The Queen Effect

Growing up, I've heard his name a couple of times from my father who was a music junkie --Freddie Mercury. I used to hear stories that he was the man who launched the band Queen into fame and that he was known to have weird front teeth. A quick Youtube search brought hundreds of videos from his performances that were epic and well, for the lack of a better term, out of this world. His recent biopic, masked in a movie called "Bohemian Rhapsody," showed the different sides of the man and how he rose to fame.

Although the movie is entertaining in nature, it also explained the different stereotypes in society since his time in the 1970s until the 1980s. I couldn't believe how race became such an issue in a country like London. People only saw the surface of those who were of color and not British. They didn't look beyond how they looked and what they could do. It was sad how Mr. Mercury himself struggled with his own sexuality, jeopardizing his current relationship and eventually his health.

But one thing is for sure, I have learned from the movie to embrace everyone as they are. Performers may have different ways of expressing themselves but they deserve respect and love. When Freddie Mercury performed for the Live Aid stage (a concert for a cause to feed Africa), he showed the world that beyond his race, looks, and sexuality was a human being ready to give his all so that others may live. That was probably his last performance but he gave it his all for the world to see. It was the pure, raw talent of a beautiful human being.

I guess that's how we should also live our lives - in the service of others. Our passions will lead us to our dream career but above all we should make sure to do what we can to contribute to the community. As for Queen, they gave us a lifetime of music that eventually became the anthem of our lives. Songs like "Love of My Life", "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" will always be part of social events and personal drama moments.

The movie made me realize that we should not let anybody look down on us because we are queer, gay, or have the weirdest ideas to date. Who knows? It might take off to become a worldwide phenomenon. Like the old adage goes; you never know unless you try. Take risks and enjoy the chances that you take. Embrace humanity as it is, but with caution. Too much of everything will kill you.

I wish the younger generation would get to know Freddie Mercury. He is a man from whose life we can pick up so many lessons. His mistakes also make us realize what we should not do. I bet he is smiling from above about how we all know his life today. Long live Queen and the music of rock and roll.