Ok, I hope noone takes offence at this.
It’s just something I feel like I need to say…
Today there is a concert being held for Diana to mark the 10th Anniversary of her death.
It will be a grand occassion with proceeds going to many of the charities Diana supported, which I think is a fantastic thing.
The line up is wide and varied with appearances from Will Young, Elton John, The Feeling (I love ‘Never be Lonely’, Orson, The English Royal Ballet, Tom Jones, Joss Stone and the interestingly named Wix Wickens to name but a few.
And while it’s all very commendable and a fantastic thing for her sons to be able to do, I can’t help thinking that they’ve missed an opportunity.
When Diana died it shocked the world.
I was 22 at the time. I had no kids, no mortgage and no real responsibilities, and I found myself alientaed from a big chunk of the nation in a way, as I just didn’t ‘get’ this huge outpouring of grief..
Not being a royalist in any way, I was sorry that she had died so tragically and so young, and very, very sad for the 2 little boys she left behind. But I did not know her as a person. I had not heard her speak at any great length. She hadn’t made me laugh, cry or form any kind of emotional link with her.
The fact that she was someone’s mum and she was gone moved me the most.
I’m sure she was a nice lady and a good person but there were enough of those in my life already.
And I know she still means a great deal to a lot of people in this country and across the globe.
But I just feel the concert could mean more.
If it was a concert in memory of Diana, and of all loved and lost parents, then more people like me, and those who are even more cynical about our Royal heritage, would feel better able to embrace and enjoy the whole idea.
Just a thought…
What do you think??
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July 1st, 2007 at 9:11 am
Well said! I couldn’t agree more. In fact, I produced a music video on the topic ten years ago after Diana’s death, using that global media event to comment on the cult of celebrity that has gripped our culture. I’m also concerned about people taking offense, as you put it, but I think the point is totally valid – we ordinary folk didn’t know this woman on a personal level, and even though she seemed quite nice, she can’t (and shouldn’t) be as real to me as the actual people in my life. So I didn’t quite get it, either (the outpouring of grief).
Anyway, if you get a chance, check out the video (“The Tragedy That Remains”) on YouTube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkRKesjvZ1o
Eric Goodman
THUS SPOKE THE SPECTACLE
http://thespectacle.net
July 1st, 2007 at 10:10 am
Thanks Eric.
I’ll have a look at your video and I’m sure alot of other people will too.
It’s good to get a varied perspective on things and I’m glad I posted this now.
I nearly didn’t.
July 1st, 2007 at 10:28 am
I think you have made a very good point Ms Beaufoix and I totally agree with you. While I did get caught up in the outpouring of grief and even went to London the day after Diana died (I was living half an hour away so it was pretty easy)I do think that this concert could mean more if it was also for loved and lost parents as you say. A close family friend of our died this morning, a wonderful loving father with 3 children. His life was just as special and important as Diana’s.
An excellent blog entry. I am very pleased you posted it, and to be honest I was wondering why I didn’t get the whole Diana concert, and now I’ve worked it out.
July 1st, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Thanks Ingenious.
Really sorry to hear your sad news.
It illustrates my point so well in some ways.
I hope you’re doing ok.
July 1st, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Before I posted a blog entry along the same lines I thought I’d have a look round to see if anyone else was daring to post on this matter – well done you!
Having lost my mother last year, this public outpouring of grieve seems mildly obscene to me.
Thanks for posting.
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:55 am
So sorry to hear about your mum Ms.Moll.
This must have been a much harder post for you to write than it was for me.
I’ll be over for a visit.
Take care.
July 2nd, 2007 at 6:45 am
I remember well when Diana died, I was babysitting a friend’s kids. I was shocked, as well, but I don’t know that I grieved her the way some people did. I think, perhaps, Diana might have liked the idea of a concert dedicated to all of those lost loved ones, rather than just to her. I think of friends who’ve lost their parents, of friends who’ve lost their children, and no one rounded up a bunch of celebrities on their behalf. And Ms. Moll, I’m so sorry for your loss.
J~
July 2nd, 2007 at 7:30 am
Thanks Jen.
July 2nd, 2007 at 7:40 am
Good comments from all. They, and your original post, Jo, seem to hit on the same basic theme: that suffering is human, and not the special province of celebrities. Suffering doesn’t happen only when it’s expressed on and given validation by TV. I therefore agree that this particular form of scripted, bombastic grief expression, first for the original funeral, and now reprised for the 10-year anniversary, seems obscene. That’s what prompted me to produce my music video “The Tragedy That Remains” in the first place.
But looking around for other perspectives, I did find some other analyses which I’ll mention for your consideration. Some pointed out how Prince Harry politicized the event from the start with a call out to the troops in Iraq. What would Diana, a noted pacifist, think of this? Another blogger pointed out how one of the featured celebrities was Kiefer Sutherland, noted for his hit show 24. Both he and the show have become synonymous with torture, a doctrine that the U.S. and Britain are currently attemtping to legitimize. Again, what would Diana think? And what would this privacy-loving person think of the mega-spectacles constructed out of her death? I for one find it hard to believe her sons’ contention that this kind of thing is “what she would have wanted” – but I know many will disagree.
Just more food for thought. I understand that people are uncomfortable voicing what may be seen as a minority position, what with the entire media world glorifying this concert event. And no doubt it will be followed by the magazine articles, more books, a CD and DVD of course, and so on, and so on…until the 20th anniversary when it will be rehashed yet again for even higher profits. But it’s our responsibility to think for ourselves, and not let the media think for us. So thanks again for opening up this dialogue and to those who have voiced their opinions.
Eric Goodman
THUS SPOKE THE SPECTACLE
http://youtube.com/SpectacleShow
http://thespectacle.net
July 2nd, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Thanks Eric.
You make some very intersting points.
So may things are done in the name/memory of other people, when really they shouldn’t be.
I wonder how much thought was put into this event and what it might mean to people.