Almost a month ago the superstar, Whitney Houston, was also found dead in the bathtub of the hotel she was staying in. Again, to many this sudden death was shocking and upsetting. Ms. Houston had made her name with her very powerful and unique voice. A voice that sealed her name in the music history books. Prior to her passing, Amy Winehouse had died. Winehouse was a genius in her own crazy and weird way and her death too was shocking to many.
I have been reading articles upon articles with each passing and among many things said about these, different yet unique individuals, the word "Tragic" has caught my eye. The headlines are constantly filled with emphasis of how 'tragic' these great individuals lives were; and so too their death. People seem to feel that somehow these individuals were responsible for their own deaths: if only they didn't do this or that then they would still be here, is a common vibe one gets from the articles and even the interviews by both those who knew them and those who didn't.
Such a sentiment got me thinking and asking myself: Are these deaths really tragic? And if so how and why? I have come to the conclusion that, to me, there is nothing 'tragic' about the deaths (nor the lives) of these brilliant human beings. What I do see in all their lives is the potential of what a determined, focused and hard working human being can achieve. I look at Mr. Jackson's life in awe and respect. The man who started working at the age of six, breaking records before he was even a teenager and continued to do so up until few weeks before his death, is not a 'tragic' man! When you look at his achievements in the backdrop of his life then you really get to see, how almost impossible his achievement could have been. He had everything thrown at his; an abusive childhood, a shyness and dignity that became a point of ridicule and mockery for some in the media, a rare skin disorder in a world obsessed with appearance, a freaky fire accident just as he was getting comfortable in himself and beginning to mature as a man only to be subjected to years of correcting surgery and pain killers as a result of the three degree burns to his scalp. A man who later was unfairly accused of a heinous crime to which, he was found innocent yet despite this the tormenting of his soul and ridicule continued. I could write a whole book, just by looking at the many trials and tribulations that faced this great man throughout his life.
Michael Jackson - Man in the mirror
I look at the minor challenges many of us face, in comparison to what he had to deal with and I am astonished that despite all of this he still achieved what he achieved. There aren't many whose contributions literally break down boundaries the way that Mr. Jackson's did. Most of us are lucky enough to have challenges that aren't so extreme yet, we fail to accomplish even an ounce of what he did. Who is the tragic one? Certainly not Mr. Jackson. In his life he brought about the importance of universal love, through his creative genius he united nations and through his enormously compassionate and selfless nature he donated his time, effort and money to help those in need. He did all this and more whilst dealing with his own personal challenges but without limiting his ability to dream bigger and do better despite of such challenges. He remained true to himself, his desire as well as dedication to make the world a better place. His efforts and vision continue to mould a better future for generations to come through his legacy and those whose lives he touched.
The same can be said about Ms Houston, her life too wasn't in vain. She touched, and will continue to do so, many peoples lives through her music. She too dared to reach further than expected. She made a lasting contribution to the world. Again what these great individuals have in common is what they did with the time they had on this planet. They made lasting contributions; they made a difference! How can their lives, or deaths be considered tragic? Tragic is those who live lives filled with nothing but hate and discrimination. Tragic is one whose lives adds nothing of value for the greater society and evolution of mankind. "Tragedy" has nothing to do with how long one lives but what one does in that life.
As human beings, our lives will be filled with challenges (big and small) but it is the spirit that emerges from such challenges that truly shapes our place in the bigger evolution of our species. It is that unbreakable drive and vision to keep believing and to keep going, despite or rather in spite of life's ups and down that shape our destinies and define our place in this life. The likes of Michael Jackson show us how in true human tenacity, we truly can accomplish anything with love, dignity and respect. To be able to do so in such a short period of ones life in this earth and to do so in a way that touches people on a global scale; crossing race, gender, religious beliefs and so on: is anything but 'tragic'. We should be asking ourselves, if such contributions are tragic what does that say about our collective understanding of the human spirit? Is it tragic to thrive to change the world for the better? If so then we are the living tragedies not these individuals.
Whitney Houston - My love is your love
Death comes to us all, no one can escape it. Death in itself cannot be tragic, it's a natural state just like birth. It is what we do between 'birth' and 'death' that counts and not the fact that we died one day! Honour the human spirit and applaud those who dared to be counted and stepped up despite all the dramas and mishaps in their personal lives instead of playing it safe in your own lives, afraid to get it wrong, to fail etc., yet demeaning those who dared just so that you can excuse your zombie state existence. These people truly lived, and for that I applaud and thank them. May they rest in peace!
Amy Winehouse - Valerie
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