Michael Jackson

My school homework: A person who has a great influence in my life

It was his iconic dance moves that grabbed my attention. His music video for his song named Beat It was screening on the television. At that moment, I had no idea what the song could probably mean, I didn't even know what he was singing. But there was no doubt that the song was so catchy that I stopped my work and sat in front of the television instead, until my eyes were sated with amazement, watching one of his greatest work of all time. I bet you could tell who the man I was describing is. Yes, I mean Michael Jackson, an American musician and entertainer who spent over forty years in the public eye.

Beat It!

I heard no news of him, not even a single one, until he was dead of a cardiac arrest. Perhaps it was because I didn't really check on the gossips about the artistes. I wondered why his death could cause such deep agony to people around the globe. From the TV screen and newspaper, what could be seen was countless fans of his were crying and wailing in sadness, knowing him, the King of Pop was gone. After watching the music video that contributed to his success in his career, my curiosity lured me to checking him out.

I was taken aback, exploring the story of his life, though not personally. But he, indirectly, has certainly influenced me in so many ways that I could never imagine.

Even though he had known stardom from an early age, he was always humble and down-to-earth. He could have lived a luxurious life without having to worry about the world problems since he had enough money to finance whatever whim he fancied. But he didn't do that. Instead, he voiced out for the victims of police brutality, helped the unprivileged children, combated AIDS, supported numerous charitable organizations and left us with an important message, that is, to heal the world. And this made him nothing short of a noble person.

Michael Jackson, receiving Good Scout Humanitarian Award.

Through his humanitarian effort and his singing that ranged across global issues, he opened my mind. He taught me to keep the faith even though he himself had lost all trust due to his abused childhood. He taught me to cherish the earth and save it for our future generation. He taught me to turn swords into ploughshares. I learned so much from him. His contribution to the world cannot be measured, not only in his effort to make the world a better place, but to the musical industry as well.

He helped the less fortunate throughout his life.

Many people choose to remember him as the surgical-mask-wearing eccentric, the father who dangled his child over a balcony or the man said to have bought the bones of Elephant Man. But I’d rather remember him as a talented, brilliant and honorable man with a child’s heart. He deserved the respect the media didn’t give to him. I have never met him personally but I feel truly blessed to have known him and to have let him influence me to help in accomplishing his mission, or shall I say, our mission, heal the world.