Bono (Paul Hewson)

Bono in Africa doing charity work! (http://fileserver.glam.com/glampress/music/aigivesback/bono.jpg)

Often times, a hero is thought of as the storybook character with the beaming smile, large muscles and superpowers. However a man’s character is his most hero-defining trait. James D. Miles once spoke, “You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.” This quote along with his ability to embody his life’s experience in an inspiring way truly define Bono as a hero. He started out as a regular Irish teen facing problems like ours and used music as an outlet of rising against the odds. Years later, Having built up fame from the international rock band U2 and acquiring lots of money and success, he was never selfish or blind to problems occurring around the world. He instead, stepped out of his comfortable lifestyle and used his international reach to captivate the minds of his fans and make a difference. By connecting to a broad array of cultures and backgrounds through his campaigns, experiences and music, he inspired millions to take simple steps with him to rise above problems of their own, to end diseases like AIDS and malaria, and fight worldwide poverty. His selfless dream of helping out others has developed into a reality, making him a true hero.

Despite many of the highs and lows he faced in his valley of life, he was able to overcome everything that challenged him and inspire others with it. He’s taken experiences from his life firsthand to create beautiful and innovative music that can appeal to all. For instance, his mother died during his teenage years and his relationship with his father was not very good. He shared that his father often pressed on the fact that “to dream is to be disappointed” (Fry). However, Bono “often cited this as a key reason for his forming such big ambitions and becoming even more determined to follow his dreams.” (Fry) The perseverance he conveyed even when his own father seemed to doubt him made him stronger and inspired him to create a name for himself as a rockstar and humanitarian. He was also challenged by people for the strong Christian voice that he uses in his music however he stayed true to his faith and was able to gain the acceptance of fans. U2’s hit single “40” is a direct modification of Psalm 40, “I walked patiently for the Lord. He inclined and heard my cry. He brought me out of the pit; Out of the miry clay. I will sing, sing a new song. I will sing, sing a new song. He set my feet upon a rock; And made my footsteps firm. Many will see, Many will see and hear” (U2). This song challenges a stereotypical rock song and incorporates strong biblical influences that allow him to stay righteous to his religious beliefs. It shows his strong proclamation of faith and how he follows Christ to lead a positive lifestyle. Bono cannot be held to the restriction of anyone’s mind and beliefs but his own, making him a true inspiring hero.

Bono at a (RED) event. (http://www.lugaluda.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/bono-back-surgery.jpeg)

Another large outlining trait of Bono is his selflessness. He’s reached a life full of fame and world-renowned glory because of his hard work in the music industry and yet he continues his work as humanitarian fighting for several causes worldwide. Over the course of his U2 career, the band won 22 Grammy’s gaining him several musical connections. Now, in order to spread his cause further he’s positively used these connections to appeal to an even wider ranged fan base. In 2006, he launched his (RED) campaign to fight AIDS with the support of many companies, “Gap is offering T-shirts and jeans, Motorola a red cell phone, Converse a series of limited edition shoes, Apple a red iPod nano and Giorgio Armani a collection of clothes and accessories — all of which will carry the Red trademark and channel up to 50 percent of profits to the program. The U.S. launch was also marked with full-page advertisements in major newspapers and celebrity support from Winfrey, singers Kanye West and Mary J. Blige, actors Don Cheadle and Penelope Cruz and model Christy Turlington.”(Reuters). He positively reached out to fellow celebrities and popular companies in order to appeal and allow people to make a difference with their everyday purchases. It shows that he stepped outside of his fame and lavished lifestyle to make a difference as well as used connections he gained from his career to help causes worldwide. He also helped cofound “ONE” in 2002, an organization that helps out with extreme poverty in Africa, “raising public awareness and pressuring political leaders to support smart and effective policies and programs that are saving lives, helping to put kids in school and improving futures” (ONE - “Who We Are’’). Though Bono’s success has allowed him to accumulate incredible amounts of money over the years he hasn’t stopped at just giving his money, he really inspires and encourages others to do the same by teaching them about what’s going in poverty stricken places. He’s a selfless man, who has never settled down with his success but instead puts others before him which boldly sets him apart as a hero.

Bono has reached out all of his life in order to connect and help others with his experiences. We’ve seen his ups and downs and watched him grow from it and continue to give back to others. He truly embodies many characteristics of a hero and an inspiration to fans and consumers everywhere. He pushed his fame on to smaller causes to benefit them. Living through the words of his own song, Summer Rain, he realized the deeper meaning of life and rose above his own problems. He reminds us in the song that, “It's not why you're running; It's where you're going; It's not what you're dreaming; But what you're gonna do; It's not where you're born; It's where you belong; It's not how weak; But what will make you strong” (U2) and encourages others to live a lifestyle as humble and generous as his own.

U2 with a few of their Grammys. (http://www.smh.com.au/ftimages/2005/02/14/1108229922943.html)