Tonight I sit alone in the dark with only the beam of my monitor to keep me company. Often, once darkness falls and the house is quiet, my thoughts center around Michael Jackson. As I do in times where my sorrow and grief engulf my emotions, I look for comfort and solace in Michael's music. Scrolling through Youtube, one of my most favorite and memorable performances by Michael was his "Gone Too Soon" performance at the 1992 Clinton Inauguration Celebration in 1992.As I was listening to Michael sing this beautiful song that he sang after Ryan White's death in his memory, I remembered a CBS article that Ryan's mother gave after Jackson's own death. I'm not going to give a detailed history of Ryan White or his relationship with Jackson, other than to say when Ryan was diagnosed with AIDS, he was shunned from his own community. We have to remember that in that time period, EVERYONE was terrified of AIDS. Ryan was barred from his school and his community rejected him. But not Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson befriended the young Ryan White, and advocated for him and for AIDS research for the rest of his life.
(You can read more about Ryan's story in his own words here.)
After Michael died, Ryan's mother gave an interview to CBS, see the link above. Mrs. White-Ginder stated that both she and Ryan were invited to Neverland many times in Ryan's short life. Ginder-White stated that although cameras were not normally allowed at Jackson's ranch, Michael arranged for Ryan to have his own camera and take pictures freely there. Ginder-White added that she felt Michael was "amazed" with Ryan, because Ryan did not want anyone to feel sorry for him, nor did he blame anyone for his disease. She also added that she had no reservations letting Ryan stay at Neverland, with or without her.
"He didn't care what race you were, what color you were, what your handicap was, what was your disease....Michael just loved all children."
White-Ginder stated that Jackson had given Ryan a red Mustang for his 18th birthday. The Mustang was at Ryan's funeral, that Michael Jackson attended (along with Ryan's good friend Elton John.) Michael started the car at the funeral, and Man in the Mirror was playing in the CD player.
Ryan's mom stated that "the little things made Michael so happy. You could see it in his eyes. He was smiling from ear to ear and he said, 'I was the last person that Ryan listened to.' And I said yes, because Ryan listened to Man in the Mirror over and over and over again."
3 days after Ryan died, Michael Jackson called Mrs. White-Ginder because he had promised that Ryan could be in his next video, but Ryan died. Michael Jackson made the video in honor of Ryan White, who was gone too soon, dying at the tender age of 18. ___________________________________________________________________
This is why so many advocate for the legacy of Michael Jackson. We know that the media conspired against him along with many others and that he did not see total vindication in his lifetime. Yet his children and his family, his friends and his fans ARE still here on earth, and so we continue to campaign against the tabloid trash that still continues to exploit him.
We must remember what Michael's base message was...and that was to love one another, even if we are considered to be "different". With that, we cannot continue to attack one another, but LEARN from our differences. We all want justice. We all want vindication. We all want to see Michael's legacy changed in the eye of the majority of the public. We must stand as one on the most important aspects of Michael Jackson's legacy. We cannot ever lose sight that at the core, it's all for L.O.V.E.
4 comments:
Thank you Justice. What an important story. I don't have the source, but just the other day I read an account where Michael was told by his advisors that he shouldn't swim in his pool with Ryan because of AIDS. He contacted a doctor who said it was not a problem and so Michael proceeded to swim with Ryan to the dismay of his "advisors." Michael didn't let other people's irrational fears influence him. Bravo Michael!!! That must have meant a great deal to Ryan. Ryan's loss was a sad one for so many on many different levels.
Justice,this story of Michael and Ryan White is so important. Elton John (whom I greatly admire and surely has suffered his own challenges in this life) has received most acclaim for his generous efforts on Ryan's behalf, but IMO we all are aware it was Michael who was the stalwart prince when it came to Ryan White. Michael's rendition of Gone Too Soon at the Clinton inaugural brought (and still brings when I play it over and over) tears to my eyes; and it was so sadly applicable at Michael's own memorial (poor Usher had such an emotional time getting through it). Ryan's mother spoke so eloquently of Michael's contributions to Ryan's life; so very touching.
And, Justice, I agree all fans should come together and eliminate the word "attack" from all MJ related blogs and posts. Michael did not "attack" nor would he condone it in his supporters.
Michael has promise Ryan that he would do something for him on his up coming album but sadly he died before, hance "gone too soon"
In Mj own word to president-elect Clinton "He is gone but I want his life to have meaning beyond his passing" those are some very strong word that I never think I would use back to the man the spoke them,
Mj is gone but I want his life to be a great lesson to us the good the bad and the beautiful, we really don't need to fight Mj in his too short a life was not a warring person, he go on the defance very few time that we know of.
Michael spend his time giving to others very little have been said and many down play the 20% he leave in his will for charity to benefited children.
How many knew that when princess Diana died Michael permitted "gone too soon" to be include on a tribute album, with all the proceed from sale going to P/Diana memorial fund.
It is very sad that many are hateing and fighting in Michael name, fronting there action for justice is the worst kind of injustice you can honor someone with who was a peace loving man.
I thank the blogger of this blog for doing this out of his or her heart. There are many of us who take on MJ cause because we were eye witness to what happen to Michael.
It is the same love Mj had in his heart for Ryan white when he says " I want
Ryan life to have meaning beyond his passing.
I want Michael Jackson life to have meaning beyond his passing, that the awful way he was treated is outlawed and no other person be treated that way, because they dare to be different.
Alot of us share that love and volunteer our time for FREE to fight discrimination and all the elements of it. it is a cause for us.
This is my story and I am sticking to it, peace and love are not words but a way
of life to be peaceable with all as far as we can go.
Wonderful Blog Post And Justice! So appropriate at this time! I just hope all can get beyond their differences and join together...with one goal in mind MJJ's Legacy!!
Again Kudos to you and your post! Thanks!
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