Michael Jackson & HIV/AIDS

Michael Jackson. The King of Pop. May he rest in peace.

We know of his music. We know of his moves. We even know of all the controversies surrounding his life, from plastic surgery, to alleged child molestation. But did you know that Michael Jackson was dealing with HIV & AIDS as well?

No, no, no. Michael Jackson did not have HIV nor AIDS... as far as I know, at least. But knowing how much of a philanthropist he was towards children and communities around the world, I was just struck with curiosity. Was HIV ever among Michael Jackson’s worthy causes?

Googling here and there, I found what I was looking for.

Ryan White was a teenager who became the face of HIV and AIDS in the United States after being discriminated against because of his HIV status. He contracted HIV from infected blood products he had received as treatment for his hemophilia.

Having been diagnosed with HIV in 1984, a time when it was very poorly understood, White was expelled from his school because parents and teachers considered his infection as a threat to others. From there stemmed White’s mission to educate and enlighten people about HIV and AIDS. And that’s where Michael Jackson came in.

Along with fellow celebrities Elton John and Phil Donahue, Michael Jackson brought the nation’s attention onto Ryan White’s mission. The greatest result of this mission came after White’s death in 1990, when the Ryan White Care Act was passed by the US Congress.

Now other than the spotlight that Michael Jackson brought, as well as the red Mustang he gave White as a gift... yeah, yeah, I can already hear the kids-and-Michael-Jackson jokes ringing... Michael Jackson also wrote and sang Gone Too Soon as a tribute to Ryan White and his cause.

Gone Too Soon

Like a comet blazing 'cross the evening sky
Gone too soon

Like a rainbow fading in the twinkling of an eye
Gone too soon

Shiny and sparkly and splendidly bright
Here one day, Gone one night

Like the loss of sunlight on a cloudy afternoon
Gone too soon

Like a castle built upon a sandy beach
Gone too soon

Like a perfect flower that is just beyond your reach
Gone too soon

Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight
Here one day, Gone one night

Like a sunset dying with the rising of the moon
Gone too soon

Gone too soon

So sans the controversies and eccentricities, Michael Jackson leaves behind more than just his music and his moves... he leaves behind a legacy which can literally heal the world. Gone too soon... Gone too soon.