In the summer of 2010, a friend once told me that I was obsessed with Michael Jackson. It didn’t offend me then or now; however, it did highlight how fascinated I was with Jackson around that time and even now.
Since his death in June of 2009, I’ve become an unofficial historian of this fascinating man on top of countless books, articles, and journals I’ve read about him. He as a person can be a case study on politics, race, psychology, child prodigies, mental health, self-esteem, celebrity, etc. I’ve written articles and academic journals on him myself, and I plan on doing more.
Because I realized over time I connected with Jackson in many ways. We all do.
Jackson dealt with so many issues that the common man and woman go through. Insecurity, feelings of doubt, self-esteem issues. Lastly, he battled loneliness during his time on earth.
Jackson gravitated toward writing and recording emotionally charged songs such as Childhood and songs written by others like Man in the Mirror and Someone in the Dark.
Someone in the Dark is about Jackson relating to the character E.T. as Jackson sings about someone being a friend of his that helps take him out of his misery. Someone unexpected, as if they were in the dark.
E.T. felt this way , too, in the movie E.T. The Extra-Terrestial. Jackson releated to the character, which drew him in to do this song and soundtrack (soundtrack got shelved in 1982 due to conflicting with Jackson’s Thriller release.)
I like to think of this song as the prime example of how celebrities want friendship, companionship, and relationships no matter their status. And they want to be seen, not spotted.
We want that, too. We want to be seen by someone, loved by a companion, and appreciated by friends.
From my research, Jackson never had that someone in the dark. His fans mobbed him, and the world wanted a piece of him. But Jackson was often a lonely man, so he created the Peter Pan world for him in which he didn’t have to grow up.
But while we won’t have the luxury of ever being as big as Michael Jackson, we can offer our hand in compassion to others no matter what we think is going on, just as we would want someone in the dark to reach out to us, too.
Because life is so short, you know? We saw the tragic passing of former Ohio State great Dwayne Haskins at 24 this past weekend. Many journalists and casual fans are walking back the criticism they said about Haskins during his time as a professional athlete. He was so young, and so much he could have lived for will never happen. But what if he never had someone in the dark for him during his time in the NFL? On the outside looking in, it’s hard to remember that, like Jackson, he was only human.
I just wanted to write this post to remind us that we can be someone in the dark for someone just as someone could do for us: a friend, companion, or lifeline. Jackson never got that even though he was the most famous person on the planet, and he still needed human compassion.
If you feel you need someone to reach out to you, that is okay. It is just Human Nature.
by themusecian
April 12, 2022
