So now there’s a 1,500-word resolution before the House Foreign Affairs Committee to declare Michael Jackson “an American legend and musical icon” and a “global humanitarian.” It was introduced by Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, who also spoke at this week’s Jackson memorial.
Now, I’m really glad Jackson is getting the credit he deserves as a musical genius. But I don’t like the casual use of the word “icon” for the same reason that a former Managing Editor of Entertainment Weekly didn’t: As he used to say, “An icon is ‘an object of uncritical devotion’ and usually a religious image. Stars aren’t either of those things.” In fact, he banned the use of the word “icon” from EW for a while.
I think the government has a lot more on its collective mind right now than having to pass a resolution about Michael Jackson. I say, let Michael continue to be lauded; let the rediscovery of his music flourish. But having the government declare him an “icon”? Not necessary, distracting, and maybe even a bit embarrassing. What say you?
Comments (1-30) of 246 Add your comment
This is getting WAY out of control! Where was this joke of a bill when he was alive? Oh that’s right- he’s been a punchline for the past 15 years. Glad the government is hard at work focusing on the important issues facing our nation! Can we please move on and realize at the end of the day he was just an entertainer…a great entertainer…but still, just an entertainer.
I agree that he was a musical genius and a great humanitarian. However, the government does have better things to do. Does the economy ring a bell?
I love me some Mike Jack, but this is lil too much. Leave this sorta thing to the MTV Video Vangaurd and Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame folks. Shouldn’t be in the U.S. gov’t.
He was a great artist, not so much any more. But he’s a flawed human not a saint for sure!
The government does more embarrassing things every day.
Well no. We need our politicians stick with important issues like the economy, the environment, and the war in Afganistan and Iraq then to honor a man that thinks its ok for him to sleep with children in his bed that are not his kids. I think he got off the charge of pedo because of his family may or maynot paid off the witness that testified against him.
He did so many things for the poor and sick. It’s just incredible. I can’t think of any other entertainer on this planet who’s helped as many people as him. I mean, he even adresses the poor and sick in his music too! And has always shown great respect for those who serve this country, even mentioning them in his songs. He brings the entire world together as one through his music and dance, in harmony. And a single man who can do that is as much honorable as a soldier or a fireman. He’s one of a kind and deserves this. “Now there’s a lesson to learn. Respect’s not give, it’s EARNED.” – Michael Jackson. And he has certainly earned this.
He did so many things for the poor and sick. It’s just incredible. I can’t think of any other entertainer on this planet who’s helped as many people as him. I mean, he even adresses the poor and sick in his music too! And has always shown great respect for those who serve this country, even mentioning them in his songs. He brings the entire world together as one through his music and dance, in harmony. And a single man who can do that is as much honorable as a soldier or a fireman. He’s one of a kind and deserves this. “Now there’s a lesson to learn. Respect’s not give, it’s EARNED.” – Michael Jackson. And he has certainly earned this.
The Michael madness needs to stop. He was an extremely talented individual with serious personal flaws. The health care system is a mess and the economy is still in trouble. Refocus folks.
Sheila Jackson Lee is the same congresswoman who once demanded that the National Weather Service give “African American names” to hurricanes.
I have a problem with MJ being singled out for his charitable contributions (either $ or services) given that he was at least $400M in debt when he died. That means that whatever $ — or free performances — that he gave were not his to give. He had to have stiffed a huge number of people and businesses. Think about how you would feel if someone borrowed $10K from you (with no intention to pay it back) and spent $8K on trips and clothes and TVs and gave away the other $2K. Would you think he should be lauded as a great charitable giver for the $2K he contributed?
If we refocus away from his message to heal the world, make it a better place and to take a looks at yourself and make a change, sure NOTHING will get solved. my favourite quote from him is “We could change the world tomorrow. This could be a better place. If you don’t like what I’m saying, then won’t you SLAP MY FACE!”
Chapel, you also have to realize that man had 1,500 lawsuits filed against him during his entire life for stupid reasons from all those bloodsuckers around him. Instead of going to court countless times he just paid the money. And when they sued Michael, they sued him for millions, not thousands. So that contributed to the debt itself. Think about it. 1,500 lawsuits. millions of dollars for nearly each one. That’s a lot of money he is forced to give away.
I think two straight weeks of wall-to-wall coverage of Michael Jackson is enough. The man was a great entertainer, but that’s it. He was a singer and a dancer and does NOT need to have Congress grant him icon status. Please. We are becoming a country of pop culture lunacy.
boo hoo, ken tucker! let them call him an icon! people refer to marilyn monroe as an icon all the time and she definitely did not do the humanitarian work that mj did. there are plenty of style “icons” as well. drop your uptight definition and review the latest season of entourage on dvd.
I find any judgmentalism hurled again a man who was found NOT GUILTY to be offensive. The decision about whether or not to honor him or make a stamp out of him should have nothing whatsoever to do with the unproven allegations against him — many of which were made by people with very shady backgrounds and character.
Chapel: He might have been in debt when he died, but his money troubles just started recently. He’s been giving your decades before that. It also sows really great chracter, btw, that people didn’t talk much about how much he gave, a lot of people didn’t know about how much he gave. Now, if a celebrity is giving money to a charity we have to have a picture in the magazines of them handing someone a check and shaking an executive’s hand.
an american legend he was a world icon a brillant person america should be proud and he needs to be honoured he deserves no less in fact he deserves fAR more michael is the most wonderful lovely person so caring yet so sad a life he had we love you michael xxxxxx
I agree with Nancy Pelosi who said that it’s a better idea, if a congressperson wants to pay homage to MJ, to just do it during a speech on the floor. A resolution is going to open a firestorm of controversy and debate, which will waylay other matters of state and, quite frankly, lower the Congress and U.S. into a really embarrassing and tawdry morass of a situation.
It’s fine with me if people call him an icon, how is he not iconic? How could he not be?
Just no need for Congress to make it official. It’s already the case, de facto. Done.
“people refer to marilyn monroe as an icon all the time and she definitely did not do the humanitarian work that mj did.”
Really? Blowing JFK seems quite charitable to me.
Glad our politicians have such important things to focus on. As for MJ’s character, etc., I personally find it equally idiotic and offensive that there are people who consider him a “humanitarian” as I do those who call him a “pervert”. Giving a concert and saying nice words aren’t actually DOING anything to make the world a better place or to relieve anyone’s suffering. In the end, it might be nice if the public would let this talented, flawed, tortured soul rest in peace and withhold ALL judgements. He was a man and an entertainer; we didn’t know him, so that’s really all that any of us can intelligently state about him. I am glad that so many politicians have deemed it necessary to get in their completely unnecessary two cents’ worth.
jonesy: “I find any judgmentalism hurled again a man who was found NOT GUILTY to be offensive. The decision about whether or not to honor him or make a stamp out of him should have nothing whatsoever to do with the unproven allegations against him — many of which were made by people with very shady backgrounds and character.”
So I assume by the same reasoning, Congress should pass a resolution honoring OJ Simpson for his athletic achievements while ignoring all of his more recent controversies? After all, he WAS found not guilty of murder…
I disagree.
Isembard: He gave monetarily, so your whole comment practically means nothing. If all he had done was give free concerts and say a few nice words no one would be talking about this right now.
It won’t matter anyway, see the following:
HOH’s One-Minute Recess: Pelosi Strikes Down Jacko Bill
July 9, 2009, 12:38 p.m.
By Emily Heil and Elizabeth Brotherton
Roll Call Staff Updated: 2:30 p.m.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee said Thursday that she’s working on what to do next after Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced earlier in the day that the Texas Democrat’s controversial bill honoring pop icon Michael Jackson would not be sent to the House floor.
“We’ll be in touch,” Jackson Lee said.
“I don’t think it’s necessary to have a resolution,” Pelosi told reporters at a news conference, adding that such a bill would open the issue up “to contrary views.”
But Pelosi did call Jackson a “great, great performer” and note there was “lots of sadness” after his death. She added that Members are welcome to offer their personal tributes to the King of Pop on the House floor.
Okay, so I’m going to make several small posts since this thing won’t let me post a larger comment.
By the way, I don’t believe that MJ should have a government sanction as an icon.
He was a great entertainer, a very charitable man, but that doesn’t make him any less flawed.
I don’t believe he messed with children, but we know he was on drugs