Moving forward using all my breath
Making love to you was never second best
I saw the world thrashing all around your face
Never really knowing it was always mesh and lace

I’ll stop the world and melt with you
You’ve seen the difference and it’s getting better all the time
There’s nothing you and I won’t do
I’ll stop the world and melt with you
(You should know better?)
Dream of better lives the kind which never hate
(You should see why)
dropped in the state of imaginary grace
(You should know better?)
I made a pilgrimage to save this humans race
(You should see why)
What I’m comprehending a race that long gone bye
(I’ll stop the world)
I’ll stop the world and melt with you
(I’ll stop the world)
You’ve seen the difference and it’s getting better all the time
(Let’s stop the world)
There’s nothing you and I won’t do
(Let’s stop the world)
I’ll stop the world and melt with you

The future’s open wide

(Let’s stop the world)
I’ll stop the world and melt with you
(Let’s stop the world)
I’ve seen some changes but it’s getting better all the time
(Let’s stop the world)
There’s nothing you and I won’t do
(Let’s stop the world)
I’ll stop the world and melt with you

The future’s open wide

hmmm hmmm hmmm
hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm
hmmm hmmm hmmm
hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm

I’ll stop the world and melt with you
(Let’s stop the world)
You’ve seen the difference and it’s getting better all the time
(Let’s stop the world)
There’s nothing you and I won’t do
(Let’s stop the world)
I’ll stop the world and melt with you
(Let’s stop the world)
I’ll stop the world and melt with you
(Let’s stop the world)
I’ll stop the world and melt with you
(Let’s stop the world)

Vs.

There is a debate going on on Facebook between myself and Thomas Mitchell Sr. who is widely known throughout the FAMU community.  The question is specifically “Who is the best all around entertainer, Michael Jackson or Sammy Davis Jr?  Mr. Mitchell cedes that Michael was the better entertainer but that Sammy was the best all around based on the fact that Sammy was a dancer, singer, actor, comedian, and played three musical instruments.

I countered that physical talents cannot be the only parameters to answer his question.  You have to take into account business acumen and the use of technology as well.  Michael Jackson owned his body of work and will continue to generate income after his death.  Sammy Davis died broke.  The poll is open for two weeks from today.

I had absolutely no plans to watch the memorial service today for Michael Jackson.  I don’t do funerals or weddings.  Weddings, because it is pretty much a funeral anyway.  And funerals because I have no desire to see someone laying in a $3,000 box and listening to words that would not have been spoken had that person still been alive.  I have no use for the dead!  But I couldn’t escape the service today.  It was either that or watching the Food Network and I pretty much hate Rachel Ray.  What was truly amazing is that BET (Black Eradication Television) aired the service which in and of itself is remarkable because during 9/11 they refused to cut away from their videos.

There were two moments during the service that stood out for me.  The first was the Rev. Al Sharpton addressing Michael Jackson’s children when he said “There was nothing strange about Michael Jackson but rather the circumstances that he had to deal with were strange!”  This particular statement prehaps drew the most applause of the entire service.  I felt that it was a bit odd to make this statement.  It gives legitimacy to the things we all don’t want to talk about.  I have previously written on how I want to remember Michael Jackson.  I don’t want anyone to disparage what he meant to me as a fan and admirer.

The second moment was at the end of the service when Michael’s daughter Paris bravely stood up in front of 18,000 people and told the world how much she loved her daddy.  I felt a tear well up in my eye.  Watch!

“Death is more universal than life; everyone dies but not everyone lives.” – A. Sachs.  You certainly lived Michael.  Goodbye!  Slideshow curtesy of Huffington Post.

Remember a few years ago when the prisoners at a Philippine prison did the infamous Thriller dance in the prison courtyard?  Word is that it dramatically cut down on prison violence.  The Warden there was a visionary.  Now if we could only get those chuckleheads out in those California prisons to follow suit.  Imagine the Northern  and Southern Mexicans, the Aryans, and the brother’s coming together through dance to overcome their differences.  Okay, I deserve to be slapped for even mentioning that.

But the Filipinos are at it again as they pay tribute to the late great Michael Jackson.  Story here!

Ever since Michael Jackson passed away yesterday there has been non-stop coverage of his life and the circumstances surrounding his death.  What never ceases to amaze me is the media’s fascination speculating about the cause of his death instead of celebrating his life.  It reminds me of the death of my father.  People would offer the perfunctory “I’m sorry” followed by “What did he die of?”  Does it really matter?  He’s dead!  As if a fatal heart attack or getting hit by a bus are any different.

What is equally as troubling is the fact that they are delving into a lot of things that are certainly inappropriate at this time.  Such as his self loathing, i.e., the endless plastic surgeries, the straightening of his hair, and the bleaching of his skin.  They are also bringing up the fact that his children are not biologically his and who is going to get custody.  I didn’t know that but who cares?  He was taking care of them and that’s good enough for me.  I even heard one pundit say that he is worth more in death now than he ever was in life.  Think Elvis and Graceland.  It’s sickening!

And of course, the sexual allegations are mentioned in the same breath as his number one hits.  That was a sad and disgusting part of his life.  You’d like to think that the allegations were false but when you settle for 23 million dollars, that really is just hush money.  The molestation charges a few years later were even more disgusting even though he was acquitted.  Michael Jackson’s life was a paradox, he had it all and still had nothing.  For all of his fortune and fame, he managed to lose himself and that was tragic.

But none of that is the Michael Jackson that I choose to or care to remember. I first saw Michael and The Jackson Five when I was 9 or 10 at Shady Grove in Rockville, MD and I was completely blown away.  Over the years as Michael matured and ventured out on his own he continued to mesmerize me with his talent.  That included not only his singing and dancing ability but his creativity in his music videos.  He singlehandedly forced MTV to start featuring black artists on its network.  We all have our idiosyncrasies and personal demons to battle but everytime I saw Michael Jackson perform, it was through they eyes of a 9 or 10 year old in awe!  Hope to see you moonwalking on the other side…

Happy Father’s Day to my Deceased father Emory E. Hardy Jr. or more fondly known to his family as Gomez. It’s hard to believe that it’s been twenty years.

Love from Charlene, Emory 3rd, Lynne, Karen, John, Eric, Stephen and Marcus.

More love from your 24 grandchildren, 1 great grandson, and 1bunny that is still in the oven. And of course, the entire D.C. crew and all of the friends you left here in Tally.

I’d also like to wish all of my brothers who are now fathers, and my two sister’s husbands a happy Father’s Day.  Your children make me proud to have the privilege and honor to be called Uncle Nick.