Michael Jackson Memorial

The Michael Jackson memorial is in underway, the car containing Jackson’s casket having just arrived at the Staples Center, a part of the motorcade that left Forest Lawn Cemetery moments ago that made its way from a family farewell. The atmosphere outside the Center is best deemed carnival like, Jackson merchandise being sold fast and furious, inside the mood is closer to an impromptu awards ceremony, oddly somber, but still celebratory. Pundits keep reminding us of that Jackson was by default a civil rights leader, who challenged popular perceptions about race and broke barriers, an odd assertion given Jackson’s obvious rejection of his heritage later in life. Truth, though, is a casualty, in death like it was it was in Jackson’s life, the history a revision in progress. This moment, we’re reminded, is pop culture, for good or bad, and that statement is the only true thing I have heard all morning.