I "get" Michael Jackson

In January of last year I went to Cancun and on my way back at the airport I was asked to step aside and have my belongings checked and shoes taken off and jackets removed. This was after we had already passed the 2 security check points at the airport. My husband, who is Caucasian, was not asked to step aside by this Mexican man of my coloring. I didn't think much of it at that time, but as my belongings were being looked through by this woman I turned around and looked at all the Caucasian tourists walking over to the aircraft parked right outside, but here I was with my brown skin and was being targeted by another group of brown people.

I felt humiliated like I had never felt before. That day as I sat in my seat in the plane finally, I thought to myself, "I get Michael Jackson". Who would want to be brown or black and be treated badly? No wonder he wanted to change his skin color. I still don't know whether it is makeup or something else. But I understand. I am saddened by his death. I grew up listening to him in Delhi. Many memories of him.... or of me dancing to his songs. I am surprised that I am sad.

The media is talking about his bizarre behavior, the obsession with thin nose and white skin and slim body. It is as thought we are all blind and cannot see the times he was growing up in. I WANT all the things that he was able to have done on him. I have always had a complex about my nose. it is NOT thin, and thin noses are preferable. In my culture and many around the world fair skin is desirable. And thin bodies are idolized in most of the world. And we are still SURPRISED?!! at Michael Jackson? Come on!!! What is bizarre about what he did? I don't think it is bizarre at all. Like I said "I GET MICHAEL JACKSON". I wish I could have said it to him in person. I mean I know that would have never happened. But that day as I sat in my plane I wanted to give him a hug and say-"hey...I get you. I get that you were trying to save yourself from all the hurt. It is just sad that you ended up hurting yourself instead. It is tough to change the world."

I hope that his death is a wake-up call to us. That we change our ways. Embrace each other so no one becomes self-destructive. The society caused him a lot of pain whether we want to accept that or not. May his soul finally rest in peace.!