Richmond fans pay tribute to Michael Jackson
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Michael Jackson vigil
Michael Jackson fans hold a candlelight service outside the Coliseum in Richmond.
AP
(File photo)
Aaron Crews remembers the day he begged his mother to buy him a Michael Jackson poster from a vendor on Broad Street in downtown Richmond.
When his mother said yes, Crews says he started "moonwalking up and down the street." He was about 9.
Now 34, Crews stood on stage and held up the same poster yesterday evening for a cheering crowd of hundreds of people who assembled outside the Richmond Coliseum for a vigil and a celebration of Jackson's life.
People of all ages, including several local politicians and die-hard fans dressed as Jackson, watched as performers took the stage to sing and dance to some of Jackson's best-known hits.
The event was sponsored by Citizens Against Crime, an organization founded by Alicia Rasin better known for holding vigils for homicide victims.
Several of those attending last night's vigil said they were tired of hearing in the media about Jackson's personal problems and just wanted to remember the performer who changed their lives.
Daniyel Willis is a self-described street dancer who goes by the name "Popadock" in Atlanta. He was dressed in full Jackson attire, wearing a red shirt with golden tassels, a black hat and a single white glove.
He danced for the crowd to parts of Jackson hits "Billie Jean," "Thriller" and others. The Richmond native said Jackson taught him he is never too old to accomplish his dreams. "He was my inspiration," he said.
Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones, Councilwoman Reva Trammell and Del. Delores L. McQuinn, D-Richmond, also spoke at last night's event.
Jones said some of Jackson's music sends a message of personal responsibility, including his song "Man in the Mirror."
"We must look at the man in the mirror, and we must start with ourselves to make this a better place," Jones said.
Callie Overstreet of Chesterfield County said she has cried about six times since Jackson died. "He was the best as far as I'm concerned in dancing and singing," she said. "I'm sorry, not even Elvis" was as talented.
Rita Dumas of Richmond recalled seeing Jackson perform in Richmond when she was 12 or 13.
"I liked Michael Jackson up until he started changing his appearance," Dumas said.
Stephanie Jackson said her 8-year-old daughter, Star, just stared at her mother when she broke down in tears over Jackson's death, so she brought Star to the event to help her understand her mother's reaction.
"I think it's an honor to be here," Stephanie Jackson said.
Contact Reed Williams at (804) 649-6332 or
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Reader Reactions
Well, there are facts that were detailed by the investigating officer in the case that was settled out of court. Jackson’s genetals matched the description the accuser gave to police. There were books depicting young children in sexual poses in his bedroom. There was an alarm that sounded when someone entered the hallway to Jackson’s bedroom. Both cases had some pretty damning evidence. He was never convicted so in the court’s eyes was innocent of all charges.
The media and people are so quick to judge Mr. Jackson and say he slept with little boys. If you were not there than how can you say that he did sleep with little boys. He who is without sin cast the first stone. He was never proven guilty of the charge. “Innocent until proven guilty” what ever happen to that?
the man was never charged, and the accusers got rich. did you know him? how do we even know he liked little boys. did he tell you? the media did, and they weren’t there either. the only ones there were the kids who were…KIDS!! they had no control over being sent to neverland ranch, and these kids are talking and saying whatever their parents tell them to. why is this so hard to see? we zero fact…zero.
It’s the media and public’s fault he liked little boys. This is a sad commentary on how people view morality in this century. It’s never the person’s fault, never show personal responsibility.
let haters hate. we’re dealing with a person who from day 1 was bread to be an object of exploitation. think about it. have any entertainers who started out that young ever turned out normal? and he is by far the most famous entertainer of all time. the man didn’t see life like you normal meat-heads. he was killed by haters like you. he was killed by these blood-sucking idiots who sent their kids to neverland ranch with dollar signs in their eyes and a script. open up your eyes, and stop taking life and the media at face value.
I watched the video and I noticed a large stage. Hmmm, I wonder about the cost of the tribute. A stage, a sound system, police overtime, etc.
Oh, well, I guess they had some fun. I just hope they played Dirty Diana because that song will whip a crowd into a frenzy.
no one denies that where there is that much smoke there is usually fire. no one is celebrating what he became and what he may have done.
but now that he is gone, people are realizing that they can’t deny the positive impact he had on their lives for the 20-30 years before his personal downfall. he was the central reason many people had dreams and hope and inspiration. through his music and performance he changed lives, connected people.
now that he is dead, people are discovering out how much they missed the man that existed before his disgrace, how central he was to their lives for years and years on end. he was the soundtrack of our lives for at least two generations of people all over the world.
no one is celebrating what he became, they are celebrating the positive impact that he had on them for decades before that.
drhoagie: excellent point. I invite you to put your comment in the form of a letter to the editor and challenge these fools.
It was a joy to be there last night. For those of us that went it was a special time.
Yet another reason I tell people I live in Henrico County.
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