Ya Heard: Farewell to ‘King of Pop’

"If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with."

—Michael Jackso

The shock of last Thursday's events have yet to leave many of us. The news of Michael Jackson's death shot through the world like an arrow, piercing our hearts and our ears.

A lot of grasping for understanding has taken place in the last week as we've lamented on the many memorable events Jackson left branded in our minds. For a person that seemed larger than life, it is still hard to accept the man who gave us the moonwalk is no longer here.

Yeah, as we've continued to be reminded over and over, Michael Jackson had some tough moments. However, it will be for his craft he will forever be remembered. The fact is, Michael Jackson was a gift to the world. Through his music he was able to not only break through racial barriers here in America, but also through cultural barriers around the world. His music was not black, white or even American, soul or R&B for that matter. It was life music.

As a black man, I can truly say when I saw or thought of Michael Jackson, I did not see him as a black man or any other ethnicity. He was simply Michael Jackson, P-E-R-I-O-D!

Now some of you "bright" ones may say that was due to the change in his skin color over the years, but my point is Michael Jackson was one of the few, if not only, people or person in this country we did not look at through the lens of race when we saw him.

Michael Jackson was perhaps the greatest to ever perform in modern memory. To have lost him so unexpectedly felt as if we lost him personally; and we did. Michael Jackson gave us timeless hits, which date back more than 40 years. As a member of the Jackson 5, my

parents grew up to a young Michael captivating the world with his voice and showmanship.

As a solo artist, my generation watched Michael go on to obtain astronomical success, the heights of which had never been seen, and not seen since. His songs, performances and controversy always served as a reminder to exactly what we were doing during those times in our own lives.

Some of you may remember the first time the Jackson 5 appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, while others may remember exactly what they were doing when seeing the "Thriller" video for the first time. In the words of 50 Cent, "No one is bigger than Michael Jackson." His voice was the collective soundtrack of the last two generations. And in knowing that, it is not overly dramatic to feel some sense of a personal loss.

After experiencing the loss of such a cultural icon, it is slightly easier to understand the enigma of Michael Jackson. Here was a man whose genius made him an outsider. Who could relate to a man that has been performing professionally since the age of 6 before going on to be the highest selling artist of all time as an adult? Who could have said to Michael, "Yeah, I understand that." The man had people of all races, ages and gender fainting at the mere sight of him! Considering that, his great success and world fame, I think he managed a lot better than many of us would.

No disrespect to Elvis or the Beatles, but the King of Entertainment wore a silver glove…'Til next week, Peace!!!

Dennis Winn can be reached at 703-200-4928 or .