In Defiance

"It seemed to me that his internal essence was at war with the norms of the world. It's as if he's trying to defy gravity."

-Michael Levine, former Michael Jackson publicist

Dance moves like the sensational, gravity-defying lean from Smooth Criminal are part of what made Michael Jackson so famous. Michael was an adorable, mega-talented kid that grew up into a strange, mega-talented adult. Oh yes, he was strange. Weird. Yes, he is the only person on the planet whose face and skin literally changed before our eyes. Yes, he had a chimp named Bubbles. Yes, he loved kids to a fault the size of the San Andreas. Yes, he said it was a beautiful thing to share his bed with them. Yes, he climbed trees in his signature black loafers and blinding white socks. Yes, he built an amusement park in his own backyard. And yes, the fantasy character he most identitified with was Peter Pan. The list goes on.

Michael Jackson was an innovator, an experimentalist, and a musical genius. An innovator is nothing if not daring, unique, unconventional. Michael thought he could; therefore, he did. Soft-spoken, lipstick-wearing Michael Jackson was a brave man. Truly. How brave is it to insist on living life on your own terms, particularly in the face of constant criticism and opposition? How many of us would have the courage to do the same? How many of us would lose faith in ourselves, in our ability, in our vision along the way? How many of us already have? Right or wrong, Michael Jackson created his own life. He made decisions that, although not always easy to understand, created the experiences he chose to have, the superstar persona the world has come to love/hate, and the legacy that endures forever. Over the past nearly five decades, Michael was indisputably responsible for more smiles than frowns, more laughter than tears, more joy than pain. Michael Jackson exemplified life fully lived, exhibiting the power and the grace - as well as the folly - of the human spirit.

From birth to death, society demands that we conform to its rules and dictates. Yet, no person who was ever truly great, no man or woman who has ever left an indelible mark on this world can be labeled a conformist. Funny how no one points that out.

So, what is the lesson in this? Live - in defiance, if necessary. And do more good than harm.


Peace & Blessings,

Isis

Meet Alaiyo

I have never done this before. Blogging, I mean. I am a procrastinator by nature, but finally...it is done! Now, the first test of my creative and/or literary ability was to come up with a name for my blog. Of course, I went through lots of ideas that were already taken - but then it hit me. Alaiyo! Pronounced ah-lye-oh. Maybe you don't know this word. Maybe it looks familiar, but you can't place it. Or maybe you know exactly what I'm talking about. I recently enjoyed re-reading the classic play, "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry. In one scene, Joseph Asagai (Beneatha Younger's African suitor) calls her the nickname "Alaiyo," offhand, as he is leaving. When Beneatha questions him ("...for all I know, you could be calling me Little Idiot or something..."), Joseph defines it as a Yoruba word which, roughly translated, means "one for whom bread - food - is not enough." How profound. Not just the meaning, but that one person could see, understand and acknowledge that truth in another. Like Beneatha, mere "bread" or the basics of life have never been enough for me. In my insistent quest to know, there is always the need for something more - to have more, do more, be more. I have always been a thinker. Even when I try to go on strike. This is because at the core of every thinker lies a quiet discontent. OK, maybe not always so quiet. In any case, with Bread Is Not Enough! I hope to feed others' appetites for knowledge even as I feed my own.

If all the world's a stage...well, this is my corner.

Peace & Blessings,

Isis