Like millions of others yesterday, I stopped my life’s goings on to take part in one of the biggest celebrations of life that we may ever see for our beloved and sometimes misunderstood Michael Jackson.
Watching the celebration online was totally surreal & I can only imagine what the energy inside the Staple Center must have been like.
I was moved many times almost to tears but I stayed strong plus, I did not want to be all crying in public. I do have a rep to maintain.
Anyway, the point I almost lost it for the first time was when my boo Queen Latifah read Maya Angelou’s poem “We Had Him”
“Beloveds, now we know that we know nothing, now that our bright and shining star can slip away from our fingertips like a puff of summer wind.
Without notice, our dear love can escape our doting embrace. Sing our songs among the stars and walk our dances across the face of the moon.
In the instant that Michael is gone, we know nothing. No clocks can tell time. No oceans can rush our tides with the abrupt absence of our treasure.
Though we are many, each of us is achingly alone, piercingly alone.
Only when we confess our confusion can we remember that he was a gift to us and we did have him.
He came to us from the creator, trailing creativity in abundance.
Despite the anguish, his life was sheathed in mother love, family love, and survived and did more than that.
He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style. We had him whether we know who he was or did not know, he was ours and we were his.
We had him, beautiful, delighting our eyes.
His hat, aslant over his brow, and took a pose on his toes for all of us.
And we laughed and stomped our feet for him.
We were enchanted with his passion because he held nothing. He gave us all he had been given.
Today in Tokyo, beneath the Eiffel Tower, in Ghana’s Black Star Square.
In Johannesburg and Pittsburgh, in Birmingham, Alabama, and Birmingham, England
We are missing Michael.
But we do know we had him, and we are the world.”
Maya’s (like we’re on 1st name basis) words are always on point and right on time. Her words are magical & legendary!
While watching the event I Tweeted live & it was awesome sharing this experience with others in real time from across the globe. A few of my Tweets:
- I’m sure the Staple Center will be filled with people just ready to jump into MJs casket. I hope they have it on lock down. #casketjumper about 14 hours ago
- This service would be over the top if Aretha came out singing “Trouble of the World.” That would break all the way down. #imitationoflife about 11 hours ago
- I’ll never forget when Lionel’s wife beat his ass. I haven’t cared for him since then. But I love the old music. about 12 hours ago
- When are they gonna open the casket? about 11 hours ago
- Al Sharpton either has a tapeworm or he got a gastric bypass. No matter what, he keeps it real & the perm is always fully coiffed & spritzed. about 11 hours ago
- Lets be honest, we’ve never seen a Negro’s funeral run this smooth. NEVER!!!! Its almost unnatural. about 11 hours ago
- I want one of them damn gloves! I must have one. Seriously!!! about 11 hours ago
You know me, it’s hard to stay serious when things are hectic. I have to resort to bullshitting.
So after work, I jumped in my car to head to Detroit to record the vibe at the Motown Museum/Hitsville USA. Have a look at my completed photojournal, which also includes photos from Harlem’s Apollo Theater. The pictures tell far more than I ever could.
Anonymous / July 8, 2009
Your tweets had me cracking up, because I was thinking the same thing on so many points.. I think Al Sharpton had a gastric bypass, he doesn't look like the type to willingly pass up a hot plate of fried chicken and greens. And when Jennifer Hudson walked out, for a brief panicked moment I thought it was Aretha, I was just praying she was fully covered..luckily it was Jennifer. And whenever I see Lionel I ALWAYS think about him getting beat down… but I do love the ol jams. But to the point at hand, I thought the memorial for Michael was lovely, and since I was at home watching, I let the tears go. He was a gift to us all and will be missed.
toni / July 8, 2009
Maya got to me too. I started crying when Latifah said the name "Maya Angelou". I didn't even need to hear the poem, I knew I was gonna be tore up!
Anonymous / July 9, 2009
Maya Angelou's words so completly captured what Michael meant to me. Maya is fabulous. I thought the memorial was well put together, it was a fitting tribute. I was watching at home, so I was balling through the whole thing.
Lips
Lola Gets / July 10, 2009
You have got to come by my blog and check out my "live blogging" of the memorial. And stick around to see my fave MJ song lists, too!
L
Peajai / July 10, 2009
I waited until I got home to watch (my supervisor sits in the next office!) and I fully admit that I cried through the entire thing. Pretty much the only time when my eyes were dry was when Mariah was singing, but I felt where she was coming from. LOL
If *anyone* had sang Trouble of the World I probably would have flung myself at the TV.