What Is True/Slant?
275+ knowledgeable contributors.
Reporting and insight on news of the moment.
Follow them and join the news conversation.
 
Jun. 26 2009 - 11:09 pm | 13 views | 0 recommendations | 16 comments

Michael Jackson Versus Iran…A Tie?

By YASMIN VOSSOUGHIAN

Michael Jackson’s death is a huge loss for the entertainment community as well as the world at large.  He is an icon, a true talent who shaped so many of our childhoods.  I can’t tell you how many times I have watched the “Thriller” video and tried to mimic one of the all time best dance routines .  I am quite certain you have also seen the video of prison inmates in the Philippines who managed to achieve one of the most unbelievable renditions of “Thriller” ever.

I think this video says so much more about Michael Jackson besides the fact that “Thriller” is an amazing song, and Michael Jackson a global superstar.  I am going to go so far as to say Michael Jackson served as a bridge between cultures around the world.  There are few artists that can achieve such heightened success.  Michael Jackson is one of those artists.  But, what does this mean for the situation in Iran?  More importantly, did Ahmadinejad have something to do with this?(too far?) Ok…

In an interview with The Daily Beast (yes, I am quoting another blog) David Rubin, a former Bush administration official says, Jackson’s death poses a threat to the situation in Iran, and goes on to say:

“Its’ a sad commentary that celebrity still trumps national security in news coverage, but that’s the world we live in,” says former Bush official Michael Rubin.

via Will Michael Jackson Doom Iran? – Page 1 – The Daily Beast.

Although, I agree with this statement, Michael Jackson is in a category of his own.  Iran should remain at the top of the World news cycle, and the press must continue to cover the situation.  But, Michael Jackson is not just any celebrity.  He has served as a connective tissue between the west and the rest of the globe.  Young Iranians along with people around the world know Michael Jackson, play his music, sing his lyrics, and watch his videos. He not only lead fashion trends here in the states, but abroad.  As someone who has traveled overseas, one of the coolest things is to hear a song like “Thriller” being blasted from a home in the West Bank, or a party in Tehran.  That is one aspect that connected me having grown up in New York to a young kid living in those places.  I think we can apply that theory to the rest of the world as well.  Yes, we are a culture obsessed with celebrity, where a music icon like Michael Jackson dies and the news dials back their coverage of  major unrest in Iran and turns to MJ tributes.  But, we cannot forget that Michael Jackson has served as an ambassador in a way, bridging the divide that exists between very different cultures.  Who would ever believe a massive group of prisoners can organize such an amazing display; only with an artist like MJ.  I guarantee many young Iranians are also mourning the loss of Michael Jackson, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

 
Previous Post:
Next Post:
 

More on True/Slant Right Now



Comments

DISPLAY
Called-Out Comments All comments
16 Total Comments
Post your comment »
 
DISPLAY
Called-Out Comments All comments
Log in for notification options
Comments RSS

Post Your Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment

Log in with your True/Slant account.

Previously logged in with Facebook?

Create an account to join True/Slant now.

Facebook users:
Create T/S account with Facebook
 

My T/S Activity Feed

 
     

    About Me

    I am a broadcast journalist, have covered the middle east for

    Current TV and worked as a foreign correspondent for Gallup News

    (yes, the poll-they have an online news network.) That covers the

    serious side of my CV. I have also worked with the Howard Stern show,

    and the Style Network, which surprisingly helped prepare me for work

    in the Middle East- kind of.

    When I am not at an underground party in Iran, or a Fatah youth rally

    in the West Bank (neither of which happen enough) I am in New York

    City training for a marathon or sweating it out in Bikram Yoga (too

    often).

    See my profile »
    Followers: 15
    Contributor Since: June 2009
    Location:New York City