Saturday night’s multi-faceted show that aired worldwide, including both on CBC and CTV, had me somewhat confused at first.
Was it a show about anti-racism?–perhaps an attempt to “balance the ledger,” given the preponderance of blacks? Or was it a show about the global coronavirus pandemic that is growing worse in the areas least prepared to deal with it (as well as some that are)? It seemed to be about equal amounts of each of these issues. And there was also an environmental theme inserted into the show, as well.
So what was the point? A little bit of everything dear to the organizers?
And then I looked at the title, again. “Global Goal: Unite for our Future.” And it clicked.
The show was about the one thing that each of the three issues connect on. They are all global; they transcend national boundaries, physical barriers like mountains and oceans, cultural barriers, and socio-economic barriers.
The three issues intersect in our recognition that we are one, that the actions of every single one of us has an impact across our planet, and on our future on this planet. Because the actions of one affect the whole, unless we act together, we are in trouble.
It’s about time we recognized that! And it’s strange how three only marginally related issues have coalesced at a point in time to help us see that. They are uniting us globally.
Saturday night’s show was the initiative of European countries. But it was global. Medical professionals from around the world and from all races pled with us to take our global accountability seriously. Heads of states from around the world, including our Prime Minister, pledged to contribute toward making the pandemic response available to all. Concerts of various genres and types of groups celebrated our diversity around the common theme.
This world needs a whole lot more of that. It is isolation from others that leads to ignorance of our neighbours around the globe and breeds narrow-mindedness and discrimination. The current issues help us realize that we can no longer live independent from one another; we are neighbours. It is exposure to our connectedness that brings acceptance, understanding and a sense of responsibility to one another.
And contributes, if even just a mite, toward world peace—most everyone’s dream.
I’ve often advocated for international travel because of how much it contributes toward that kind of understanding and acceptance. A show of unity, like the Saturday night show, has the same effect, in a cheaper and more widely accessible way.
It was 49 years ago that John Lennon penned the words to that beautiful ballad, Imagine. I didn’t appreciate it as much back then as I do now. And he admits that it’s only a dream.
The three issues that have converged at this time, and Saturday night’s show itself, may play a small part in helping us realize some progress towards that dream.
I quote the words here. We might not all agree with all of them, but collectively, the words give us a lot to ponder:
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You, you may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you will join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You, you may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you will join us
And the world will live as one.
© Lenono Music
At least, that’s how I see it . . .
