On June 25, the world lost one of its most powerful icons. The "King of Pop," Michael Jackson, passed away.

His contributions to the entertainment industry are both unbelievable and undeniable; the first time he did the moonwalk in 1983 at Motown's 25th anniversary, it was revered as the biggest thing in music since The Beatles first appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show." His album "Thriller" is still the biggest-selling album of all time, and the video for "Thriller" is considered the greatest video of all time.

We all know what Jackson has done for the world, especially those who grew up in the 1970s and '80s, but what about those of us in our teens and early 20s? How have our lives been affected by his?

"Michael has made me realize that I'm blessed and should share my blessings with others," said 19-year-old Andre' Culbreath, a junior at Francis Marion University. Culbreath talked about the many charities that Michael Jackson has donated to, including "children in Third World countries to inspire them to be doctors and lawyers or whatever they want to be."

Gina Dantzler, 19, a graduate of Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, said she "connected" with Jackson and his work with charities because, "I am big on community service, and he holds a Guinness world record for his charity work. Also, being biracial, his song 'Black or White' helped me get through some difficult years."

Her younger sister, Eucenia Dantzler, a senior at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School, added that Jackson was her "inspiration to both sing and dance and be the best whenever I perform."

Taking note of Jackson's contribution to the arts, Albert Shuler, a 22-year-old senior music major at South Carolina State University, said the song "Scream" by Michael Jackson, featuring Janet Jackson, has had a profound effect on his life, both personally and artistically.

"The song relates to me by telling me not to be pressured by anyone because who is to say that they know what's right for me," he said.

Shuler said that when it comes to the arts, "you cannot allow people to pressure you in art because then you will lose your creative voice. You must break the norm."

Shuler said his all-time favorite Jackson song is "Lady in My Life."

"I get more than a typical love song, I actually think of my mother, Andrea Culbreath, and grandmother, Gwendolyn Elmore," Shuler said.

The Dantzler sisters both plan to instill a love for Michael Jackson in their children and make a "whole new generation of fans." They said they plan to celebrate Jackson's life rather than mourn his death.

"He was a musical genius," Shuler said. "He has inspired me not to be a box thinker, and when I talk to my friends about him in celebration of his life, I think it is truly wonderful to hear them say their life was inspired by his music."

Culbreath said he continues to marvel at how much of a philanthropist Jackson was.

"I wish I could ask him how he continued to give so much without being discouraged by the media," he said.

Gina Dantzler said that if she could only say one thing to Jackson, she would say "thank you."

I, too, would like to say thank you to Jackson. Thank you for all of the music, memories and entertainment you provided while still finding time to give back to the community and doing your part to "Heal the World."

With my mother being a super-fan of Michael Jackson, it is safe to say that I was born into Michael fandom. So when he passed, it felt as though a favorite uncle had just died.

I believe it is safe to say that the greatest entertainer of all time will be missed by not only all ethnicities, but all generations who have experienced his life.

T&D Correspondent Marvin Davis can be reached by e-mail at mbdavis1@coastal.edu. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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