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U2 Continues Anti-Trump Sentiments, Stresses Importance Of Mental Health

By Stacey Cole
Published on: 17:27 PST, Nov 1, 2016

U2, the Irish rock group, has always produced music with powerful messages; messages that address issues affecting the global community. U2 first started in 1976, when four Irish teenagers, Paul Hewson (Bono), David Evans (The Edge), Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. decided to cover popular songs.

Since their debut in 1980, U2 have produced albums with themes that simply mature with time. Boy, U2’s debut album, focused on the frustrations associated with adolescence, while October, the band’s second album, contained themes that explored spirituality. Later, U2 released their third album, War, an outright political album. Up until the release of War, U2 was considered just the same as any other rock group. However, War proved that U2 was not the same as every other rock group; it was, in fact, a relevant group that could write meaningful songs.

U2 produced War to reflect upon the chaotic situation the world was thrown into in the year 1982. 1982 has long been considered an eventful year in history, with wars and political crises occurring in various countries around the world. Following the lines of the album’s central theme, U2 continued producing impactful songs, addressing issues like nuclear proliferation, political protests, and political movements in different countries. For example, “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” the album’s opening track, openly opposes the shooting of unarmed Irish civilians who were marching on a Sunday morning to raise their voices against Britain’s internment policy.

War was critically acclaimed and went on to surpass Michael Jackson’s Thriller on the UK music charts. Since then, the group has actively participated in campaigns to help solve global problems. U2 has traveled to countries like Ethiopia and Bosnia and performed at charity concerts to benefit those affected by the Ethiopian famine and the Bosnian war.

While performing at a recent concert, U2 protested against Donald Trump, the U.S. Presidential candidate, for his views on Mexican immigrants.

Donald Trump has faced severe criticism when he suggested building a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border to stop illegal immigration. According to Rolling Stone magazine, Bono, the lead vocalist, lambasted Donald Trump for incorporating an incorrect notion of the American dream and spoke about how Americans are going to prove him wrong.

“Now candidate, you understand it’s not just Mexican people who are going to have a problem with this wall of yours. It’s everyone who loves the idea of America.”

Besides supporting their band’s charity causes, U2’s band members have also individually contributed to several causes they care deeply about. Earlier, Bono traveled to San Salvador and Nicaragua to support the conflict-affected farmers who were distressed due to political instability in their respective countries. The Edge, the guitarist of U2, performed at a German festival against racism.

For his part, Adam Clayton has worked with St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services to raise awareness by participating in the “Walk in My Shoes” program.

As part of the program, Clayton urges people to care for their mental health, because he went through unpleasant experiences during his struggle with alcohol addiction. Additionally, Adam Clayton believes that a sound mental state of mind is essential for achieving one’s goals. However, he believes that many people suffering from mental health issues make matters worse by hesitating to seek medical attention. According to Raidió Teilifís Éireann, Adam Clayton revealed that seeking help from medical professionals and counselors is the first step one must take to escape emotional turmoil.

“It is not something that you have to live with for the rest of your life. It is not something that will stop you being part of the workforce. But you do have to talk to people about it”.

[Featured Image by Kevin Winter/Getty Images]

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