I watched a daytime host talk about how she wanted her child to watch today's events so she understand the significance. Do we really need a viral image of a man with his head blown off, especially when the glamourous photos of Prince William's wedding still in circulation?? Also amongst the hype was burying him at sea. Beside eliminating the manifestation of a shrine by his followers, the government chose to respect the religious process. This may seem so outlandish for such an evil person, so perhaps you personally may not respect such things, likely being a completely secularized and consumerist individual much like myself. But it was not out of respect for OBL, but more critically, the growing 2 billion Muslims the world over do care... Bin Laden may not have shown us any respect in his fueled hatred, but does that mean we should respond with equal hatred? In a time when America's image in the Middle-East has been heavily tarnished, the government's handling of the incident had to be carefully accessed from all respects. And the rapid burial? Muslim law dictates it must be buried in 1 day... so, c'est vie, mon amis. I hope the forthcoming information allays these suspicions... but I haven't seen it all myself, either. Honestly, my position on conspiracies, not that I don't believe governments are capable of mad shady shit, but rather, I'm more into cover-ups that serve the open, usually stated interests of their sources. In an interview I saw today, the legendary Immortal Technique said, "I myself, *laughs*, don't like to get into conspiracy, so I just say that, while I can't come here and say to people, 'oh I know exactly what happened', then I know that the govenrment's version [based on these gov't fallacies] is definitely not true." --This well-put statement encapsulates my outlook very well. I've gotten the opportunity to witness Tech grow positively, as both a revlutionary artist and individual. They are clearly one in the same for him. He's a true inspiration. Check that interview, here.
(Revelers take to the streets outside the White House).
But enough on that, that's just my 2-cents. As I've said, I'd prefer to avoid the of geo-politics on this (note: I'm also quite passionate about it). When I was watching the celbratory remarks in the day's media, I was a bit disheartened. Not to suggest people shouldn't feel as they do, I mean, who's to say how another should feel? This abstractness is especially true on such complex issues the world offers us today. But alongside the vast displays of celebration, I found some very refreshing commentary as well, such as a friend Lydia who said simply and beautifully, "I don't celebrate the death of anyone. Fuck. That." Considering that 70,000 people die in a day this remark was blatantly regarding Bin Laden which solidified a few things for me. First, the bare significance of this event, as well as the power of social media, and finally the normally odd celebration of someone's death. Then there were the more poetic remarks, my particular favorite being an MLK Jr. quote which I saw numerous times today, which apparently was made up and circulated as the civil rights leader's words. Like I said, 'the power of social media'.
"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." -- Unknown, Martin Luther King, Jr Impersonator"
Immediately coming to mind was my favorite D&B tune by Shapeshifter. I was put onto the New Zeleand group by a good friend of mine who caught their live sets while visiting down-under. Tripping on acid, my boy told me of the group's singer and his soulful voice of a demi-god. Shapeshifter is predominately a live band and as such, their recordings are akin to that of a typical band. The end-product creates a genuine, live atmosphere in their music in an era where computer-based studio music is the standard. The video here is actually not Shapeshifter, but a cover by Portuguese group Afro-Reggae. I chose this because today demonstrated our need to come together, irrelevant of cultural belonging, language barriers, or national borders. We can only bring change to the world for the better if we can step in unison. Afro-Reggae's version is a perfect reminder of a universal message which can transcend time and space through music. The lyrics are translated in the video, so please give them a read. Also, I've put up the original Shapeshifter version below as well. Today was an emotional day for many people, but we must examine ourselves following this symbolic event, to find a way forward. If we can work toward this, hopefully we will never again have to celebrate the death of any human being with such zeal. P.E.A.C.E.
Shapeshifter - Bring Change (Original)
