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EDITORIAL: Musician
warriors speak to youth
Anyone who holds a pessimistic view about the nation’s future may take comfort
in knowing that Taiwanese musicians are projecting themselves loudly and
strongly.
Several artists at the Golden Melody Awards on Saturday used the event to raise
awareness — on and off-stage — of social issues facing the country, which they
considered to be of critical importance.
Hip-hop artists Kou Chou Ching (拷秋勤) plastered anti-nuclear stickers on their
faces and wore customized black-and-white suits printed with the message: “What
is happiness? Zero nuclear power.”
Aboriginal musician Dakanow (達卡鬧) walked the red carpet with a towel promoting
the fight against the controversial Miramar Resort Hotel on the eastern coast.
Best Aboriginal Singer Award winner Sangpuy led fellow Aboriginal performers
onstage, expressing their commitment to safeguarding their ancestral land.
Four bands came together to outline the development of the nation’s independent
music: popular band Mayday (五月天), rock band The Chairman (董事長樂團), alt-rock
veterans Backquarter (四分衛) and Luantan A-hsiang (亂彈阿翔) — a group led by
singer-songwriter A-hsiang (阿翔) of the beloved, but now defunct, underground
rock band Luantan (亂彈).
They began by depicting the struggle of independent music groups to develop
their music, including their indignation over the closure of a well-known live
house, Underworld (地下社會), one of many live music venues that have been closed
down by the government.
The performance ended by sending the audience’s blood racing: A giant image of
the word “良心” (liang xin, conscience) was projected in bright red, filling the
screen behind the stage, and then the group broke into rousing song urging
greater expression of the vitality of Taiwanese society and celebration of the
originality of the nation’s rock music.
As many people in show business are notorious for ducking social issues, it was
gratifying to see so many high-profile artists braving the risk of being
blacklisted by corporations and government agencies to take a public stance on
social issues.
Because of that night, perhaps many young people who previously had a gloomy
image of their future will not think it is quite so bleak, judging by the
positive reaction of the young fans in the audience.
As for criticisms directed at the musicians for mixing social issues with
entertainment, a better question would be: “Why not?”
There is no denying that many youngsters have only become aware of social issues
facing Taiwan through their favorite bands and artists.
While people should not blindly follow the celebrities they admire, surely it
does the nation good to have more people, particular young people, pay more
attention to matters that concern their nation’s core values of democracy and
human rights.
In the eyes of many, these outspoken artists have become more than just singers,
band members or celebrities; rather they have become warriors — warriors for the
voiceless, for the unjustly deprived and warriors fighting for Taiwanese
democracy and rights.
As we applaud their courage in taking a public stance on critical issues, let us
hope more celebrities follow suit and use their influence to raise public
awareness, helping to foster debate on public policies.
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