At the time of Micheal’s TV appearance, I was his age, growing up in a small southern town and bumping against rigid racial rules about how the world should operate.  When little Michael and his brothers appeared on TV it was as if a magic wand had been waved.  Every black child I knew got an instantaneous injection of pride.  The feeling that has nothing to do with family and everything to do with being seen through a different lens.   His fame has never been only about the music.  Michael was the key that opened doors that were previously locked tight.  He is/was a history key.

Deepak Chopra has written a tribute to Michael here.