| | Overrated...
There are times when it is clear to me that talent and/or genuis is overrated. What really matters? Take Amy Winehouse.(although I don't know her music and I am not sure I would call her talented if I heard it, but the "experts" say she is.) She is a mess. She has a history of being under the influence during shows she performs of alcohol and drugs. People pay money to see her and in return she gives a drug induced shoddy performance. In these moments, she is not talented. She is a thief.
Now, after hearing about Michael Jackson death and watching all the commentary I do believe he left a huge mark in the entertainment industry. However, for me he was a tragic figure. I was a fan of Michael growing up. I'm not sure anyone could or can dance like him. He was the King of Pop. His fingerprint has impacted music forever and I have no reservations putting him in the same conversation as Elvis and the Beatles.
But life cannot be compartmentalized. Jamie Foxx in his tribute on BET said something like, "We need to honor this black man and I don't care about what his skin color was or what his nose looked like, it was about how he sounded." That is compartmentalizing one's life. It doesn't matter what his nose looked like, but it was clear that his interactions with children, in particular boys was inappropriate.(I know nothing was proven and maybe he never did touch those with him inappropriately) However, if we take a step back he was inappropriate when he put those kids in those situations. It was his own selfishness that needed kids to sleep in his bed with him. Putting questions around what actually happened. You don't do that to children period! You have a responsibility as an adult. He was obviously mentally ill and those around him(handlers) also weren't doing a whole lot above board. When we ignore everything else and claim his greatness for his talent we lie about his life. He had a tragic life and a tragic death. There truly is very little to celebrate when we are honest about the whole situation.
So what can I take from this lesson. It is not about what my talent accomplishes in life. It is about how I loved and cared for people, period. My hope is that my life and death can be celebrated for what can never be overrated.
-Todd
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| | Posted 6/30/2009 9:39 AM - 1 View - 0 eProps - 0 comments
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