Duran's Stamp of Approval
Stamps. Who needs stamps these days? Like a leftover box of mince pies on January 2nd, they are a remnant of different days.
However, this week they have meant something more. On the one hand they have been a wonderful tribute and honour to Duran Duran. And on the other they have meant that my social media timeline has been rather more wholesome and escapist.
The last few weeks (months? years?) have been full of the latest political battles and culture wars. Most recently in the UK we have see masked, black-shorted paramilitaries march on English streets proclaiming patriotism through intimidation and threats. American political news continues to upend social norms through lies on our post-truth world.
Words have lost their meaning. I think I used to be sure that shouting “send them back” before setting fire to a hotel full of people was racist. Now it seems it is just a community expressing legitimate grievances. A UK Member of Parliament can now run a political party on the slogan of “millions must go,” without censure, and without losing support.
There are, apparently, good and bad people on both sides.
We have just seen Ed Sheeran experience a media storm for either not expressing his political views, or expressing them, or something else. Duran Duran faced similar in the early 80s. At a time of race riots and mass unemployment, their Rio yacht was a provocation to many. Why were they not signing about Thatcher or the Cold War?
In early 1983, Bono said, “It’s as if someone has eaten too many Smarties over the last couple of years.”
John shot back with, “I don’t think we have to answer to anybody. I don’t see why we should have to satisfy what I consider to be pretty semi-graduate university thinking.”
Andy was blunter: “How fucking thick of the press to base their whole concept of a band on image and not on music.”
In a different life, Simon sang, “Here besides the news of holy war and holy need, ours is just a little sorrowed talk.” He dedicates this song to those experiencing suffering and hard times anywhere. On this October tour, when he does so again, his words, which can lose meaning through repetition, will hit that little bit harder.
Maybe escapism is waving the white flag. Maybe not ‘joining in’ leaves the ground free for the racists to play. Maybe all of it is just sorrowed talk.
In the meantime, I am truly grateful for some stamps.
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