The Jackson family was indeed a great inspiration for everyone. They showed how talent, hard work (and luck) can take you places, and that inspired many people around the world.

The way it all ended is tragic, and his life was far from perfect... but those initial years were truly remarkable!

OK...WTF....When Michael Was "Just Like Us"

WHEN was this....cause I remember him being different from all his brothers....he never like girls from day 1......Mike died not knowing who he even was....

I love MIchael for what he was not for what he wasnt..I feel sorry I was not aware of how truly great he was..maybe becouse I thought he would live forever...and also I fell sorry nobody could help him in the past 10 sad years he had to go through..He was the biggest talent ever..

i agree mj will be missed for his music and style,not for what the papers say

mj fan for a long time northwales england.

Thank you for giving this "family" perspective. I did love him when I was a child, when my white parents disapproved but I loved the music. However, I totally wrote him off as he morphed into someone strange, and it only got worse with the child molestation claims, and naming two children after himself, because what a parent does for his children is more important than anything else, and I disliked his behavior. I probably needed to be minded of this other facet of who he was and the imprint he left on his world in this respect.

Thanks for sharing this important perspective. I'm sharing this link in a social media website I help moderate.

I've been a Michael Jackson fan my whole life and I'll keep on being one. His music and influence will last always.

I don't like what he really was - sad and sick and frightening. But this is a lovely piece about the ideal, about the dream, about the person he could have been. And because of that grand ideal, because of just the thought that someone can have talent and money and values, all at the same time, I think there are a few people who have successfully worked to make those ideals a reality in their own families.

OK. Who remembers 16 and Spec magazines? While I am not all teary eyed over the death of Michael Jackson...I am struck by three things. 1. Wow! Withevery birthday 50 is getting closer. 2. His music and dancing had international impact and we will all continue to enjoy it for decades to come. 3. I'm sure it isn't easy being Michael. It has not been easy being me. And I'm no Michael Jackson. So let's give the man and his family and his international family some time to mourn his passing. And let's remember to be kind to one another..."'I'm starting with the man in the mirror...."

Im kinda angry that your "just like us" is when he was a poor frieghtened abused little "black" boy!!!! he was never "just like us" his father was a tyrant, he forced him into this life that changed him "in your words" to a sick weirdo... YOU have alot of nerve saying what a great "black" family that was.

Michael Jackson evolved the way he did because of the way he was raised! He was NEVER convicted of beinga molestor... NEVER. and of course he was so RICH and so innocent that money grubbing mothers took advantage of his hospitality and then made up stories of him hurting their children JUST TO GET PAID!

You know what I teach my children... that people are innocent until proven guilty and that bad things happen to good people and that parents arent always right... maybe thats what YOU should do... and i am un subscribing from this site since they let peopl "like you" right hypocrital, self righteous, and incorrect articles like this!

I'm not one to blog and such, but right now I am in still so much pain from this. You know at first I was hoping it was a joke, a sick joke mind you, but nonetheless a joke. I remember hearing that Michael was one who loved a good prank. I could imagine him wanting to pull something like this off to see what his funeral would be like. I had hoped that although sick, it would be just like Michael to do something like this. (Remember the chamber he had made to preserve himself?) But, as I know now, its the truth--he really is gone. And worse, if it does turn out to be a prank, then think of those who ended their lives after hearing of his death. Not in a million years would I have envisioned Michael leaving us. Not this soon. I pray that his family gets through this and gain peace along with memories. Michael, as weird as he got later in life, was still a phenomen. He was brilliant and none could be compared to him. Just writing and sharing this makes me feel a little better. I truly hate to see him go, but there he goes. Rest in peace brother and may all you suffered here on earth be a blessed beginning in heaven.

To Dawn,
This pieces was not intended as a factual piece. It was a reflective piece and therefor a very personal piece. It was written by a black woman that grew up when the Jackson's were getting their start. She is reflecting on what she and so many others saw and felt at the time. To all appearances THIS was a black family that was making it. Sure it was hard work but they were (or appeared to be) making it in a world and time when it was all too rare.

Harsher discipline was the norm then. No one called it abuse. I'm not disputing that in retrospect, it was abuse but then? No one would have named it so.

The writer has her opinion and her perspective and certainly her memories. Just like you have yours. Why can you not allow her to express that when you so clearly get to express yours? You are free to disagree but terminating your subscription because you disagree? Come on. If I terminated every subscription or relationship because I disagreed with sometihng someone opined, I wouldn't have any.

It makes me sad to know that the 'King of the Pop' was an actual adult that had a very insecure soul and was scared of everything. MJ was 'lucky' for his fame, talent and money but unlucky that he never found himself; find peace with his soul. Torn apart into 2 worlds-adulthood and childhood. I really don't understand, so many people around him and never tried to 'rescue' him? He needed a psychologist so he could fight his own demons! Where was all these people that knew him...truly knew him! Now he is dead! Whether the stories about him and children were true or not; i really don't know! Only the people involved in these stories will ever know that. R.I.P MJ. May your soul finally rest in a better world.

He was a great black man. Like all of us, he made mistakes - does not take away from who he was. Who are we to judge? May his soul rest in peace.

Although I am too young to remember MJ at the beginning of his career when he and his brothers were together as the Jackson 5, I do remember being a kid and taking note of his very apparent physical changes i.e, from black to white. I can understand how this writer feels that Michael, his brothers and the Jackson family as a whole represented a template if you can say, for other black families in America to admire and strive to achieve. However it must be said that Michael was more that that, he was truely an icon, an entertainer that no-one can compare to and additionally a very shrewd businessman that had engouh foresight to maintain control over parts of his master recordings, buy the Beatles publishing and set up ATV/Sony publishing and also toured like no-other. For these things I respect him. For the writer her childhood and the childhood of those dear to her are intricately linked with the rise of the Jacksons and Michael. I don't discount Michael's beginnings but we must not forget the darker side of this man who in my opinion was a tormented soul that dealt with demons on a daily basis and thus lead to his untimely death.

Diane's piece reflects the dream, the public image, the facade of the Jackson family. In truth the children were abused by their father while the mother looked the other way. MJ's performing career began as a prodigy and ended as a tragedy, a man disfigured and reclusive, suspected as a child molester, and forgotten until his drug filled body gave up. RIP MJ

I remember listening to michael when he was in his early twenties. He has such a tremendous talent!! Over the years.. his depression got the best of him. I never knew whether or not to believe the allegations of molest, but i know that children everywhere, at one time, love him. It is not fair to neglect the fact that this man was a national and worldwide icon. He deserves every bit of praise and was trapped in a body he did not love. This man was in pain. If you cant see that then you are blind.

MJ was a victim of fame and fortune. I believe he had really struggled during his lifetime - racial discrimination, identity crisis, skin disorder, family crisis and even in trying to live forever. It is not easy being one of the world's greatest. These just prove that all are human- we make mistakes, not all can find a perfect home, we get sick and eventually die....BUT STILL EACH OF US IS SPECIAL. It is a pity that some people judge him when they do not know how strong they would be against temptations if they are in MJ's shoes.

MICHAEL JACKSON, whether we like it or not, IS ONE OF GOD'S GREATEST GIFTS AND HIS MUSIC WILL STAY WITH US FOREVER.

THE WORLD WILL MISS HIM...

This is one of the nicest tributes to Michael Jackson I have yet read. Thank you for writing it and sharing it with the world. I have always felt sad that Michael got lost somewhere along the way. He is at peace now. SD in Pcola, FL

Michael Jackson had an angelic voice and now he sings with the angels. No harm can come to him, even all the awful things people are still saying about him, no one will ever be able to hurt him. God has him in his choir now and the heavens are rejoicing that they have received such a beautiful person and voice to add to their angel choir.

Being Brown (another version of Black) and two years younger than Michael, I remember growing up with his music and watching him change. I always liked his music and I always liked him because I know people change for a reason.......only a fool doesn't change. I watched how he was admired, then criticized for anything he did that didn't make sense to someone else. There are always people who act like their life is perfect. That they don't do anything out of the ordinary or make mistakes...I guess there always will be.

I believe Michael was one of the most gifted person on earth. He kept his connection with GOD strong and was before his time. I believe he was innocent of the criminal accusations and that his spirit wouldn't of allowed him to hurt a child. His gift to us should be our focus - the love he showed his family and fans.

michael was the greatest entertainer of all times. no one to replace him in this era.

I have cried so much. I feel like a part of my family had left us. Nobody will be able to surpassed the talent he had. Let's pray now for those kids and that the Jackson's family will be able to take care of them as well as Michael did. They will miss their father forever. May God open his arms to him. He is in a better place.

I love michael J. he's extra ordinary person..I cried crazy when I learned about his death.People should copy him.a role model of mankind.he has a big heart to people and children..for me He's an angel...a man, a good daddy,sweet and calm.

Mickael J was great singer and he always be alive as star, to change his apprerance or to change his style or even his skin it will always be up to him and if he is sad or happy person his music will tell about him so may God rest him in peace.

I think its unbelievable how "black" people are turning this into a "black" thing. I am VERY disappointed that anyone who thinks like that really believes in that. I have been a HUGE fan of Michael Jackson since I was a little girl. I am now 34 yrs old and I STILL am a HUGE fan. Everything he has ever been through in his life was in the eyes of the world. Sure he made a few mistakes who doesnt. But guess what he is "JUST LIKE US" he was ONLY HUMAN! So what if he bleached his skin. He's not the first black man/woman to do this. He never molested those children. That was just stupid parents trying to get a way into Michael's pockets. He was a very loving father and a BEAUTIFUL person. He was always trying to change the wrong to right. Tried making a difference in this world. Nobody gave a crap about anything he did that pertained to making a change or helping others. So DIANE the next time you or anybody else decides to make this into a "Black" thing...Remember Michael tried to make his skin "WHITE"! I think now is the time that everyone should do as Michael did and stop the violence, and the racism and come together and take care of our world and love one another the way its supposed to be.

I have to agree with you Michelle whole heartedly. I have remembered when i was a 6 or 7 when his thriller video came out it was an inspiration to me. despite all the odds and hardships he faced he just BEAT IT. He was a good father and the only parent his children ever knew. It breaks my hear they lost their father Micheal Jackson and I am 33 year old and still a huge fan. "He who fly's with his wings and moonwalks to heaven dances with the stars." Rip Mj 1958-2009

I totally agree Michael was so special to me, I remember how he was so cool and down to earth and was just trying to live a normal life in the heights of all the fame.
People Don't seem to realize that he was so special, not many people attain the level of super stardom that he achieved, the biggest stars we have today have not come close to the level Micheal reached and he handled it the best way he could.
Every time I remember him, it brings a feeling of joy and pain he was such a talent
But long live Micheal through his music