Comments on: Viewing America Through Michael Jackson

By: Mirlande Jeanlouis

Mirlande Jeanlouis — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:29:49 +0000

Hi Carolyn,

I haven’t seen the movie yet. I’m almost scared of the finality of it. = (

And you have some lucky 7th graders. = )

Mirlande

By: Carolyn J. Martone

Carolyn J. Martone — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:52:36 +0000

Dear Mirlande,

No school today, so I FINALLY had the chance to read this article, and I couldn’t agree with you more about MJ and I enjoyed the conversation about accused priests and MJ’s accusation and trial. Just like the popular culture wiull NEVER write about priests like Fr. Robero (my former pastor) who lives and works with lepers for weeks on end every year in Africa, or the countless other priests around the world who right now are sacrifricing their lives to serve others – so too did the media leave the best of Michael Jackson ignored until his early death. Why wasn’t it highlighted that he was the sole celebrity to give the MOST money to children’s charities, or the fact that he was found innocent of all the charges in his last trial and that his accusers had attempted to get money by scamming other celebrities like Jay Leno, who testified on MJ’s behalf. No-one mentions that respected spiriutal leaders like Deepak Chopra befriended MJ and maintained his life was indeed complicated, but also misunderstood.

Anyway, I will remember MJ for the happiness he brought me when I was a kid in the 80′s whose very first album was ‘Thriller,’ I loved it so much that I didn’t care that I was made fun of in 1984 for showing up to Catholic girls school every day with one white glove on. Also, I continue to use the sentence “I’m starting WITH the man in the mirror” to teach prepositions to seventh graders :)
Thank you, Mirlande, for writing such a thought-provoking, insightful piece.
CJM
P.S. Did you see the movie yet?

By: Mike Carlon

Mike Carlon — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:05:48 +0000

I really enjoyed this piece. After he died, I wrote the following for my local paper. I hope you enjoy it. link

By: Vito Martinez, OFM Cap

Vito Martinez, OFM Cap — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:21:45 +0000

A wonderful article! I think both Mirlande and Tom touch on some very personal points for me as a Latino religious male.

In my Capuchin community, there are people unfamiliar with the experience of living as a minority in this country. Concepts of racism can be fuzzy because white friars don’t understand the experience of living with the “institutional and systematic” racism that has occured in this country for years. I give credit to Tom for entering into dialouge about the topic.

Second, addressing the “heightened awareness” around children can be hard to deal with. My ultimate fear is that as a future priest, I may become cold and wary of youth – out of fear of what others might say.

You guys are tackling touchy yet very necessary topics for us as future leaders of the faith. Keep it up.

Peace,
-Vito