What happened here on Monday night and what we woke up to yesterday morning defies belief in so many ways and it's difficult to know what to say, especially in a music blog. Equally, it's hard not to take something like this personally when it happens so close to home. My family and my workplace knew several people at the Ariana Grande show at the MEN on Monday night.
Manchester is one of the most culturally diverse, multi-cultural and inclusive cities in the country. As Dave Haslam said on Twitter yesterday 'You've got the wrong city if you think that hate will tear us apart'. We don't do small mindedness, racism and intolerance. One deluded, indoctrinated, murderous little fucker does not prove anything about the people we know as our neighbours. Anger and hatred and rage are understandable reactions to the deaths of twenty two people, including children, on a night out to see a gig, but the minute we give in to hate we have lost. We stand together, we feel anger but we love life, we love love and we hate hate.
This song by Doves came to mind and the opening line which gives this post its title. And also this part...
'We don't mind
If this don't last forever
See the light
But it won't last forever
Seize the time
Cause it's now or never baby'
Pounding
At times like this football seems like a very small thing in terms of importance but it's also a massive part of this city's history and traditions. With any luck tonight United will bring home a European trophy, with a multiracial, multicultural team of young black British Mancunians, Frenchmen, Spaniards, Equadorians, Dutchmen, Italians, Belgians, Armenians and more besides. United we stand.
Excellent post Adam.
ReplyDeleteAs Drew said - written from the heart
ReplyDeleteI've been to Manchester a few times and it always had a nice vibe about it and its people seem genuine and warm. It'll pull through stronger. Great post Adam.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Adam! As you said - Untited we stand.
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing this.
ReplyDeleteGreat words Adam!! As a young fella from the North of Ireland I was one of millions who took Manchester to my heart in the early 90s with the music coming from their effecting me still now. It's a strong city with a strong identity and more importantly a strong sense of community. Fuck those haters who have nothing in their hearts but hate. Keep on keeping on Manchester.
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ReplyDeleteWell said.
ReplyDeletePS: The Europa League gets a bad rap but I was very happy when Chelsea won it
After 9/11, everyone over here became fans of the New York Yankees during the '01 playoffs. I'll be rooting for your team today. My best to your city.
ReplyDeleteDifficult to know what to say but you've done a really good job here. Proud of the people of Manchester.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said. Must say too that I couldn't help but think about you yesterday.
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ReplyDelete"Manchester is one of the most culturally diverse, multi-cultural and inclusive cities in the country." well said Swiss. I grew up in the North West (Lancaster) From a child to a teenager to an adult i have spent lots of time in Manchester and it's probably my favourite city for the reasons you've so eloquently put. A city that inspires in its people,music and architecture. Manchester's response shows that we will not except fear, it shows that people accept each other for whoever they are. "under the sky, under the heaven, man.There is but one family.It just so happen, man. that people are different" A Bruce Lee quote but i'm sure he's an honorary Mancunian.
ReplyDeleteterrible events. wonderful heartfelt post
ReplyDeleteThanks all. There's a clip doing the round son social media of the minute's silence in St Anne's Sq today. After the silence a woman starts singing Oasis 'Don't Look Back In Anger'. I'm not a man usually moved by Oasis songs but its a beautiful tribute and moved me to tears the first time I watched it. And the second.
ReplyDeleteAs everyone has said, a terrifically well written piece Adam. United we stand.
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