Reflections on a death
Yesterday morning I was listening to a discussion about attempts by the French government to improve the living conditions of migrants in ‘the jungle’ refugee camp outside Calais. With the onset of Winter the conditions are becoming intolerable with ankle deep mud and biting cold. The discussion was cut short because of the ‘major story’ of David Bowie’s death.
David Bowie was talented, anarchic, creative and musically brilliant. Even so, the hagiographical accounts of his life and the blanket coverage of his death seem to be excessive. How many have died in Syria or on the road from Syria since news of David Bowie’s death broke, I wonder? Coverage of relief convoys arriving in Madayan were squeezed in around Bowie footage last night, but as one expert said on the radio this morning ‘there are Madayans all over the country’. Musical inspiration, whether heard on a monster home sound system – or a radio clutched in the hand of a refugee on the run, is priceless – but don’t we need just a little more perspective?
I was surprised to see one Christian article addressed ‘to’ Bowie’ and quoting the plea from his own song that ‘may God’s love be with you’. Shouldn’t we be addressing the living rather than the dead? The article continued with an emotive description of the world without Bowie:
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I conducted a funeral yesterday for a good, honest, ordinary, loving human being. If her family can lift their heads up and not find the world ‘unthinkable’ without her, then surely the world cannot be unthinkable without a singer?
When the winds and rain come they will wash away the flowers and candles at Bowie’s impromptu memorials. His musical legacy will linger though. Perhaps it will keep a song in the hearts of some who are working to address the acute needs of the world’s must vulnerable people?