Manchester
Manchester holds a dear place in my heart. My grandmother's family are from Manchester. My favorite band is from Manchester. My favorite soccer team is from Manchester. And many of my friends are from Manchester. In fact, I was just there two weeks ago.
That's why this hits so close to home.
The purpose of targeting shows, sporting events, and markets is to make us afraid of many of the things we are privileged to enjoy. Terrorists want us to be in a perennial state of fear; to always look over our shoulders.
What they don't understand is that they have failed.
We will not cower, we will not bend, and we will not change our way of life. It didn't work in Paris in 2015, it didn't work in Orlando in 2016, and it certainly won't work now; if I know anything about Manchester, it's that it will take more than a bomb to scare them. Mancunians are a tough, resilient bunch, and these terrorists are about to find out they messed with the wrong city.
But more than that, think about your first concert. For many music lovers, it's what got you hooked. To feel the connectivity of artist and audience; to see total strangers coming together for one cause: to enjoy good music and, as Billy Joel once put it, "to forget about life for a while." That's because music—especially live music—has the power to unite. It can bring anyone together, no matter one's race, religion, gender, or creed.
For someone to attack a gig filled with such young fans makes this even worse. More evil, more cruel.
This was the first concert for many in the MEN tonight. They were finally experiencing the magic of live music. I hope, with every inch of my being, they will learn that live music is a celebration and a concert is not a place of fear. And if they do, they'll also learn that there are few places better to take advantage of live music than in Manchester.
So for many of us whose hearts go out to the rainy city but feel helpless, go to a concert. Play a record… loud. Pick up an instrument. Form a band. Love and help one another. Donate blood. Give to a charity. But most of all, live your life. Because when we change the way we live, those terrorists have won.
