I was fortunate enough to have been in attendance for Michael Jackson's memorial service today. The service was held at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. Over 1 million people registered for tickets to the memorial. Only 8 750 were selected in a lottery to receive 2 tickets. My friends Robert and Ray were among the lucky few. Thanks to Robert for inviting me.
We left early, expecting a ton of traffic and people afoot, knowing that several streets would be closed to traffic this day. There were so many police around. I think the entire payroll of the LAPD was on duty this day. I saw just about every means of police transport aside from the mobile SWAT station and the battering ram. There were police on foot, in black and whites (reg. squad cars), in unmarked cars, on horseback, on bicycles, on segways and even golf carts.
Everything was calm and orderly. There were a handful of pricks holding signs reading, "GOD HATES FAGS," "JACKO IN HELL," "GOD HATES YOU" --just some wicked stuff. But worry not, these are the true sinners who twist the word of the Lord and Jesus who will be going to hell. Just some of the scum of the Earth that Michael had to endure whilst alive. Gosh bless their right to free speech, though.
We got to our seats on the premier level, right in front of the luxury suites. Decent view. The service began with Smokey Robinson reading condolences from Dianna Ross and Nelson Mandela. There was then a long break. As Michael's family and other celebrities, like Kobe Bryant, entered the arena the crowd clapped and cheered. Then they brought in Michael's coffin. Standing-O. There were a pair of young ladies in front of us that were totally distraught over Michael's passing. One knew they were the kind that would cry and scream and faint at a concert. Here they could barely hold it together. Such was the power of Michael. I'm sure many like them were stationed throughout the arena, nearly hysterical over the tremendous grief and sense of loss we all felt on some level.
It really was a beautiful service. I'm sure i need not describe it as i'll bet most of the world was watching. I especially liked the performance by Stevie Wonder--another legend in the industry who also got his start as a child. My favorite speech/eulogy was delivered by the Reverend Al Sharpton. All the eulogies and performances were moving, though. From the lightheartedness of Magic Johnson's rememberances to the struggle of Brooke Shields'. I don't think anyone left the arena who hadn't shed a tear or at least welled up a bit. If the rest of the service didn't get to you, then surely the end did, when one of Michael's children spoke. Truley heartbreaking, truely.
It was a very emotional ceremony. Before we left this morning, my friend asked if i was gonna cry as he stuffed tissue into his pocket. I scoffed and said, "no." I did not expect the service to be so moving to me. I shed a tear more than once. I don't think that if i had watched it on TV that i'd've had the same emotional reactions. There is something about being in that space with all that emotion. To be there to hear the cries and wails in the arena between speakers and performers, which one could not hear on the telecast. People shouting out to Michael, as he lay inside his golden casket--truely befitting of a king. Shouting out, "Michael, i love you!" "Michael, you are my hero!" "Long live the king of pop!" and such and hearing the applauding approval from the rest of the crowd after each shout. To hear the emotion in their wails. To see people fall to their knees crying out for their hero. To feel the emotion vibrate though your skin to your bone--through your heart and soul--from the voices of the performers and eulogizers like Usher and Marlon. It is just something which cannot be transmitted though airwaves and LCD screens. It truely was an experience i shall never forget.
Michael, may you finally rest forever in peace. You touched the world and we shall never forget.
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