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By Malcolm X Abram
Beacon Journal music writer
POSTED: 06:26 p.m. EDT, Jul 07, 2009
KENT: All around the world, Michael Jackson's fans gathered in front of their televisions or computer monitors to watch the all-star tribute today at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
At Kent State University's Oscar Ritchie Hall, a small group of fans gathered in a lecture hall to view the memorial service on a giant screen.
The tribute was organized by Kofi Khemet, an independent contractor for the university, as a way for fans to commiserate over the shock of Jackson's death and what he meant to them.
In the hall's lecture room, a small table had seven lit candles representing Jackson's place as the seventh son in the Jackson clan (and the date of the memorial), a few well-worn Jackson 5 albums and refreshments.
''When I heard that Michael Jackson was dead, I wanted to cuss,'' Khemet said as Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz reprised their version of I'll Be There on the big screen.
''I said to myself, what could I do, send flowers or money or a card to the family?
''None of those seemed like the right thing to do because it's not going to mean anything and they're going to get a thousand of those anyway,'' he said.
So, Khemet constructed a social-networking site at http://thejackson5.ning.com/ for fans to communicate.
''I thought that would be something special, not just for them but for all the people like me who felt that somebody ripped their heart out,'' he said.
Khemet's site has only been up a few days but he already has members from 34 states and six continents.
''It's really been a great thing to read the testimonials of people and to see their thoughts and to find out how he affected their lives. Some of the things made me want to cry when I read them.''
Khemet said he hopes to expand the site into more than just memories of Jackson, to inspire people to action.
''I want to build it into a global network of people that actually go into their own communities and doing humanitarian work in an attempt to do what Michael wanted to do, which is heal the world,'' Khemet said.
''If you really want to honor Michael, take $5 or $10 and feed a family in another country for a month or so, and on top of that, get out in the streets and interact with people in a positive way,'' he said.
Though the crowd was sparse with fans trickling in and out during the tribute, Khemet, who hastily organized the event in a day, considered it successful.
Among the fans gathered was Estee Manuel, 17, of Kent, who grew up with Jackson's music as a constant presence in the family home and her young life. Manuel decided not to watch the service at home.
''It's just a better feeling in this setting with the candles lit. It's more like a real memorial service, it's like you're there,'' she said.
Manuel said she is still recovering from the news of Jackson's death.
''It just hit you — that, wow, it's hard to believe he's dead. It blows my mind and I still can't get over it,'' Manuel said as Lionel Richie sang Jesus Is Love with a choir backing him.
Manuel couldn't pick one favorite song but said, ''Unlike artists of today, every one of his songs was genuine, and came straight from him. And every single one was a hit.''
Though she grew up during the era when ''Wacko Jacko'' received more headlines than Michael Jackson the singer/songwriter, Manuel, who will enter her freshman year at Kent next spring, is unfazed by the unflattering information.
''That's the part I don't want to remember,'' she said. ''I never believed any of those accusations anyway, so I was always more focused on him and his music, not the person people were trying to say he was.''
Malcolm X Abram can be reached at mabram@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3758.
From a celebrity's death, a very American memorial
Private Michael Jackson service precedes public memorial
Jackson's former publicist recalls 'innocent little man'
Retailers sell out quickly after death of Jackson
KENT: All around the world, Michael Jackson's fans gathered in front of their televisions or computer monitors to watch the all-star tribute today at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
At Kent State University's Oscar Ritchie Hall, a small group of fans gathered in a lecture hall to view the memorial service on a giant screen.
The tribute was organized by Kofi Khemet, an independent contractor for the university, as a way for fans to commiserate over the shock of Jackson's death and what he meant to them.
In the hall's lecture room, a small table had seven lit candles representing Jackson's place as the seventh son in the Jackson clan (and the date of the memorial), a few well-worn Jackson 5 albums and refreshments.
''When I heard that Michael Jackson was dead, I wanted to cuss,'' Khemet said as Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz reprised their version of I'll Be There on the big screen.
''I said to myself, what could I do, send flowers or money or a card to the family?
''None of those seemed like the right thing to do because it's not going to mean anything and they're going to get a thousand of those anyway,'' he said.
So, Khemet constructed a social-networking site at http://thejackson5.ning.com/ for fans to communicate.
''I thought that would be something special, not just for them but for all the people like me who felt that somebody ripped their heart out,'' he said.
Khemet's site has only been up a few days but he already has members from 34 states and six continents.
''It's really been a great thing to read the testimonials of people and to see their thoughts and to find out how he affected their lives. Some of the things made me want to cry when I read them.''
Khemet said he hopes to expand the site into more than just memories of Jackson, to inspire people to action.
''I want to build it into a global network of people that actually go into their own communities and doing humanitarian work in an attempt to do what Michael wanted to do, which is heal the world,'' Khemet said.
''If you really want to honor Michael, take $5 or $10 and feed a family in another country for a month or so, and on top of that, get out in the streets and interact with people in a positive way,'' he said.
Though the crowd was sparse with fans trickling in and out during the tribute, Khemet, who hastily organized the event in a day, considered it successful.
Among the fans gathered was Estee Manuel, 17, of Kent, who grew up with Jackson's music as a constant presence in the family home and her young life. Manuel decided not to watch the service at home.
''It's just a better feeling in this setting with the candles lit. It's more like a real memorial service, it's like you're there,'' she said.
Manuel said she is still recovering from the news of Jackson's death.
''It just hit you — that, wow, it's hard to believe he's dead. It blows my mind and I still can't get over it,'' Manuel said as Lionel Richie sang Jesus Is Love with a choir backing him.
Manuel couldn't pick one favorite song but said, ''Unlike artists of today, every one of his songs was genuine, and came straight from him. And every single one was a hit.''
Though she grew up during the era when ''Wacko Jacko'' received more headlines than Michael Jackson the singer/songwriter, Manuel, who will enter her freshman year at Kent next spring, is unfazed by the unflattering information.
''That's the part I don't want to remember,'' she said. ''I never believed any of those accusations anyway, so I was always more focused on him and his music, not the person people were trying to say he was.''
Malcolm X Abram can be reached at mabram@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3758.
Comments
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Akron, Oh
Posted 07:03 PM, 07/07/2009
Again, who cares?
''That's the part I don't want to remember,'' she said. ''I never believed any of those accusations anyway, so I was always more focused on him and his music, not the person people were trying to say he was.''
That's because she is like many Americans who honor this pedophile. It's called denial. And those who see this truth are not the least bit racist. I'm sure the same amount of stupid people love Osama Bin Laden for the same crippled reasons.
burlington, nc
Posted 07:13 PM, 07/07/2009
Idol Worship 101
Akron , Ohio
Posted 07:23 PM, 07/07/2009
Bilbo:
If i remember correctly he was aquitted of all rape charges, he was no pedophile,
Bin Laden is a known and ADMITTED terrorist who planned and organized the 9/11 events. How you can compare Bin Laden and Mike Jackson is beyond me.
He had his eccentricities and his bad judgement but he didn't abuse kids.
akron, oh
Posted 07:43 PM, 07/07/2009
Who cares. What a bunch of losers.
Kent, OH
Posted 07:44 PM, 07/07/2009
MusicStudent: What kind of innocent person pays off a plaintiff? If MJ was innocent of molestation charges from the get-go, he wouldn't have paid anyone off. Guilty people pay people off.
Barberton, OH
Posted 09:59 PM, 07/07/2009
I didn't watch but caught highlights on the news. Seeing his daughter break down like that, whatever people say he was, he was still a father and has left behind three heartbroken children.
Akron, Ohio
Posted 10:13 PM, 07/07/2009
Get a life losers!
akron, OH
Posted 10:22 PM, 07/07/2009
bilbo and his toadie friends can go back under the bridge.
It's like they never heard of show biz.
Easily, Michael Jackson was one of the top 10 entertainers of the last 10 years.
Lots of people care. Including that dutch bag bilbo...he clicked on the story, didn't he!
Akron, Oh
Posted 10:28 PM, 07/07/2009
If he did do the things he was accused of, he's answering for it now!He's not paying anyone off now.
Akron, Oh
Posted 10:30 PM, 07/07/2009
Michael Jackson's memorial tribute was fit for a King. All you critics need to remember that only in America, you are innocent until proven guilty. If I was in the spotlight as he was, I would have paid off losers to get rid of them. Now, let's admit it, he was bigger and better than Elvis, Frank Sinatra, etc. Accept it. Life goes on........
Canton, Oh
Posted 11:32 PM, 07/07/2009
These kids at KSU were not even born when MJ made his last album. I don't get it.
Stow, OH
Posted 01:03 AM, 07/08/2009
Michael Jackson was found not guilty which is wholly distinct from being innocent. To be found guilty, the evidence must go beyond a reasonable doubt. There can be quite a bit of evidence of a person's guilt and still leave room for enough doubt to avoid conviction.
Akron, OH
Posted 03:01 AM, 07/08/2009
This is ridiculous! These memorials should be focused on the soldiers that gave their lives for this country in the last two weeks. His daughters images were very moving but what about our soldiers. You worshipers are friggin' idiots.
And who fuels the fanatics? The media . . . they should be ashamed and held accountable at every turn.
Michael Jackson was a "pop" icon and made an impact on our culture with music and dance . . . HE DID NOT impact anything close as to give up his life so the rest of this nation could live peacefully.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Posted 05:44 AM, 07/08/2009
At least Fox News got it right! He had his day and now it's OVER! Move on people ... there are bigger and more important things going on in the world today. I personally would like to see a King Sized Memorial for all who have given their lives in these stupid wars the past seven years and continue to give their lives. They were a heck of a lot younger and didn't even get a chance to "make a difference."
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 05:47 AM, 07/08/2009
Time has run out. Enough of MJ already. he's now burning in hell where the perverted pedophile belongs. Why anyone would honor the life of this man is beyond me. Enjoy your eternity in the flames of hell without ice water and little kids to touch inappropriately Michael!
Posted 06:48 AM, 07/08/2009
Whoever watched the memorial is just another sheep grazing off the media's front lawn.
Get a clue, people die everyday, especially ones who were more important than Michael Jackson.
Akron, OH
Posted 06:57 AM, 07/08/2009
I've been truely amazed at the attention Jackson has received.
Here's a guy, whose only claim to fame in the last 20 years is the number children he allegedly abused.
akron, oh
Posted 07:24 AM, 07/08/2009
i think mike will be rememb'd for all his great work as a phenomenal entertainer and i think a real message in this whole tragedy is that its not easy being famous or in the spotlight it can drive you crazy especially having to live a certain way since childhood always in the spotlight we may think its fabulous but the celebrities i mean high profile ones like brittney, leslie, mike,anna nicole, paris,....you see how they act. it was a beautiful ceremony im upset i gave away a legendary mike jackson poster almost 12 years ago and i no i could of got some money off ebay.. darn it
akron, oh
Posted 07:45 AM, 07/08/2009
Gerald and Retired are right. The Country has no common sense! We will spend a week morning and worshiping a singer/dancer, but the soldiers, whose lives are on the line every day, we don't think twice about. Are you kidding me? It's because of the soldiers wer can listen to musice and dance when and how we want to. Let's not forget how we get that freedom. People, start worshiping someone who is actually doing something to impact the future of America.
akron, oh
Posted 08:01 AM, 07/08/2009
i understand what your saying and thats america for you the soliders arent put in the spot lot singers and video's are what we watch an listen too he did bring people together through music..and about the child molestation charges he was found not guilty. if someone did something to anyone of your children would you want a paycheck or for that person to go to jail.. these people were paid they were after money.
Akron, oh
Posted 09:08 AM, 07/08/2009
We got a comment box for the death of a pedifile and we do not have a blog box for the white family attacked on a hate crime.
What kind of reporting standads does the ABJ have?
akron, oh
Posted 09:30 AM, 07/08/2009
Do you really think ABJ would allow poeple to comment for that article. That's what I'm saying, this country is screwed up. Worship a man who did nothing but sing, but don't acknowledge our service man/woman, firefigthers, police officers. These people put their lives on line for all of us. Then this is how we act. I am so embarrassed to have outsiders looking in. It's a horrible shame.
Alos, I can't believe the police won't say it's a hate crime...Do anyone not hear what they said to the people they jumped? Hello? Not much more hate then that.
Akron, Oh
Posted 09:34 AM, 07/08/2009
MusicStudent1988 - he was a pedophile who got aquitted. It happens all the time. Quit trying so hard to be obtuse. And I wasn't comparing Jackson to Bin Laden. Learn to read. BTW how do you know BinLaden is guilty? He has never been tried.
Akron, Oh
Posted 09:36 AM, 07/08/2009
hotmom - you are simply stupid. How about all those Catholics who got paid off by the Church? Do you really believe those payoffs are indicative of the priests' innocence. Like I said you are simply stupid.
Akron, Oh
Posted 09:37 AM, 07/08/2009
Lie Detector - watch out moron minna will call you a racist with no grounds for doing so.
Akron, Oh
Posted 09:46 AM, 07/08/2009
hotmom = armchair shrink. she knows everything about what makes people tick. Tell us more oh brainless one. And, let's hope you're not really a mom.
akron, oh
Posted 09:55 AM, 07/08/2009
well, lie, I tried to respond to you, but our lovely ABJ didn't like what I typed so, you'll never see it. SO let me try again: This is what I was trying to say in my earlier blog, This country is crazy, let the world stop for a funeral of a singer/crazy man, but when a serious crime happens in our community the community of ABJ, we can't even blog about it. Are you kidding me?
akron, oh
Posted 10:01 AM, 07/08/2009
sorry, i guess i rushed to that....oops
Akron, OH
Posted 12:50 PM, 07/08/2009
You tell 'em, Grump. The voice of sanity.
Akron, OH
Posted 12:55 PM, 07/08/2009
I'd rather watch that than a KSU game on the screen! GO ZIPS!!!!
Make the world a better place... punch a Steeler fan in the face, .
Posted 12:57 PM, 07/08/2009
Leave bilbo alone. He's just acting on his KSU-envy. He doesn't mean what he said about MJ.
Make the world a better place... punch a Steeler fan in the face, .
Posted 01:01 PM, 07/08/2009
Wow OldManGrump! For someone with a stand-by ticket to the other side, I'd be careful with the judgmentalism, especially when it's based on allegations.
Posted 01:54 PM, 07/08/2009
"Now, let's admit it, he was bigger and better than Elvis, Frank Sinatra, etc. Accept it. Life goes on........" Ms. Blackfantastic you have got to be kidding me!!! Bigger and better than Elvis and Sinatra? I think not. He was the self proclaimed King of Pop! He gave himself that title when he was in a Pepsi commerical. Elvis Presley helped to make rock and roll music what it is today, he is worthy of his title "The King of Rock and Roll". Elvis and Frank Sinatra had more talent and class in their left nostril than Michael Jackson had in his entire bleached out surgically altered body. You didn't see either of them dangling their kids from hotel balconies or dressing them up in Halloween masks when they were in public. He was a pedophile - an innocent person doesn't give $20 million to someone to be quiet, especially those types of charges. You fight the charges and clear your name. A grown man does not invite young boys that are NOT his children to sleep in his bed and see nothing wrong with it. That is SICK. And yes, those kids' parents are just as guilty and twisted. When Elvis died, about 250 thousand people lined the streets of Memphis. LAPD were predicting numbers greater than that and less than 2000 people were out. Now again tell me who was bigger and better!
Akron, OH
Posted 02:11 PM, 07/08/2009
@ Minna Wade
EVERY soldier, police officer and fireman are more important than ANYTHING MJ ever did.
You have NO perspective on reality.
@ Mrs. Blackfantastic
I hate to break your bubble - but ALL the white performers you mentioned were bigger and are still more popular than M J - which I believe was your specific intention you racist d o u c h e bag!
Make the world a better place... punch a Steeler fan in the face, .
Posted 02:43 PM, 07/08/2009
jennifer,
You like Elvis and Sinatra and other people like MJ. To each, his (her) own.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_music_artists#1_billion_records_or_more
Posted 02:44 PM, 07/08/2009
If Michael Jackson and Sinatra were competing in the business Ole Frankie boy could've put a hit out on Ms. MJ and not had to pay anyone off to clear his name....
Now who was bigger?
Make the world a better place... punch a Steeler fan in the face, .
Posted 02:45 PM, 07/08/2009
Gerard,
By your logic, we should celebrate nothing and should instead devote our daily focus to police, firefighters and soldiers.
Stop the cynicism and lighten up.
akron, oh
Posted 04:03 PM, 07/08/2009
Jason - I know that Gerald didn't mean not to celebrate anythiung, but when you take over a week to mourne the death of a rock star and it's on every channel 24/7, then you get a little blurb about a soldier, policeman and firemen, it makes them seem unimportant. Let me think, singing or risking your life every day. Yeah I think I know who I would rather idol or even want to hear the media act like they repsect our military. Again, without the military we would not be able to listen to any music like MJ.
akron, oh
Posted 04:04 PM, 07/08/2009
and before someone else does....i know iknow spell check mourn and anything.....Jason just got me so worked up...
Stow, OH
Posted 04:09 PM, 07/08/2009
I do not usually get too upset when some entertainer I really did not know dies. That being the case, Michael Jackson's death did not stir much emotion in me. I began to search my past and was trying to think of times when a death like this did move me. The person who came mind was Johnny Carson. I was, when younger, a regular Tonight Show viewer and I felt a sense of loss at his passing. I was disgusted when John Lennon was murdered mostly because of the senselessness of it. Beyond that, I cannot remember another such time.
Make the world a better place... punch a Steeler fan in the face, .
Posted 04:28 PM, 07/08/2009
tracis0525,
The media is providing content that people watch. They don't run 24/7 military profiles because people don't watch en masse. The tail doesn't wag the dog. Do you know how many hours of MJ coverage I've watched in the last week? Maybe an hour. Contrary to the cynics here, there is a MJ-free media available.
I can't help but think of Bill Maher's joke right now about the guy with (paraphrasing) 20 flags on his truck telling the guy with one flag on his car to "go back to Afghanistan." Words are empty, actions are not.
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:35 PM, 07/08/2009
Let me guess.....Kant State cancelled classes so the kids could attend? More than likely got a few credit hours, as well.
akron, oh
Posted 10:57 PM, 07/08/2009
Yes, what an interesting class How to grow up a black child superstar and then fade into a white drug-addicted pedophile... but still make enough hits that the rev Al Sharpton makes a special appearance at your funeral and compares you to the likes of the greatest civil rights activist of all time. Notice how African Americans with morals (Oprah, Obama etc) have the sense not to get in the middle of this BS. Would it be ok if I invited your children to come sleep with me in my bed because I claim to be some form of man/child. No so what was alright about this idiot doing it... Nothing. It just goes to show with enough money and a famous LA lawyer you could get away with just about anything... KENT STATE SUCKS GO ZIPS!
Akron, OH
Posted 03:21 AM, 07/09/2009
@ The_Original_Jason . . .
Next time there is an emergency with you or a family member, why don't you give a shout out to Michael, Tito, or LaToya and see if they will help you out. Everything soldiers, fireman and policeman do is more important than anything M J ever did - compare apples to oranges if you want - you and your comments are weak at most.
There are people who watch and people who act . . . and you are obviously a watcher. Don't worry -If you want a celebration then wait for your birthday and hope that someone cares enough to show up! Weeeeeeee!
The celebration for M J was justified for a couple days and NOTHING more. I am not going to
lighten up" over a ridiculous parade of dedications that could have been piled into a 24 hour period and the soldiers that died over the last two weeks didn't even merit a "breaking news" or "headline". The media is ridiculous and you're just another sucker l i c k i n g the c r a p stick.
Manila, PH
Posted 08:44 AM, 07/09/2009
Michael Jackson is such a big lost in the music industry since he was the "King of POP" and he gave a big distribution in music scene. He was not only great in his music, he has good heart for children and cares for them. He was a good man behind cameras because of good will he made off cameras. Your #1 Michael Jackson you are one of a KIND!
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:29 AM, 07/09/2009
Class wasnt in session at Kent but I doubt that matters to this sick sad lot...why comment if you're just whining...can't you whine to yourself and spare the rest of us?
