8.25.10

As I haven’t written here in a long time, an obvious topic to update you all on my life is: Michael Jackson.

We’re all aware that MJ has been dead for more than a year now, but it’s surprising how much a part of my life he is here. Let me tell you the ways the musical genius of Michael Jackson has helped me bridge cultural divides multiple times here.

In almost all my conversations with children 10 and under here in Ecuador, we arrive at Michael Jackson as a topic of discussion. They usually start this discussion with the question, “do you know Micheal Jackson?” I reply, “sure, of course I know his music, his videos but no, we weren’t friends. Yes, he did live in the United States, but very far away from me, on the other side of the country.” Of course they’re disappointed to hear this but we can continue discussing which videos are best, who’s friend can dance just like Michael Jackson or what song titles mean in Spanish.

I’ve recently become good friends with the 3 neighbor boys a few doors down from me. They’re 10, 7 and 5 years old and I let them come over to color and make crafts with me. The other day, a few drawings in, our conversation turned to Michael Jackson and our coloring session turned into a Michael Jackson video viewing session (I have a few DVDs of MJ’s videos, best $2.50 ever spent…). I like that Ecuadorians appreciate the Michael talent. And never in my discussions with kids do the weird things about MJ come up. More like: “my friend won a dancing competition, he can dance just like Michael!” or “how about that video where he turns into a puma, what’s that one?” Or ok, maybe a little weirdness: “when do you think MJ was better looking- when he was white or black?”

All of these discussions led me to the conclusion that Micheal Jackson is probably the most famous musician worldwide. Few kids here know about the Beatles or Elvis but Micheal’s legacy lives on and apart from his revolutionary dancing, and music we all continue to enjoy, thanks MJ, for helping me relate to Ecuadorians better and for bridging that cultural divide that stands in my way everyday here.

ps photos from the trip to Mindo with my sister.