Michael Jackson

by Kristen
(South Carolina)

Michael Jackson was the King of Pop, but he was far more than just a great pop singer. He devoted much of his life to helping children and causes that mattered to him. If I had one person to choose, it would be Michael Jackson. His music and lyrics inspired not only 80's teens around the globe, but also brought about an entire new era in music. He was the first black person to ever have a music video shown on television. He was the first black person to ever have a number #1 pop song, and he revolutionized music and the music industry.

Jackson's song writing would be reason alone to want an autograph, but his ability to understand and relate to children around the world made him all that much more popular and loved. He wasn't just a songwriter or musician, he believed in the words he wrote and tried to live up to his own call for others. He was a great philanthropist, giving out millions in charity to poor, sick, and disabled children. In fact, Jackson was and still is the most giving celebrity of all time. He worked with the USO and would frequently and quietly visit our wounded war veterans around the world.

He pushed for poverty and food relief around the world, but he didn't just write a song about it. Jackson would actually visit with impoverished children and donate millions of his own money. He aided free clinics and pushed for sanitary conditions for patients.

Jackson was a complicated man, as we all are. He wasn't perfect, but he was perfectly suited for his great gift. His own childhood and struggles with feeling alienated, abused, and abandoned left him with the voice and the courage to stand up for others who had no voice.