Five Things MJ Taught Me About Education

Source: http://bestofmichaeljackson.jclondon.com

I didn't grow up wanting to be a teacher. Like the rest of my family, I wanted to be "somebody" with a high-flying career, fancy car, fancy house, rich and gorgeous husbands, adorable kids--the whole works. I even walked the tried-and-true path in my family and did a 'marketable' degree.

Sound familiar? It's the life story of every other Asian adult, who over-achieves to please their parents, grandparents, but mostly nosy neighbours and extended relatives. Often, that means silencing your heart and doing what your brain has been force-fed with all your life.

If you're really lucky, a life-changing event (presumably one that does not kill you) happens to remind you of your ideals. Most people aren't so lucky, they go to their graves having lived someone else's life and wondering why they turned into grumpy old people.

But a rare few were lucky enough to follow their dreams, please their parents and live fabulous lives. But they didn't live to a ripe old age---think James Dean, Heath Ledger and now, Michael Jackson.

I'm writing this just an hour after watching MJ's "This Is It", which gives me plenty of pause for reflection. The first MJ song and music video I saw was "Beat It" at age six, and my fascination with his music and his roller-coaster life remains. And I realise now that I actually learnt quite a bit about education from the King of Pop:

Let children BE children. MJ didn't have that chance as a child, as he was forced to perform day in and day out to fulfill his father's ambitions. That meant no playing with other kids, no pets, no time off and no regular school. And look where that got him on a personal front as an adult. What can you do to avoid your kid crashing in about 20 years? Let them BREATHE. Stop this 24/7 cocktail of school, tuition and "co-curricular" classes. Your kid will thank you for it someday. 

Education outside the classroom. Sure, MJ was as guilty of radio-friendly pop fare as other pop stars. But he also wrote songs about loving the environment, racism and world peace---values that are not taught explicitly in schools (well, not in Malaysia, at least), but are more important than book knowledge.

Imagination is important. As an adult, Michael Jackson was not afraid to tap into his inner child (ok, maybe he went a bit too far with his Neverland ranch) but music videos like “Black or White” and “Man In The Mirror” showcased MJ's imaginative approach in teaching good values through his music. Imagination is one trait teachers can't have enough of. 

Don't stop believing. In a world where bad news is commonplace, MJ was one of a few singers who championed the rights of children, he believe they are future leaders of the world and told the world every chance he got. The next time you're feeling frustrated with that boy in your class who can't sit still or that group of girls who is always talking in class, remember that it is YOUR job too to believe in your “kids”.

Exceed your own expectations. Michael Jackson's first solo effort "Off The Wall" won him five prestigious music awards and 37% of the wholesale album profits. He surpassed his and the industry's expectations in 1982 with his "Thriller" album, which remains the best-selling album of all time. Then came "Bad", which had five no.1 hits, more than any album at the time. His concert tour broke two Guiness World records in 1987. And that was just during the first few years of his solo career.

Bottom-line: MJ taught me that to always aim higher. As  with other careerists, a teacher's greatest pride is accomplishing the impossible.