SubscribeMichael Jackson – A morte que sacudiu o mundo
Watch the music video of "They Don't Care About Us" (Brazil Version)
It is always strange to hear about a big news story from the United States while I am abroad. Generally it is a kind of homesickness itch that makes one want to be at home with the people who are sharing the same emotions and experiences surrounding the news.
With Michael Jackson, however, even if he died in the US and was a US citizen, the whole world has been commemorating his life all night yesterday and all day today. Michael Jackson in the news over the last ten years has been reduced to appearances about his pedophilia problems and his strange behaviors. After his death, however, people have once again rejoiced in the success of his musical career. Even in the news in Brazil, all they have talked about is the musician’s life, his appearances and experiences in Brazil, and Brazilians who have been moved and motivated by his music.
Michael Jackson had filmed a music video hear in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in the favela, (poorer neighborhood), of Santa Marta in Botafogo in 1996. The video was to the music, “They Don’t Care About Us.” At the time it was very polemic that a famous musician was going to film in the favelas of Rio a song about the problems of stereotypes, racism and socio-politlical problems facing marginalized peoples. Rio, after all, at that time was just settling into its new state as a democracy, and the socio-urban problems were becoming more outspoken. At first the authorities of Rio de Janeiro tried to interrupt the filming, worried that the music video made Brazil seem like a country of poverty, which would harm tourism. Finally the music video was filmed and released. However, the second version of the music video in a prison became more famous in the United States and in Europe.
Seeing the quantity of coverage of this star, and seeing how his presence and music has influenced the entire world, has really revealed how Michael Jackson was really a global icon. After the death of Michael Jackson, the lage, or flat cement rooftop, where the music video was filmed has been elected to become a historical spot. The municipal government (yes the same sector of government who 13 years earlier attempted to impede the project) plans to put a statue of Michael Jackson in the area.
