On grief and responsibility…

I am disappointed in what I’ve seen today, across the landscape of the various social media. The world seemed to stop and hold its breath, as Michael Jackson was taken to the UCLA Medical Centre, unconscious and comatose, following cardiac arrest. And as the conflicting reports of whether or not he died hit the airwaves, suddenly there was an outpouring of sentiments over the “great loss” that people imagined his death to represent.

Yes, Michael Jackson was a gifted musician, and produced some wonderful music (particularly when he was younger). And yes, recognition for his success with the album Thriller is appropriate. But just as his accomplishments are recalled, so too must we recall that this was a deeply troubled, emotionally unstable and sexually inappropriate, irresponsible and unbalanced individual.

John Wayne Gacy was a gifted painter, Ted Bundy was a talented writer, and John Wilkes Booth was a talented actor. Yet when these men died, no one went out of their way to shed tears and hold vigils.

I am sorry for the loss experienced by the family and loved ones of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawsett. Their deaths, like the death of anyone, is a difficult and painful experience for those closest to them. And for the fans who imagine their world has changed, I am sorry as well… but only because such individuals have a distorted and warped perspective on life.

Where was the outpouring of grief over Neda, a young Iranian woman, whose brutal murder was captured in viral video footage? Or for the women and children murdered every single day for more than a decade in Darfur? Where was the outpouring of sadness for the families losing their homes, due to the banking debacle in the United States? Where was the “shock and disbelief” over evidence that should have caused Americans to demand a closer look into the “inside job” that occurred on 9/11?

Have we become so desensitised to the suffering around us that only the sensational stories Fox News and CNN want us to hear gets our attention?

Perhaps in death, Michael Jackson will finally achieve the peace and satisfaction that seemed to elude him throughout his troubled and disturbed life.

But I cannot help but think of the hundreds of thousands of people going to bed hungry tonight, who could be fed by the money that will be wasted on flowers, candles and other symbols of tribute for Jackson and Fawsett.

When I told folks of a family that was at risk of becoming homeless, after losing their home in a fire, ONE PERSON responded and made a donation to them. Is this how far we’ve sunk?

So please forgive me for not shedding a tear over the news of Michael Jackson’s and Farrah Fawsett’s death. My condolences and prayers are with their families and loved ones. But my attention remains on those who continue to suffer, whose voices are unheard.

Namasté!