Just Gimme Some Truth-The Story of John Lennon’s Activist Career

Have you ever dreamed of world peace? Just for once basked in the fact that people in charge of countries aren’t hurling bombs and bullets at one another, and sending young children to be swallowed by the gaping mouth of pain and suffering. John Lennon felt that too.

John Winston Lennon was born on October 9th, 1940 in Liverpool, England. His parents were Alfred and Julia Lennon. His father was long gone once Lennon was born but still supported John and his mother until John was four. This ugly separation would have a lasting impact on Lennon, leaving him with traumatic mental scars.  John was taken in by his Aunt Mimi. Once Aunt Mimi had reported John's parents to social services. He would see his mother quite frequently, but he wouldn’t see his father again for twenty five years.  Despite this, his mother was an amazing influence on Lennon musically. She would teach him songs by Elvis Presley and other musicians that were popular during the mid fifties on the banjo, piano and guitar. This interest in music would later lead to him forming his first band, the Quarrymen, which would later morph into the famous Beatles. Sadly his mother was struck by a car outside her and Lennon’s home when he was only seventeen.

John Lennon, the ex Beatle member, used his immense fame and public figure to fight for civil rights and held anti Vietnam War protests. He also incorporated his political outlook in the lyrics of his songs. Burning examples of this are Power to the People, Give peace a chance, and of course, Imagine. A line in Imagine clearly states his plead for peace, and no more violence; "Imagine there's no countries,It isn't hard to do, Nothing to kill or die for.” What inspired John to become an activist and advocate for what was right was simple: He had had enough with the civil rights injustices that were happening in the late sixties, early seventies. Not to mention his deep seated belief in pacifism, and the Vietnam War violated that completely. Lennon quotes: “It may be raining rain drops on you people, but it’s raining bombs in Vietnam, so let's give peace a chance!" 

In all, John Lennon inspired people through his music and his activist work. Through his turmoil with FBI surveillance, wiretapped phones and a four year deportation battle he remained resilient, and brave. Also showcasing a great deal of courage. People look up to Lennon mostly for his work  with the Beatles and his solo career in the mid seventies, but also for his work as a preserving activist. One thing everyone can take away from him is that you shouldn’t lose hope when times get tough, and that you shouldn’t let other people get the best of you when you speak up.