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Michael Horowitz was just like you and me, getting his degree from a state school with a double major in communications and public relations with a specialty in music. He had that drive that every generation has--to make a difference. Just last summer, Michael went on a Music-Without-Borders trip to the Sudan in order to educate the people about how they can create music scenes to make their country a better place.
Sure, that's what we all know about Michael, but there is something deeper that his story and tragic passing tells us.
On April 9, 2013, Michael was having just another ordinary day. Eating lunch at the college cafeteria, attending classes, stopping by the recreation center to have a nice workout and shot of grass... and getting ready to see the indie band at night. But it all went wrong... Michael was tragically killed.
Earlier this week, Michael probably heard the indie band's new song. He was probably reading thinkpieces about their controversy. He was probably even pumped when he saw that they were coming to his town.
Michael got in line before any one else. He was there at 4 pm, even though doors were at 8. The people at the front of the line loved Michael. They talked and talked about the indie band, and one had even downloaded a potential leak of their new album.
In a way, it was Michael's enthusiasm that got him killed. It was not his fault that he was at the front, right next to the stage. He got there early. He earned that spot. But every one wanted to take that spot from him, which is very much how society works. Every one wants what they haven't earned, similar to the principles of Obamacare.
Michael died with a wadded up copy of a set list in his hand. In a way, that's what we all want out of life--to grab that set list of stage, pick up a guitar pick, and take a picture with the frontman of the band after the concert, asking him to sign the set list. Who doesn't deserve that?
In a way, we're all Michael--no we're not all dead. But in a way, we're all just trying to be a better version of ourselves, which is why Michael had a double major. In a way, we're all trying to double major at something. Let's face it--this generation needs all the skills we can get due to the employment situation in America.
Michael was aspiring to be part of the creative class--a class that you cannot export to China. We're here. We're local. We're innovative. Michael was one of us. In a way, we're all Michael. Let's face it--when Michael died--all of us died, because at the end of the day, Michael died where he was happy, and they can never take that away from him.
I cannot say what did or didn't happen to Michael. Nor can I say who is to blame. But I can say that Michael is at an indie band's concert in the sky, getting everything he wanted out of life.
I saw that photo of Michael on the ground, and a single tear wiggled down my face, gravity pulling it to the ground...
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I knew the ground was where Michael was going (6 feet under), but in a way, he is also going to the sky (heaven). I hope that heaven is what Michael always wanted it to be, but in a way, being front row at the indie band's concert might also be heaven to Michael, so he died in heaven and also went to heaven. Let's face it--that's not too bad.
Goodbye Michael.
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