“In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe.”  - Michael Jackson

by Shirley Hussar

June 25, 2009 will be a day people will say to you “WHERE WERE YOU WHEN Michael Jackson died? I was in Pasadena with my family walking and enjoying the day.

I passed and old friend walking who told me. It was 4:12pm on a Thursday. Michael Jackson and The Jackson Family brought hope and life to the world but particlay the African-American Community. Micheal and his entire family showed all of us that with hard work and fearless persistence in America we could accomplish anything large or small should we put our mind. Michael Jackson was a gift to humanity the world over and this week we lost that gift. But what we will never loose is Micheals ability to inspire a world and for even a breif moment make the world stop and dance.

GOD BLESS THE JACKSON’ FAMILY FOR THE GIFT!!

Shirley Hussar  is an urban freelance writer and contributor to this blog she also a proud Hip-Hop Republican living in Los Angeles, California

by Star

I woke up this morning, hoping it was all a bad dream. I was scared to turn on the news because I didn’t want to see a tribute that reminded me, Michael Jackson is dead at he age of 50. Damn!

First, send a prayer out to Michael Jackson’s family, friends, and fans. Now, for my personal tribute.

My favorite Michael Jackson song is, “Man in the Mirror”. “If you want to make the world a better place, take a lookat yourself and make that change.”

Don’t get me wrong, I know all the moves to “Thriller”, I remember singing “Bad” on a record player, “Billie Jean” got me in trouble with my mother, and “Smooth Criminal” was my ‘ish’, but Man in the Mirror has been the one song that always stuck with me. When I was doing stuff I had no business, when I was struggling with my illness, and when I eventually decided it was time to make my voice heard, Michael Jackson was never that far away.

Michael Jackson was a true inspiration, no matter the controversy that surrounded him. He made the world sing together, smile together, and hope together and all he asked in return, that we look in the Mirror and realize we all have the power to make change. In tribute to Michael Jackson, I would like to thank the people that have helped me realize this about myself. We never know how long we are going to be here, so always show appreciation for the people that influence and inspire.

Star or aka Sonskystar is a 27 year old real champion for change and contributor to HipHopRepublican.com. She holds a degree in communications. She is a lover of Hip Hop and unlike most Republicans thinks it can be an artistic vehicle to change. Star blogs at whydidyousaythatgirl.com where she goes by the pen name Sonskystar.

 Shay from the blog Booker Rising gives the details of MJ’s life and and bloggers responces.

I saw this online awhile ago - TMZ.com appears to have gotten the scoop - but I wanted to see a more credible news source report it before posting it. Michael Jackson has died at age 50 of cardiac arrest this afternoon after being rushed to UCLA Medical Center. Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Steve Ruda told the Los Angeles Times that Mr. Jackson was not breathing when paramedics arrived at his home, and they were unable to resuscitate him.

The news comes as the King Of Pop was attempting a comeback after years of tabloid headlines, most notably his trial and acquittal on child molestation charges. Mr. Jackson had been due to start a series of comeback concerts in London on July 13 running until March 2010. The singer, whose hits included “Thriller” and “Billie Jean,” had been rehearsing in the Los Angeles area for the past two months. The shows for the 50 London concerts sold out within minutes of going on sale in March. There were concerns about Mr. Jackson’s health in recent years but the promoters of the London shows, AEG Live, said in March that he had passed a 4-1/2 hour physical examination with independent doctors.

His lifetime record sales tally is believed to be around 750 million, which, added to the 13 Grammy Awards he received, makes him one of the most successful entertainers of all time.

Mr. Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Ind., the seventh of nine children. Five Jackson boys - Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael - first performed together at a talent show when Mr. Jackson was 6. They won and went on to become a best-selling band, The Jackson Five, and then The Jackson 5. Mr. Jackson made his first solo album in 1972, and released “Thriller” in 1982, which became a smash hit that yielded seven top-10 singles. The album sold 21 million copies in the United States and at least 27 million worldwide.

In 1994, Mr. Jackson married Elvis Presley’s only child, Lisa Marie, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1996. He married Debbie Rowe the same year and had two children, before splitting in 1999. The couple never lived together.

Mr. Jackson is survived by three children: Prince Michael I, Paris Michael and Prince Michael II, known for when his father held him over a hotel balcony railing, to widespread criticism.

Booker Rising response: Dang. This week - and particularly today - ain’t been good to celebrities. Ed McMahon died on Tuesday. Then today both Farrah Fawcett and Mr. Jackson die. I was a huge Michael Jackson fan as a kid. What a musical legend. R.I.P., Mr. Jackson.

Bookeristas respond: Coby Dillard, a black conservative Republican in Norfolk, Virginia, writes on Twitter: “RIP, Smooth Criminal….”

James T. Harris, a black conservative Republican, writes on Twitter: “Two [i]cons die on the same day?!? The 70’s & 80’s were defined by these two souls. R.I.P.”

Katrina Simm, a black conservative Republican in New Jersey, writes on Twitter: “My heart is broken. I grew up on that mans music”.

Marie Stroughter, a black conservative, writes on Twitter: “Hoping that the family can pull together & not get crazy about the money as so many families do…*sigh*”

 HHR Blogs  Favorite MJ Video: Michael Jackson - Billie Jean ( motown version ) WE MISS YOU MICHAEL!!