All people know about John Lennon, who was born in Liverpool on October 9, 1940. He was the founder of the best-selling music band, The Beatles. Not only well-known as a great musician, people also know him as a great activist. Unfortunately, he was brutally shot by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980. This was one of the saddest days in the music industry. None of his fans could ever forget the terrifying day even after 33 years.
Lennon’s Years as Activist
After the sad break-up of The Beatles, John Lennon started his own solo career by collaborating with his wife, Yoko Ono. Most of his songs were written to promote peace, equality, and humanity. One of his most famous songs is Imagine, which has been announced as one of the greatest songs of all time.
Imagine promotes peace to the world. Some people consider that the song includes controversial lyrics such as “imagine there’s no heaven” or “and no religion too”. It makes people think that Lennon was anti-religion. However, people may have misunderstood as the most important point of the song is to promote peace and unity to all people.
Furthermore, Lennon had also written other songs as campaigns against war. The songs are Give Peace a Chance and Happy Christmas (War is Over). Actually, all Lennon’s songs at that time were describing his full disagreement against Vietnam War that lasted for twenty years.
Not only writing songs against the war, John Lennon was also known for returning his MBE (Order of the British Empire) to the Queen of United Kingdom as a protest against Vietnam War. John Lennon’s activism days are so memorable until now. People always remember him as one of the great men even if he was often controversial and sarcastic.
Additionally, John Lennon also wrote songs to raise awareness for different social classes that exist and to raise awareness for discrimination against women as the gender who’s often oppressed in the society. The songs are titled Working Class Hero and Woman Is The Nigger of the World.
Woman Is the Nigger of the world had been quite controversial at that time until Lennon himself explained that he used the word Nigger to express the oppression against women without any negative purpose. The song shows how women are often oppressed since they still receive many stereotypical judgments.
Lennon used to be controversial in his statements and songs. However, it was actually just his way of expression. In addition to his activism for peace and humanity, he had created a non-profit foundation that has helped to give donations to the needy until present days as his works are continued by his wife, Yoko Ono.
John Lennon’s Beatles plus his unforgettable songs and activism have been so memorable in many people’s hearts. These memories about Lennon have made it difficult for people to forget the death day of one of the greatest men in twentieth century.
Source by Dewi Wihardja
