1. Michael Jackson: His Impact
Reflection Paper by Latriece Williams
I still have memories of fall 1987, I remember, it was right before winter. My Uncle
Wallace came to our house and told my brother and me to “come check this out.” We all
gathered in the living room anxious to see what he was going to surprise us with. As we took a
seat, he placed a video in the VCR and showed us this scary movie he called “Thriller.”
It was the best thing I had ever seen. I thought of Michael Jackson as a scary super hero. I
remember playing this video over and over. Once I was introduced to his music, I began to see
more and more videos he had created. I was enthused, with not only the music, but the way he
choreographed his dance moves to his lyrics. Michael Jackson had true talent and an
unbelievable artistic ability.
As I got older, I lost interest in Michael Jackson. He was going through child molestation
allegations and he didn’t seem as remarkable to me anymore.

2. Despite being acquitted of such charges, Michael Jackson’s perfect image began to be ruined
through media gossip. When I would hear people joke about Michael Jackson, I would sit back
and laugh. I would often talk negative about him as well.
On June 25, 2009, I was driving home from work, listening to the radio; I heard the
devastating news of the death of Michael Jackson, an innocent man the world never
understood. I was in disbelief. I was startled and immediately called my brother. We talked on
the phone for hours and reminisced on how much impact he had on everybody. I began to feel
terrible about all the bad things that were said about him and even worse that I had talked
about him too. Michael Jackson had true talent. He made songs that reached deep down inside
a person and would touch their soul. He was one of a kind and definitely the greatest
entertainer known today.
When I look back at someone that had such a huge impact in my life growing up, I
sadden at the fact that I abandoned him, because of the bad press. It’s a shame that you don’t
know what you have until it’s gone. Today I watch his videos and wish he was still around. I look
at Michael Jackson as a fighter and a hard worker. His legacy will always live on and I will never

3. forget such a phenomenal person. Long live the King of Pop.