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Today, the world will stop rotating on its axis for a few hours, so that we may "pay tribute" to a sad, disturbed, and tragically flawed individual. Michael Jackson's eulogies have been repeated non-stop on TV. Anyone who knew people that knew people that knew Jackson have appeared on the airwaves to tell us about the “real” King of Pop. We have been subjected to watching thousands of individuals who obviously need a job (and a hobby) completely remove all doubt as to their perspective of “what makes one great.”
Meanwhile, in Montgomery, little more than a footnote informs us of the death in Ohio of 90 year-old H.M. Cummings, a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen. Most people are unaware that Cummings has died. Many more are unaware that he ever lived.
This is heartbreaking. Thousands are attending Jackson's funeral. The tributes are worldwide. Millions are saddened that they cannot attend a glitzy memorial service for a man whose estate lawyers will fight over for years, and (until a few days ago) was best known for keeping plastic surgeons employed, and making atrocious choices with regards to bed-mates.
Meanwhile, Cummings will be quietly laid to rest. His net worth is not a public issue.
What a monumental travesty.
Jackson achieved fame because he sang and danced well (and let's be honest...no one has thought of him doing that particularly well in well over a decade, until his death). Cummings...I’m unsure how well he sang or danced. Oh, by the way…he did help save the world back in the 1940's.
Where have our priorities gone? One man, we celebrate because of album sales and a dance. He was a "cultural icon" and "inspiration," because he moon-walked, and we wished we could. The other, we briefly mention as a footnote. He was a pilot, or something like that. Some army guy. Or was it Air Force? Ah, well. If only he danced.
It's time for our country to redefine who is "important." We like to put that word with "famous." Guys who can hit a ball out of the park are "important." People whose album sales make them 'more popular than Jesus' (a quote made famous by another cultural icon we like to mourn) are "important." People who make billions in four-minute audio clips are "important." Friends, sometimes the words “famous” and “important” should be separated.
Meanwhile...men who overcome prejudice to fight for freedom and against tyranny...get a brief obituary. Men who are willing to lay down everything so that their children may be free...they are mentioned. Men who epitomize what it means to be a great American, man, soldier, citizen, African-American...well, NBC won't pre-empt “Days of our Lives” to talk about the days of his life. However, we are bombarded with every detail of a man who, thought talented, was flawed enough to become a caricature of himself. Yet we can't stop dwelling on a life that was honestly more about “what could have been” than “what was."
Memo to America: Get out of the streets, quit dancing, take the glove off, and go inside. Find a computer, and read about H.M. Cummings, and the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. Ask yourself, "is it possible that thousands of people are attending the wrong funeral?" Examine how one man fought for a world that had yet to recognize his equality...and it wasn't the guy with the glove. Shout from the mountaintops that album sales build a company...but sacrifice builds a nation. Internalize the fact: The person who HAS character always is greater than the person who IS a character. Parents of all races...use this teachable moment to show your dear ones how evil--both the despots abroad and the bigots at home--can be overcome with the sacrifice of great men.
Keeping plastic surgeons employed doesn't make Michael great. Keeping us free makes Major Cummings great. Today, in between the moonwalk facsimiles and glowing eulogies...pause and thank the true hero. Major Cummings…Thank you. You were a hero, and a great American. We owe a tremendous debt to you for your service. Rest in peace.
Now that's important.
Great perspective, Roger. You are so right! I thank God for men and women like Major Cummings.
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