When I first heard that a fan of Michael Jackson has put together a proposal for him to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, my reaction was malevolent. Although I love Michael and his music, consider Thriller the best album ever, I also thought that awarding him with the Nobel Prize would have been somewhat inequitable to those who had received the prize before him. Just consider Nelson Mandela. But then I thought there was indeed an overlapping contribution the two icons have stood up for - human unity. Michael's contribution to this world is immense. Look at the two videos attached below with regular folks in Stockholm and Montreal giving tribute to Michael Jackson. There is no one, not one person who could pride himself on being able to unite blacks and whites, young and old (er), women and men, those more and less fortunate on the same scale as he was able to achieve. He was truly the ultimate brigde-maker. Isn't the Nobel Peace Prize about that?
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Does Michael Jackson deserve the Nobel Peace Prize?
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Jackson's political interests were generally a mystery to the public, vague and veiled at best. Examining his interviews and musical themes, one is left with the distinct impression that this is a damaged and emotionally stunted individual. In spite of his charity work it is his fame and music that shines so brightly. His contributions are easily matched by others and exceeded by many. In the end it is his fame that begat the entire process and his own PR people may have had a hand in the movement. Dead now these last couple of years it's clear that even Jackson's music will stand more as a aural symbol of eclipsed values and sensibilities rather than of musical triumph. History will always regard him with suspicion, even while respecting his talents. Cheers.
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