I did not cry when Michael Jackson died

July 10, 2009 by fungaijames ·
Filed under: I was just thinking, Music & Dance

When I heard that Michael Jackson had died on 25th June this year, I was pained but I did not cry. When his brother Jermaine came out on TV confirming to the world that indeed that Michael was dead that hit me in a sensitive place, but still I did not cry.

Watching the news, I saw thousands of people around the world gather, sing his songs, cry tears for him and dances his moves- but still I could not bring myself to shed a tear. I was so sad that I wanted to cry- but I couldn’t.

I played his music, watched his videos on YouTube, wrote an article about him for The Zimbo Jam and exchanged MJ stories with my wife.

It was emotional- gut wrenchingly so. Then on Tuesday this week, there was the sight of the convoy driving down LA to the Staples Center. I stopped everything I was doing and sat down to watch the live broadcast. No tears still.

His brothers in their dark suits, yellow ties and sequined single gloves. Still no tears. Jennifer Hudson, Mariah Carey, Smokey Robinson and Shaheen Jafargholi all sang their hearts out. Usher cried as he did his performance. There were hugs and tears all round.

Then Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris, spoke. Unlike everyone else, she did not say “Michael”- she said “Daddy”. That hit home more than I was ready for. He was somebody’s Daddy. He wasn’t just a beautiful voice and awesome dance moves. He wasn’t just a music icon. He was a son, a brother, an uncle, a father.

“Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father I could imagine,” she said, “I just want to say I love him so much.”

She had me at Daddy.

Tell the world: