Although many people look up to idolized and
perfected figureheads as 'heroes,' it seems more
logical for people to admire those who are still seen
as 'human.'  If we see those we admire as perfect, how
can we as non-perfect people hope to achive goals like
those whom we look up to?  If I were to pick someone
who has influenced me, I would choose someone who many
people actually look down on and often harass to great
extent.  Through her artistic and social work, Yoko
Ono has done many things that have helped those in
need.  Ono has never considered herself as a perfect
person, or even someone special.  As she said in a
recent interview, when asked whether she feels like a
role model, "I don't think that people should follow
my footsteps.  I really think if they can get some
energy and inspiration out of my work, I'm very happy.
 I would say, 'learn from my mistakes.'"
        I can not even imagine the pain that Yoko Ono has
been through in her life.  Despite going through
bombings in World War II, two divorces, harsh hatred
for 'breaking up the Beatles,' several miscarriages,
cruel criticism of her art and music, the kidnapping
of her daughter by her ex-husband, and seeing her soul
mate, John Lennon, murdered before her eyes, Ono has
pulled through all of this and has still managed to
smile.  For many people, going through even half of
what she has been through would be enough to break
their spirits and will to continue.  Ono has remained
strong, and has turned her pain and anger into music
and art work that inspires and helps others who might
be going through circumstances similar to her own.
        It is Ono's music and social activism that has
specifically inspired me.  When I bought Double
Fantasy, the album she made with Lennon shortly before
his death, I admit that I was very wary, because half
of the songs were Ono's.  I fell into the trap of
believing what others said, that she had no talent and
just screamed with no musical ability.  However, from
the first few notes of her first song, I was
immediately hooked.  I bought a CD of her solo work,
and from then on, Ono has been one of my favorite
musicians.  When I am confused with how I feel, or am
going through a particularly hard time, there is
always an Ono song that can help me figure out my
emotions.  With her earlier 'scream' work, so many
emotions are expressed that the songs feel both
inspiring and empowering.  If I am angry or upset, and
hear the song 'Why' from her first solo album, Plastic
Ono Band, I feel a release of negative energy and
start to feel like I have the strength to confront my
problems.  Even when I start to believe that no one in
the world can possibly understand the way I feel,
there is some Ono song that makes me feel better.
        As a strong social activist who sometimes feels
greatly discouraged by the attitudes of others and
what seem at times to be impossible barriers, Ono can
once again help me to continue.  There are times when
I am teased for my beliefs, and reading things that
Ono has said and done oftentimes gives me the strength
to face the sometimes harsh opposition to what I feel
is socially just.  She and Lennon believed in peace,
and despite being mercilessly mocked for their vision
of a world without war, they both continued forward,
refusing to submit when people told them it was
hopeless.  Hope is a common theme in Ono's work, and
this is important to me, because as long as I feel
that there is some hope to what I believe, I can
continue on with it.  I continue to hope for a world
where women, men, blacks, gays, Asians, Americans and
all other groups are seen as equal, and where violence
is not an answer.  Even when people look down on me
for being a male feminist, or for believing that gays
should be treated equally under the law, I know that
there is at least one person out there who is fighting
for similar things as me:  Yoko Ono.