PUC Chronicle

Issue date: 6/29/09 Section: News

As news spread over Michael Jackson's death, hundreds of people flocked to his childhood home in
Gary, 2300 Jackson Street, to pay respect to the pop icon.


Jackson was pronounced dead Thursday at UCLA Medical Center after being taken from his homes in Los Angeles. Paramedics tried to resuscitate him at his home, than brought him to the hospital for doctors to work on him. It is believed he suffered from cardiac arrest.


As soon as the news broke, fans in the region started to bring gifts to his doorstep in tribute of the Gary native. Multiple roses, stuffed animals, American flags, balloons, t-shirts, personal letters and other items laid across the front porch of his childhood home.


"The city of Gary Is in a state of mourning," said Gary Mayor Rudy Clay in a press release. Mayor Clay has a made a request for the family to lay Michael Jackson in Gary. "While he lived in California, his roots are in Gary," said Clay.


Angela Burnham from Hammond said she thought someone at work was playing a joke on her when she was told about his death. On the night of the death, Burnham and her family carried a neon green sign in tribute with a quote from Jackson's song "We are the World."


When Milcah Robinson heard the news in her car, she thought it was a rumor at first and was hoping it was false.


"This is seriously the most shocking news I have heard in a long time." said Robinson. Robinson among others lit candles in honor of the "King of Pop."


Cynthia Addison remembers watching him at a talent show when she was younger. "[The city of Gary] was so proud of him … He was a lovable person."


Michelle Donaldson recalls a time as a kid when she went to a concert at the Mill Theater on her birthday. She ran to the stage, Jackson picked her up and kissed her on the cheek. "He was the last of the legends," said Donaldson


"He came from us," Catherine said Alexander. "Jackson knew where he came from and that's why people came out to pay tribute to him."


Cecilia Rivera, a junior in political science said she went to the house to pay respect to the icon who was a inspiration to some of her favorite artist.


"Michael Jackson's was Gary's pride," said Rivera.

Alberta Dequin for Dekalb, Ill, visited the house as she passed through Gary on the way to Michigan for a family reunion. When she used to teach in the 1970's, she remembered her pupils and her children teaching her Michael
Jackson. She said she appreciated his "marvelous" talent, even though she belongs to an "older generation"


Brent Nelson from Chicago traveled to Gary to pay tribute to "the greatest entertainer to ever walk this Earth."


"I feel like part of me died," said Nelson


Delamontrail Allen from Gary said Jackson was his inspiration and kept him from getting involved with bad stuff.


"Michael Jackson set a way for everybody to get out of Gary and makes something of ourselves," said Allen.


Nelson, Allen and others led a circle of spectators in dance to Michael Jackson songs blasting from a nearby car.


Gordon Keith, the original producer of the Jackson 5, made an appearance at the house Friday to show his respects. Keith recorded the first Jackson 5 record in 1967. Keith said the Jackson 5 gave the community great pride in the community.


"You always feel about people that come from your neighborhood that did well." said Keith.


Keith was critical about the people that surrounded Jackson, including his father and his brothers, which gave him a massive amount of stress, possibly causing him to turn to drugs.


Along with his music, Jackson's life was plagued with strange behavior and allegation of child molestation.


"The allegations will pass [and] he was found not guilty for one of the allegations," said Robinson.


Donaldson said she was a great humanitarian, but it was over shadowed by the allegations.


"The allegations were the only blemish to his career," said John Collins. Collins also said he didn't believe the allegations.

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