Fighting for the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait

Some people say that out of every tragedy comes something good. Indeed, I've been blessed to encounter some of the most unconditional love I've ever experienced through friendships I've made in this community.

However, in the last few months I've had people with whom I was friendly become distant. Some who used to engage with me through social networks stopped doing so as much, others whom I've tried to befriend have flat out ignored me; comments on our articles have dropped, and some people seem to not support the MJTP to the extent they used to.

I didn't give it too much thought until I discovered that there are people in the community who feel the MJTP betrayed Michael, because one of our team members attended (by invitation) the album release party for Michael; some even going as far as writing about it on their blogs. Now it all makes so much sense, I thought to myself as the tears began to flow. That hurt me. 

Our intent at the MJTP is to be a tribute of love and carry on Michael's legacy, which for some may or may not include buying his music. There is no doubt that he will go down in history as one of the world's greatest entertainers. Through his songs, performances, concerts and short films, future generations will be able to experience his incredible talent. His influence will be felt for decades to come as artists now strive to emulate him, but there was something else just as amazing about Michael that future generations should be aware of, and that was his extraordinary capacity to love.

They should know how much he cared for all of humanity, how sensitive he was to the pain of sick and disadvantaged children, how he used his global fame as a force for humanitarian causes around the world.



They should know about the special relationship he had with his fans, why we are so loyal and how we shared an unconditional love. They should know about his connection to a Supreme Being, and how it was the foundation for his astounding creativity.

They should know about the strength he exhibited in the face of challenges, the dignity he maintained through attempts to discredit his character, and the extraordinary father he was to his children.

There are people with strong opinions on both sides when it comes to Michael's music. I have always encouraged fans to remain true to whatever it is they believe. When it comes to his children, I know they will be very successful in life no matter what happens with the music, because they were blessed enough to be raised on the love of Michael Jackson. It doesn't get any better than that. Having that as a foundation on which to build their lives is a precious gift he gave them. It's the most important part of his legacy.

To those who judge others without having the facts, please try to remember that this is what hurt Michael the most while he was living; it's what continues to hurt him now that he's gone, and what will ultimately tear this community apart if we turn on each other.



It's disheartening that some people have become so judgmental that they are making it hard for anyone to put positive work out there on Michael. Take for instance the recent announcement from Jermaine Jackson about the memoir he is writing called, You Are Not Alone. He said it was a book written out of love, and an attempt to show the world who Michael really was.

When he passed away, I was horrified to discover how some people had made it their lot in life to take Michael down. They tried everything they could to get the public to hate him, and judge him, and stigmatize him, so if Jermaine can educate the masses about the love he really embodied I am all for it.

I feel a responsibility to garner as much love for Michael as I possibly can. I have a passion to educate the world about how worthy of love he really is, and I am compelled to do whatever it takes to evoke those feelings from them, so I truly understand why he wants to do this.



Every person on this team does this work as a volunteer; most of whom also have full time jobs. We do it because we love him. To have someone suggest otherwise is unfair and unjust. It upset me so badly that I considered just walking away from it all, because to put it bluntly, it sucks to be loved conditionally. I decided to sleep on it though, and I'm so glad I did.

The next morning I awoke with a smile as I quickly recalled a dream I'd had. I was in a room, standing in a row behind a barrier with a few other fans waiting for Michael to come and greet us. The room was square and dimly lit, with walls that were cream colored and bare; the air was filled with excitement and anticipation. As he walked in, the energy quickly changed to love and the room lit up with a beautiful peach glow.

He gracefully walked over to us with his entourage behind him, and started talking to the fans next to me. He reached out and grabbed my hand without making eye contact or saying anything to me, holding it the entire time he spoke with them. I just stood there mesmerized feeling like my heart was going to beat out of my chest, taking note of how soft his hand was. When he was finished, he squeezed it lightly as if to say "don't give up," then he let it drop to my side.

As he told the crowd goodbye, he declared his love for us by putting his hands in that famous prayer pose, then blew a kiss with his fingertips. We couldn't take our eyes off him as he made his way toward the door. Then, right before he walked out, he turned around and winked at me...That's the only dream I've ever had about Michael, but it was exactly what I needed to renew my spirit.



In his autobiography Moonwalk, he said, "When I feel that something is not right, I have to speak up. I know most people don't think of me as tough or strong-willed, but that's just because they don't know me." I can relate to that because even though my focus in on love, that doesn't mean I won't speak up when I feel something isn't right.

To those who questioned our loyalty and dedication to Michael, in the words of Christina Aguilera's hit song "Fighter."

"I wanna say thank you.'Cause it makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
It makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter."

You've helped me develop a little of that rhinoceros skin Michael used to speak about, which makes me that much stronger. You've renewed my passion and sense of purpose which makes me work a little bit harder, and by heeding Michael's advice, I've become that much wiser: "No matter who's around you that's being negative or thrusting negative energy at you, totally block it off."

Most of all you've helped me remember why I started doing this work in the first place: to love Michael Jackson and help others do the same.

The Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait is, and always will be, a tribute of love by the fans for the fans, to honor and appreciate the man, the legend and the humanitarian. To those who continue to support us in what we're trying to do for him, we thank you. It means more than you could possibly know.

Written by Linda Higgins

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This article appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive, and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.

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Light and Dark: The Laws of Attraction

There is for some, a propensity toward the darkest of human emotions. Scientists, psychologists, metaphysicians, clergy and philosophers might argue the source of these emotions, but wherever one may feel this darkness originates from, there can be no denying that exist it does.

It is also argued that the “light” attracts the “dark.” After following Michael Jackson’s career and reading accounts on his personal life for nearly 42 years, I’m inclined to agree. Michael shone with the light of love, goodness, peace, healing and humanitarianism, yet, he was constantly persecuted by the media and public alike for most of his life. Whatever positive good he did or said it was nearly always twisted into something negative or even sinister.

Yes, I believe “light” attracts the darkness of the human heart, but why? Why is it that some people take so much pleasure in tearing another person’s life from limb to limb; in humiliating, degrading, bullying and negating a soul’s essence? Why do some people eat their young? Greed, hate, vengeance, jealousy, racism, discrimination, rage, perversion, all could be some of the reasons, but to find source, the reason behind what motivates and elicits such extremes is a question I can’t answer. I just know, see and feel the ugliness.

And it’s there, still surrounding Michael’s name, but now it is also encompassing us, the fans. Those who knew him and are speaking now, openly and honestly about how he touched their lives, those who write about and pay tribute to him; all of us who are working toward and trying to continue the legacy he left behind, fans, peers and friends, can feel it.

I have wandered into some places on the internet; You Tube, forums, discussion threads, facebook posts and tweets that reek of this darkness. Hate literally screams from the images and words and none of us it appears, have escaped its ill-intentions. Charles Thomson, Deborah Ffrench and Rev. Barbara Kaufmann to name but a small few, have been attacked and ridiculed. Many, many tribute and fan websites have also been demeaned and attacked for simply daring to exist, and for equally daring to promote Michael’s achievements and to fight for his vindication and justice.

I myself have come under fire and most recently, the online magazine I publish monthly. I read in a discussion thread that the magazine was a sickly display of delusional misfits, all mooning over and defending a wacko that should have been locked up years ago, but now fortunately, is dead. (That is the edited version)

Do we care that these things are being said? Of course we do. We care because whatever is being said about us is also directly continuing the attack on a man we are trying so hard to defend. And personally? I take offense to being called ugly names by a bunch of bullies who have never graduated from their Middle School playgrounds. I am not a misfit or delusional, and I am not mooning over anyone. Rather, I am a stable, intelligent, grown woman who believes that Michael was a gift to this world, that he was misjudged and accused wrongly, and that he deserves to be recognized not only for his artistry, but also for all his acts of kindness and humanitarianism.

So, do we give up and yield to the onslaught of hate thrown our way? Of course not! If we do that then in essence we are giving up on Michael. Who else will fight so hard for him now that he has gone? Who else will continue his work and legacy? We are part of Michael, and he us. We have no choice.

It was said to me not long ago that often bad publicity can be good publicity. I sat and thought about this for awhile and realized the truth in this statement. The haters in a sense are giving us the publicity we need for people to sit up and take notice. Michael Jackson fans have always been labeled as fanactical, crazy, mean, blind and yes, delusional, but look what has happened! We came together and worked toward uncovering Michael’s name from the Gardner Street Elementary School auditorium. Look what happened when we came together in an all out effort to stop Discovery from airing their documentary on the re-enactment of Michael Jackson’s autopsy. We united as an intelligent and rational group. Dare I say it? We organized! And by doing so, caused alarm to some and respect from others. We are now being watched; we have been noticed in a positive light, one in which we have never been seen in before.

And those watchers and fence-sitters who perhaps might now have some doubts as to whether Michael was treated fairly, or doubts as to whether his accusers were the innocent victims, might now be experiencing some feelings of curiosity; some feelings of guilt. They might also actively seek some answers of their own or inadvertently stumble across one of those dark places that make your skin crawl with goosebumps. And, while some might slip back easily into the twisted mindset from which they came, others, or maybe just one at that time, might decide to look further into the cause of the hate, and visit our websites, forums and blogs. Once there, they may just read our articles, blogs and poems; watch our videos and witness the work we are doing and the goals we are trying to achieve. They may feel the immense love flowing from our words, all for a man they have accused and hated. They may ask why, and begin their own journey toward discovering the real Michael Jackson. The next it might be two more people, the day after three; small numbers you may say, but numbers nonetheless and when added to what we have, our audience grows larger and stronger.

So I say to the darkness, you who write so diligently against us and Michael, thank you. Thank you for the publicity. Thank you for giving us a wider audience and more reason to fight. Thank you for drawing attention to your hate because through it you are drawing attention to the “light.” And we who live in the light- aren’t going anywhere.

© Valmai Owens, 2010. All Rights Reserved.
No reproduction without permission from author.