June 25, 2009

June 25, 2009. 

A sad day in the history of music, pop culture, and our society. On this day, the world mourns many things: the death of Michael Jackson, a pop legend, the death of Farrah Fawcett, an icon, a corrupt democracy in Iran, the deaths caused by war in the Middle East. Many say the deaths of celebrities overshadow the real issues of war and death that happens every day. True, people die every day:mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, husbands, wives, and dear friends. And each passing warrants mourning and grieving. But what made today so shocking for our nation, and millions around the world, was the passing of a legendary era. A beautiful woman who changed the face of Hollywood icons and the King of Pop represented a generation that existed from the 70's and 80's. With their tragic passing, we are forced to look at the huge milestones of the past: Charlie's Angels, the Jackson Five, Thriller, the celebrity quirks of the 90's and early 2000's.  A time when an iconic pinup poster had class and taste-a blonde bombshell in a simple one-piece bathing suit with a dazzling smile-before Internet pornography left nothing to the imagination. A time when not just anybody could become a pop star, before pop music was oversexed and overhyped, dripping with sexual connotations and double-entendres. 

Generation X loses two of its great icons today. At the same time, a war continues in Iraq, Iran calls for a just government, and America sinks deeper into financial recession. True, the deaths of these celebrities overshadow important issues of the day, but the world's problems will not be solved in a day. These problems will continue for years to come. In fact, one might argue that the passing of these legendary celebrities only highlights the problems our world is facing. Time stops for no one: not pop icons, not the legendary King of Pop, nor the government of Iran, or you, or me. As Generation X mourns the loss of two famed symbols of their time, it is clear, now more than ever, that the world is changing Everyone will remember today where they were when the heard the news of this great loss. It is a reminder that life is precious, a blessing to be savored and never taken for granted. No one is immune to death, whether it is ordinary people or celebrities. We leave the world with nothing but our legacy, great or small, we must leave something behind. Some leave iconic posters, some sell millions of records, others leave memories that are no less powerful or important, such as a wife leaving a note in her husband's lunch, a weekly phone call from a friend, an inside joke, a warm embrace. The world seems like a sad place today, but it is a day where new leaders and legends will be created as we mourn the loss of Michael Jackson and countless others.