blueyedpoet
Refugee
I meant to write this last night, instead i got suckered into grading U2 albums (i suckered myself).
Often times I feel nostalgic for earlier days of U2 - days when either I wasn't even born, too young to care, or too oblivious to know. Just watching the Zoo TV and Popmart videos creates this feeling.
Last night, however, something dawned on me. First, I am extremely lucky to be a big fan of the best band ever - even if I am a late comer (I've been a fan since 1999 and I'm 21 years old, for the record). Secondly, and more pointedly, people who grew up listening to this band as the band grew up do not have the wonderful point of view I have. Whereas some see Bono as a peer, or a contemporary, or something along those lines, I see Bono as something of a role model, or better yet, a mentor. No, I've yet to meet him (not a result of a lack of trying), but his influence on my life is far deeper than that of a role model. Bono and U2 have done in several different ways: 1) my political views have been greatly challenged again and again, 2) my spirit has been nurished, 3) my heart, eyes, mind, soul has been inspiried.
Bono, and the band to be sure, have constantly challenged my political views. I grew up in a conservative home. When I started reading about what Bullet the Blue Sky was written about I was thrown into a state of disillusion. And, then I read that Bono and Clinton were friends. What the hell? Christians can't be democrats or liberals! There was such tension that I had to look things up myself and stop blindly believing everything my parents or other leaders said. So, I slowly started becoming more and more liberal. Eventually, I became a full blown out Bush/conservative basher. Once again, Bono started saying things that irritated me. What? How can Bono say Bush has done more for Africans than any previous president? Does Bono not understand that Bush is the anti-christ (*wink*)? And, now Bono is dedicating songs to soldiers! What the freggin' hell? This all created such discomfort in me, that I once again had to step outside and look at things from a broader perspective.
They've nurished my soul, and my intellect. When I experience Streets live I just feel like I've been wrapped up inside warm arms of love. I come away from live experiences refreshed. At shows I jump, cry, sing my lungs out (it probably sounds more like screams)...it's catharsis. Bono has written so many wonderful lyrics that enable me to look deeper into scriptures and my own life. His faith inspires mine.
And, lastly that is what they've (specifically Bono) done which makes them (him) mentors - Bono inspires me. He continually appeals to the best in humanity. And, even when he is down he continues pressing on. I think I'm most inspired by these rare climpses. The HTDAAB features such a climpse. Bono writes about how Ali encourages him to remain positive even when he is angry and hurt by lack of progress. Nevertheless, he's still there - pushing, pressing, calling, pestering, celebrating.
This could all sound like I've got this above-human sort of thought about Bono and the boys. I love them BECAUSE OF THEIR HUMANITY. My heart strangely grows fonder of them everytime they take a mis-step or start to fall. For instance, the fragility of Bono's voice; the fragility in Bono's emotions as expressed in the Slane Castle DVD; the quick temper Bono displayed at the water bottle fan in Oakland....Bono is human, somtimes he's even an asshole, yet he's been able to accomplish great things. This band has written some less than perfect songs, and yet they've also written some of the most beautiful tunes ever.
I don't know if any of this makes any sense. Their music, their lives, their story, it all breaks my heart and yet heals my soul.
So, if Bono was my age, or just slightly older, I don't think I could have this impression. I would be left without my mentors and my pastors.
Often times I feel nostalgic for earlier days of U2 - days when either I wasn't even born, too young to care, or too oblivious to know. Just watching the Zoo TV and Popmart videos creates this feeling.
Last night, however, something dawned on me. First, I am extremely lucky to be a big fan of the best band ever - even if I am a late comer (I've been a fan since 1999 and I'm 21 years old, for the record). Secondly, and more pointedly, people who grew up listening to this band as the band grew up do not have the wonderful point of view I have. Whereas some see Bono as a peer, or a contemporary, or something along those lines, I see Bono as something of a role model, or better yet, a mentor. No, I've yet to meet him (not a result of a lack of trying), but his influence on my life is far deeper than that of a role model. Bono and U2 have done in several different ways: 1) my political views have been greatly challenged again and again, 2) my spirit has been nurished, 3) my heart, eyes, mind, soul has been inspiried.
Bono, and the band to be sure, have constantly challenged my political views. I grew up in a conservative home. When I started reading about what Bullet the Blue Sky was written about I was thrown into a state of disillusion. And, then I read that Bono and Clinton were friends. What the hell? Christians can't be democrats or liberals! There was such tension that I had to look things up myself and stop blindly believing everything my parents or other leaders said. So, I slowly started becoming more and more liberal. Eventually, I became a full blown out Bush/conservative basher. Once again, Bono started saying things that irritated me. What? How can Bono say Bush has done more for Africans than any previous president? Does Bono not understand that Bush is the anti-christ (*wink*)? And, now Bono is dedicating songs to soldiers! What the freggin' hell? This all created such discomfort in me, that I once again had to step outside and look at things from a broader perspective.
They've nurished my soul, and my intellect. When I experience Streets live I just feel like I've been wrapped up inside warm arms of love. I come away from live experiences refreshed. At shows I jump, cry, sing my lungs out (it probably sounds more like screams)...it's catharsis. Bono has written so many wonderful lyrics that enable me to look deeper into scriptures and my own life. His faith inspires mine.
And, lastly that is what they've (specifically Bono) done which makes them (him) mentors - Bono inspires me. He continually appeals to the best in humanity. And, even when he is down he continues pressing on. I think I'm most inspired by these rare climpses. The HTDAAB features such a climpse. Bono writes about how Ali encourages him to remain positive even when he is angry and hurt by lack of progress. Nevertheless, he's still there - pushing, pressing, calling, pestering, celebrating.
This could all sound like I've got this above-human sort of thought about Bono and the boys. I love them BECAUSE OF THEIR HUMANITY. My heart strangely grows fonder of them everytime they take a mis-step or start to fall. For instance, the fragility of Bono's voice; the fragility in Bono's emotions as expressed in the Slane Castle DVD; the quick temper Bono displayed at the water bottle fan in Oakland....Bono is human, somtimes he's even an asshole, yet he's been able to accomplish great things. This band has written some less than perfect songs, and yet they've also written some of the most beautiful tunes ever.
I don't know if any of this makes any sense. Their music, their lives, their story, it all breaks my heart and yet heals my soul.
So, if Bono was my age, or just slightly older, I don't think I could have this impression. I would be left without my mentors and my pastors.
