"Talkin' is Easy, Isn't It, Dylan?"

“How many times can a man turn his head, pretending he just doesn’t see?” Bob Dylan has sung this verse almost every night for almost 50 years, so one would think he believes the words. It is the central phrase from his 1962 song “Blowin’ in the Wind,” one of his most well know songs, a song that led protests, voiced outrage, and documented the controversies and successes of the many who struggled for at times utopian, but often honorable causes. Thanks to songs like these, Bob Dylan has become an icon, and earned much. Not only has he made millions of dollars, but he’s also earned credibility and gratitude as well as a Pulitzer Prize.

In the past few weeks Dylan performed in China for the first time, first in Beijing and then in Shanghai. He who in 1973’s “Billy the Kid” rightly pointed his finger at the “patrols” that chased Billy throughout New Mexico, he who fought for Rubin Carter’s release after 22 years of innocent incarceration, he who in “Talkin’ New York” calls for social justice in every major city, he who fought for against harsh punishment for the weak and weak punishment for the strong in the words of “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll” in 1963, this same man sung his songs in China where the most atrocious violations of human rights are committed day in and day out, and he didn’t say a word. Nothing. Not even a mention. He performed there as if it were the Forum of Assago or the O2 Arena or Carnegie Hall, upsetting plans and confusing the few Chinese who knew him (2 thousand of the total 5 thousand spectators were paid), but didn’t remember his voice being so especially hoarse. He came up on stage and sung his songs, but he didn’t waste any breath or a subtle comment to express solidarity or even an emotional appeal to those in China who are treated like slaves or worse, or those who work without even a semblance of rights, or those who are sentenced to death knowing that the state will sell their organs and pocket the money as reimbursement for the expenses of their detainment.

Evidently by request of the Chinese government Dylan didn’t even play two of his most famous old warhorses: “The Times They Are A-Changin’” and “Blowin’ In The Wind.” Sure, the situation wasn’t an easy one and of course the main risk was causing an incident. But, in any case, since the Rolling Stones and Elton John (to cite the last superstars who passed through) have been to China for gigs, all has gone swimmingly. But when someone like Dylan — a symbol of more than just music, a multi-generational cultural and political symbol — goes to China, just singing the songs is not enough. In any case, the Bob Dylan that many people expected is not the same Bob Dylan that people worshipped and respected. Having said all that, maybe it is easy to protest where in the end no one prevents you from doing so. It’s much harder to put your foot down where someone would truly be able to prevent it. So we could say that this time it was Dylan who “turned his head, pretending he just didn’t see” (keep in mind that politics aren’t even the point, and that it’s just disappointing to see him perform with the same spirit as the “Cugini di Campagna”*: I always thought he was different… not better or worse: just different).

* [Editor’s note: a 1970’s Italian pop music group]