but mostly it was because my father seemed so upset. The truth is I was not that close to the man. He was not a hugger or emotionally available, so I felt very little emotional pull to him or his death. Now with the passing of my other grandparents I cried tons. But this is because I was close to them, I knew them in ways and loved them in ways that comes from time spent and memories shared.

So, when I see people with their flowers and their signs at the many places were Michael Jackson is being memorialized I find myself confused. Why are you so upset? You listened to the man’s music, you watched him on TV. You didn’t know him. You can still listen to his music, you can still watch him on DVD as I am sure free market will turn out 150 new DVD’s you can buy for $9.99 plus shipping and handling. What have you lost?

He was a recluse. He covered the faces of his children so that you could not see them. He didn’t want you to know about his life, he wanted to be left alone in peace. Did he want to perform for you, yes! Did he want you to adore him, I am sure. But he didn’t know you and you didn’t know him. So, how can you be so emotionally connected that tears spring to your eyes and sobs are omitted from your body?? It seems ridiculous to me.

I will admit that no one considers me a sentimental person, at least not anyone who knows me. But I do love and miss and care for people. Just not for people I don’t know. I am sorry that his children lost their only parent. I am sorry that his family lost him. But to be honest I didn’t lose anything. All I have to do is go on iTunes and I can listen to anything of his I want. Which is another thing, why is it that people who didn’t want to download his music when he was alive all of a sudden can’t get enough of his stuff. But I digress; his life was tragic despite the wealth and fame. Michael’s death was perhaps just as tragic when they discover what really happened to him. I guess I just don’t see how it affects me much or you poor sobbing messes getting his star all wet in Hollywood.

So, tell me how can you mourn for a man you had no PERSONAL connection to as if he was your favorite Uncle or closest friend? Riddle me that….