Watching the New Michael Jackson’s Movie Made Me Think About Community Differently
I watched the new “Michael” Jackson movie, and I feel very emotional.
Seeing Michael Jackson Beyond the Fame
Not just because of the music.
Not even because of the fame.
But because of the amount of light one human being carried into the world, while clearly carrying so much pain of his own.
There was a moment in the movie where I stopped thinking about Michael Jackson the celebrity and started thinking about Michael Jackson the child.
Showing Up While Carrying Pain
A young Black kid growing up in those times.
A child performing under pressure.
A child learning that showing up for people sometimes meant ignoring his own pain.
And yet he still showed up.
That part stayed with me.
Because we still see versions of this today. Only now it is online.
People show up every day carrying things nobody can see.
Creators. Artists. Leaders. Friends. Community builders.
Meanwhile, hundreds or even thousands of people are waiting for something from them:
their attention,
their energy,
their creativity,
their presence.
And somehow, despite being human too, they still show up.
I think that is part of why Michael connected with so many people.
Not just because he was talented.
But because people felt something from him.
Music and Dance Connects Us All
When he said:
“Music and dance connect us all,”
I felt that deeply.
Because music does connect people.
Music creates shared feeling.
Shared memory.
Shared emotion.
Not just groups, platforms, and audiences.
But moments where people feel connected to something bigger than themselves.
And honestly, I think that is why so many people loved Michael Jackson so deeply.
Michael Jackson’s Energy Was Not Noise
His energy reached people.
Not noisy energy.
Not performative energy.
Real energy.
The kind that makes people feel alive, understood, emotional, and inspired.
I recently came across this thought from Sahil Bloom:
Energy is the most attractive human trait. Not looks, wealth, or status. Energy.
And immediately I thought about Michael.
Because some people walk into spaces and leave people feeling more human afterwards.
That matters.
Another line from Sahil’s piece that stayed with me, too, was:
In a world full of half-listeners, full attention is the rarest gift you can give.
And maybe that is part of what people felt from Michael, too.
Presence.
Attention.
Emotional commitment.
The willingness to give himself fully to the moment, to the music, to the people experiencing it with him.
What Are We Giving to the Communities Around Us?
It made me reflect on something important:
What are we giving to the communities we are already part of?
Not just online communities.
Not just audiences.
But our friendships.
Our families.
Our workspaces.
Our creative circles.
What kind of energy do people experience around us?
What would we be remembered for?
I do not think community is only built through platforms and followers.
Community Is Built Through Presence Too
Sometimes it is built through:
presence,
attention,
care,
contribution,
and the energy we consistently bring into the lives of other people.
That is what stayed with me after watching the movie.
Also… I need new headphones 🎧😭Buy me one
I would love to hear from you.
Which people or communities have shaped your life simply through their presence, energy, or care?
Feel free to share in the comments or message me directly.
👉 If this resonated with you, join my circle to learn more about building a community, contributing to your communities or finding your own voice.
