My story-updated Nov. 3rd w/ my vocal performance included!

[jacilovesmichael]

Hi everyone! I've wanted to tell this story but haven't been able to until now (you'll find out why if you keep reading)...

3 days after Michael Jackson's "death", I competed in a local pageant (the local preliminary for the Miss America pageant).

I had been preparing for the pageant for a few months, and when Michael "died' (before I knew it was a hoax) I didn't think I was emotionally stable enough to compete. I was not going to participate, but a little voice inside me told me to stand up and be strong - for Michael. That is what he would have done. I wanted to win the pageant and use my title to inspire change, just as Michael inspired me.

So, I did the pageant. My talent was a vocal performance of "Over the Rainbow", and dedicated it to Michael. If you'd like to watch/listen, here it is. He's been my biggest inspiration as a performer. I learned from him how much one can learn about life from being on stage.

[youtube:c8umg6jy]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW409fN4L5k[/youtube:c8umg6jy]

I ended up winning the pageant. It was a very happy moment for me. My platform issue was "Promoting Family Values" and I set out to use my title to make a difference in my community.

I started giving speeches and interviews and performances around my area. It was so much fun. I felt so blessed to have that kind of opportunity.

As time went on, it got time to start preparing for the next level of competition: the state pageant. I worked hard on my new essay about promoting family values. I used quotes from Michael Jackson and information about his charity as some of my inspiration. I was so happy with my essay, turned it in with confidence and pride...only to get shot down by the board of directors.

I was told that it “didn’t look good” to have anything about Michael Jackson in my essay. I was told that even though he was talented, there is a negative stigma attached to him and I should avoid mentioning him unless strictly talking about singing and dancing.

I was also “encouraged” to literally fabricate many aspects of my resume to “increase my chances of winning”.

I was furious with all of this, to say the least.

I decided right then that I would not compete for the state title, finish my year as the local titleholder, and move on after that. However, the board informed me (pretty sure they didn’t want me anymore after this ordeal) that I either had to run for the state title or give up my current title (even though I had put in more hours and raised more money than any title holder in the recent past).

Long story short, I decided to give up my title.  I was absolutely disgusted with what I learned from participating in that pageant. I was told that I could just “be myself” and make a difference. Yet, when it came down to talking about the things I wanted to talk about, addressing the issues that I felt needed to be addressed, and giving credit where  credit is DAMN WELL DUE, my efforts were put to a halt.

I was unable to speak about this until I had officially handed over the title. Now I want everyone to know.

What does this say about our world, and my COUNTRY especially? I realize now just how stubborn society is when it comes to change.

I can say that I have more pride about giving up the CROWN than I did when I WON the crown. I had a chance at being Miss America, but I walked away from it in the name of Truth and in the name of Love.

I do not want to be a BEAUTY QUEEN (from a movie seen lol). All I want to be is a woman of character and a woman who knows how to think and speak for herself.

Thank you, Michael Jackson, for teaching me that one does not have to be famous to be a star.

Let’s all shine our own light and together, piece by piece, we can eliminate the darkness.

Love,
JaCi

[MJmakesmespeechless]

Welcome and what a great inspiring story. No doubt that Michael's influence gave you strength

I would love to see the video

[ladyandbird]

I would also like to see it.

[jacilovesmichael]

Thanks so much guys! I only have the video posted on Facebook, so you can add me on there and then go to "my videos".

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Does anyone know why the embed doesn't work? I thought I could just put the video directly on here. I'm not that great with technology I guess!

[RK]

I respect you for you uncompromizing stance. Well done.

[liegi]

Congratulations for having the courage to stand up for yourself.

[Stranger In Chi-town]

I'm glad you stood up for MJ, Jaci and chose the right path.

[jacilovesmichael]

I'm glad you stood up for MJ, Jaci and chose the right path.

Thank you very much. It was a difficult decision because so many people were expecting something different from me. But I've learned that the RIGHT decision is not always the most POPULAR one.  

[AvaMarie]

Thanks for sharing your story and having the strength to stand up for what you believe in.

[jacilovesmichael]

Thanks for sharing your story and having the strength to stand up for what you believe in.

Thanks Ava! I think that is the only way we are going to change he world, by standing up for what we believe in and making our little corner of the world better.

[IBelieveInMiracles]

Well done jacilovesmichael! You stood up for what you believe in!
Michael would be proud.

[Syringa]

Well done, you did the right thing, JaCi! Michael would be so proud. :3

I can't believe what they said about your essay... “Didn’t look good”? Oh, please, that's just so ignorant and wrong.

I would love to see your video, too, but I don't have a Facebook profile, so. :< But I bet it was really good since you won! :3

[mumof3]

well done  Havnt we all learnt alot  over the past year

[jacilovesmichael]

well done  Havnt we all learnt alot  over the past year

Tell me about it! It has been quite the year.

[Aintnosunshine]

Congratulations on your integrity, jacilovesmichael!

It seems you share your strange experience with Aphrodite Jones, who - although a best selling author - did not find ANY publisher for her book "The Michael Jackson Conspiracy".

I am absolutely sure that there was a HUGE - not only mainstream but overall effective - "media ban", i. e. an unspoken agreement not to write or report or show or air anything positive about MJ (besides his music).

Question remains: where did this "negative stigma" come from, when did it start, what was the reason and what was it aimed at?

WHAT WAS THIS ALL ABOUT?

Your thoughts!?