tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023640958277221986.post750846640839986530..comments2023-09-26T05:05:30.381-04:00Comments on soulbrother v.2: The Birth of a Nation: Notes on the Michael Jackson Memorial ServiceMax Reddickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09360630810931410487noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023640958277221986.post-76422735908638506932009-07-08T22:53:36.641-04:002009-07-08T22:53:36.641-04:00Great post. It was such a moving memorial service...Great post. It was such a moving memorial service. It definitely reminded me of how much Michael contributed to this world. Not just in music either. He's an icon. He will be sorely missed. I really thought about how life is so short. We never know when our end is coming. We should make sure we let those we love know it. We should also live life to the fullest.Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14832710800680256206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023640958277221986.post-78650212117182277402009-07-08T21:34:18.227-04:002009-07-08T21:34:18.227-04:00@ Orchid
Yes, Michael's life seemed to be dir...@ Orchid<br /><br />Yes, Michael's life seemed to be directed toward bringing people together. And maybe for a moment in time he did that if only through his unfortunate death.<br /><br />@ uglyblackjohn<br /><br />Can't complain about free food. Though you do need to find out who made the potato salad before you can eat it. You can't eat everyone's food.<br /><br />@ udee<br /><br />I'm sure reality will set in rather quickly.<br /><br />@ Gaunt, Ph.D.<br /><br />Yeah, Uncle Reverend Al brought it. Thank you for stopping by. And come back soon.<br /><br />@ na<br /><br />BET ought to be utterly ashamed of themselves. They were made to look like a second tier organization. And thanks for coming by and come back soon.Max Reddickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09360630810931410487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023640958277221986.post-31701286957686042822009-07-08T13:07:30.593-04:002009-07-08T13:07:30.593-04:00Thanks for this well written piece. I am so happy ...Thanks for this well written piece. I am so happy he went out in style. He lead a very non traditional lifestyle, but was blessed enough that his family made sure he went out with class and dignity. BET should be ashamed and not allowed to do any more tribute shows unless they consult whoever did MJ Tribute Memorial first.md20737https://www.blogger.com/profile/10885442119224791741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023640958277221986.post-40122695240971023812009-07-08T12:04:47.507-04:002009-07-08T12:04:47.507-04:00Instead of asking life to be different than it is,...Instead of asking life to be different than it is, we can relish the great joy and comfort such occasions create for us and the opporunity they are to remind us to create our own happiness between the funerals and weddings. This homegoing service was a gift not only from MIchael and his music, his family and his colleagues, but also from black people to the world. Homegoing celebrations allow both sorrow and joy to naturally live side by side. Joy and pain, are like sunshine and rain, sing it one more time.<br /><br />I balled during Stevie, Lionel, Mariah, all through the first 30 -50 mins of the service. Couldn't believe how moved I was. The casket made it real for me. And having the socially mediated experience of a black homegoing service broadcast to millions all over the world. A true testament to our culture. <br /><br />BTW, Al Sharpton!!!! Thank God for his passion for his people! <br /><br />I always remind my students, my white students, thata you may not agree with him, but you can respect his lifelong commitment to his community and people.Kyra Gaunt, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12350503744881463295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023640958277221986.post-58927212053758306392009-07-08T01:29:13.115-04:002009-07-08T01:29:13.115-04:00Well said, Max! We'd all love to be nostalgic...Well said, Max! We'd all love to be nostalgic and unified to celebrate and remember MJ. Then reality sets in. It's a sad cycle ... I wonder how long reality will set in this time.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03532921528895440703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023640958277221986.post-16193659965275201662009-07-07T23:04:39.121-04:002009-07-07T23:04:39.121-04:00I'd say that it should be weddings and funeral...I'd say that it should be weddings and funerals - but at a wedding, some sort of gift is expected.<br />At a funeral, you get to eat for free.<br /><br />I think every family makes these promises.uglyblackjohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14404995571276457138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023640958277221986.post-50605061106432216712009-07-07T22:20:35.510-04:002009-07-07T22:20:35.510-04:00oopsie! untied= united!oopsie! untied= united!Orchidhttp://africanorchid.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023640958277221986.post-31461845690263339672009-07-07T22:18:24.095-04:002009-07-07T22:18:24.095-04:00your post sums up the thoughts that came to me as ...your post sums up the thoughts that came to me as i watched the memorial. Michael wanted everyone to be untied, to treat each other better, to come together, and it is a darn shame that we have to wait till he's dead to find comfort in each others arms. Makes me even sadder...Orchidhttp://africanorchid.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023640958277221986.post-5305816212520110302009-07-07T19:22:50.279-04:002009-07-07T19:22:50.279-04:00@ Renee
You are certainly right! I remember this...@ Renee<br /><br />You are certainly right! I remember this old gospel song, "Please, Give Me My Flowers Before I Die." It would have been nice if we had shown MJ that appreciation before he died. I have resolved to do a better job of acknowledging my loved ones.<br /><br />@ Raina <br /><br />Thanks for the compliment.<br /><br />@ El Nuyorican <br /><br />It was his daughter Paris that got me. I was sitting there with my daughter at the time, and I thought about how my death might affect her.<br /><br />@Anon<br /><br />Yeah, Jermaine has been standing up for Lil' Bro all this week.<br /><br />@ CiCiwryter<br /><br />I concur. In only this world would!Max Reddickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09360630810931410487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023640958277221986.post-52632390042214411432009-07-07T19:14:04.576-04:002009-07-07T19:14:04.576-04:00It was a very touching homegoing and as you said e...It was a very touching homegoing and as you said everyone, lovers&haters of MJ, were brought together. One of the greatest moments in my family is the time we made the 'funeral promise' to get together and not let it be because of a death and kept it. It only happened once but I cherish that memory. If only this world....CiCiWryterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08437279105470362913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023640958277221986.post-20132958061376133422009-07-07T18:23:03.571-04:002009-07-07T18:23:03.571-04:00I did not get a chance to see Steve or Lionel. I h...I did not get a chance to see Steve or Lionel. I heard Lionel sang "Jesus Is Love" I would not have made it through that one. Usher pulled at my heart strings even further. I thought it was a beautiful service. I will be praying for the family, especially his kids and his sweet Mother.<br /><br />Looked like Jermaine wanted to breakdown everytime I saw his face.<br /><br />SIMONEAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023640958277221986.post-91523633307922317382009-07-07T17:28:12.634-04:002009-07-07T17:28:12.634-04:00Well said my friend... Stevie broke me, but then J...Well said my friend... Stevie broke me, but then J-Hud took me down.Eddiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09579585545543464648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023640958277221986.post-51659440066806621772009-07-07T17:05:13.306-04:002009-07-07T17:05:13.306-04:00Great post. I know what you mean. When my grandfat...Great post. I know what you mean. When my grandfather died I saw people I hadn't even known I was related too. The memorial was beautiful.RainaHavockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02019099371458545624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023640958277221986.post-6976327147673621582009-07-07T16:58:45.212-04:002009-07-07T16:58:45.212-04:00As I watched the memorial I actually did not think...As I watched the memorial I actually did not think about music, instead my thoughts were focused on the importance of family. Michaels death was so sudden and if we take nothing away from it but the knowledge that we should tell those we love each day how special they are then his life will not have been in vain. I kissed and hugged my little boy and knew in that moment peace and happiness. That is all any of us can ask for in life.Reneehttp://www.womanist-musings.comnoreply@blogger.com