MICHAEL JACKSON MEMORABILIA: Celebration or Insult ?

     Since our beloved Michael’s Passing (and because of the relationship that our family had with Michael and his family), I have been showered with MANY various comments about him and “things and circumstances” surrounding him.  One of the subjects that always comes up (and because I have so much of it) is MICHAEL JACKSON MEMORABILIA.  I have heard arguments on both sides of the fence on this one.  After taking into account their emotional comments (and MOST from True MJ Fans themselves), I found that whether they are True MJ Fans or not, the result of what they felt was kind of shocking.  The divisions within these groups, as some of them even went to the trenches “with or for” Michael, the outcome (MJ Fan or not) was always the same.  I will first let you know what they are saying (and sometimes with INCREDIBLE EMOTION), then, I WILL SHARE WITH YOU MY OWN OPINION.
     In listening to Many of the MJ Faithful, they are divided in about a 69% to 31% ratio FAVORING the exchange of Michael’s Memorabilia . . . BUT CLEARLY DIVIDED (I know, just keep reading and you will come to understand the percentage thing).  Each side passionate about their stance (with an intensity almost like “Election 2000”, if you remember, between The Democrats and Republicans), they will offer you a “gentle but clear” answer . . . UNTIL YOU TAP INTO THEIR SECOND LAYER !!!  This, of course, being “why do you feel that way?”.  Some of them, again, answered with a gentle, clear and simple explanation (again, on either side of the fence).  The other half would seem “already cocked and ITCHING TO FIRE”!!! . . . of course, politely restraining themselves HOPING that I will ask them why, thus, giving them the go ahead TO FIRE.  I was once in the room with BOTH of the two EXTREMES when one of these “debates” (which seemed more like a “Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed III”)!
Although no “blows” were exchanged, man, it got REAL HOT REAL FAST !!! 
     Here is “the JIST” of what I heard most coming from BOTH SIDES just about every time I asked for their opinions:

THE “FOR” TEAM -
The exchange, sale or simple display of Michael’s Memorabilia IS AND SHOULD BE VIEWED AT AS A CELEBRATION OF … AND A CONTINUATION OF …  MICHAEL’S LEGACY!   TO SIMPLY DROP HIS NAME, MEMORY (or MEMORABILIA) AND / OR HIS LEGACY WOULD BE AN INCREDIBLY INSULTING GESTURE!!!  HOW COULD WE DO THAT TO HIM?!!

THE “AGAINST” TEAM -
The exchange, sale or simple display of Michael’s Memorabilia IS NOTHING BUT AN EXPLOITATION OF MICHAEL AND HIS MEMORY … A WAY FOR THE DISRESPECTFUL TO MAKE MONEY, THAT’S IT!   HOW CAN PEOPLE DO THAT TO SUCH A TREASURED ICON?!!!

     That’s pretty much the Main Points of what I experienced (again, sometimes heated … sometimes not, and with out the “Superlatives”).  However, if you look at both of the arguments carefully, YOU WILL NOTICE SOMETHING THAT THEY BOTH AGREE ON !!!  Do you see it?  Look at the last part of each argument.  THEY BOTH SEEM TO LOVE MICHAEL SO MUCH that they are both willing to almost “go to blows” for him and his Memory and/or Legacy!!!

Now, I will give you My Opinion:
     My Opinion is simply this.  I am part of the FOR Team (thus bringing your percentage ratio to 70% to 30% FOR as 100 people were asked) and EVEN HAVE MANY MICHAEL JACKSON ITEMS ON EBAY AND OTHER PLACES (as of this writing) and am not ashamed at all to say so.  Now, I will tell you why I am on the FOR Team.  This may sound kind of strange or even stupid BUT, MY STORY … MY RULES !!!  (I hope that didn’t sound too strong)  Anyhow, Do you remember the old Christmas Animation Special that was made back in the 1960’s, “Santa Claus is Coming To Town” and STILL AIRS EVERY CHRISTMAS?  In that story, there is a character called “BurgerMeister” who wants to exterminate the memory of Christmas and ALL THE TOYS that the children play with so that they will have only chores to do.  I used to hide some toys “in a special place” just in case that happened (I can’t believe I’m actually going to publish that).  That feeling was terrible to me as a child, to imagine a world without Christmas or all the things that “make it so special”!
      THE POINT IS, “All The Toys” in this scenario represent the Memorabilia part of this Hubpages story to me.  So, In My Opinion, REGARDLESS of what or who benefits from “the exchange, sale or display” of Michael’s Memorabilia, THERE IS AN EXCHANGE, SALE AND DISPLAY OF MICHAEL’S MEMORABILIA !!!   THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE “MORE OFTEN” WHEN HE WAS ALIVE !!!  This has always been my viewpoint as I was one of the MJ Faithful that even up to the day before his passing was listening to his CD’s daily, sharing them with my daughter and Celebrating his Wonderful Gifts upon the World (Trust me, there are not too many 10 year-old little girls who’s favorite songs prior to 6/25/2009 was “Scream” and “Tabloid Junkie” . . . NOT MANY AT ALL)! 
     MICHAEL LOVED HIS FANS, HIS WORK (or his ART) of CREATING THINGS, HAVING FUN and JUST BEING HAPPY! . . . And that is exactly what is happening with his Memorabilia.  His FANS are CREATING HAPPINESS for other FANS by the exchange, sale or display of his Memorabilia, or HIS WORK of CREATION.  And by the way . . . It’s a Lot of FUN !!! 
     However, of all the interesting points made here, THERE IS ONE POINT I JUST WANT TO MAKE CLEAR ABOUT THIS STORY FOR MICHAEL’S SAKE . . . . . ALL OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THESE SOMETIMES “HEATED” DEBATES ABOUT MICHAEL’S MEMORABILIA GET SO EMOTIONAL ABOUT IT BECAUSE OF ONE THING, THEY ALL LOVE MICHAEL, HIS FAMILY AND HIS LIFE’S WORK.  I JUST WISHED MORE PEOPLE FELT THIS WAY BEFORE HIS PASSING . . . THAT’S THE ONLY THING THAT ACTUALLY GETS ME PERSONALLY EMOTIONAL.  THEREFORE, I WILL SAY THIS ONE LAST THING AND I WILL SAY IT ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS STORY AS I LOOK UP AND SAY IT TO MICHAEL HIMSELF . . . . .  
   WE ALL LOVE YOU MICHAEL, SO VERY, VERY MUCH !  YOU GAVE US YOUR ENTIRE LIFE SO THAT WE COULD ENJOY SOMETHING SO SPECIAL WHICH WE COULD HAVE NEVER CREATED OURSELVES.  GOD CREATES THE EARTH AND WE ENJOY AND THANK HIM FOR IT.  MANY PEOPLE, THEN IN GOD’S IMAGE, CREATE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE ENJOY EVERYDAY (and sometimes take for granted) AND NEVER THINK HOW THANKFUL TO THAT PERSON WE SHOULD BE.  IT’S NOT UNTIL GOD CALLS UPON HIS CHILD TO COME HOME THAT WE KNOW WHEN THAT PERSON’S WORK IS COMPLETE.  IT TAKES A CERTAIN KIND OF PERSON THOUGH TO ENDURE WHAT YOU DID AND STILL CREATE SO MANY, MANY WONDERFUL MUSICAL AND VISUAL COMPOSITIONS THAT WERE SIMPLY NOT OF THIS EARTH.  “SOMEONE PUT YOUR HAND OUT” SOUNDS JUST LIKE YOU BROUGHT IT WITH YOU FROM HEAVEN BECAUSE THAT IS EXACTLY WHERE IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE WHEN YOU’RE ANGELIC VOICE TRANSLATES IT SO THAT WE HERE ON EARTH MAY UNDERSTAND IT.  I REMEMBER WHAT YOU TOLD ME ONE TIME, “THE SONGS ARE ALREADY WRITTEN, GOD JUST GIVES THEM TO ME AND I JUST FEEL I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO GET THEM OUT THERE SO EVERYONE CAN ENJOY THEM”.  THEREFORE, EVEN THOUGH WE MISS YOU SO VERY MUCH, YOU ARE HOME NOW.  GET SOME REST . . . YOU HAVE WORKED SO VERY HARD AND DESERVE THE PEACE THAT NOW ONLY GOD CAN GIVE YOU.  LET US TAKE IT FROM HERE.  IF I HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH MY LITTLE ONE-BILLIONTH OF A PART IN IT, I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THROUGH WHATEVER MEANS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE YOUR LIFE, YOUR CREATIONS . . . AND YOUR FUTURE! 

                        WE LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH.

Looking Down upon us,
Michael’s Response would be as it always is . . . . . 
                                                                                              “I Love You More”.