Harper Becomes Human, With a Little Help from His Friends

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past week, you surely have heard that Prime Minister Stephen Harper put on a show-stopping musical performance at the National Arts Centre (NAC) in Ottawa, on Saturday, October 3. Harper’s performance came as a complete surprise to everyone who attended the black-tie gala, which was a fundraiser for the National Youth and Education Trust. Who knew that a conservative prime minister who invoked the wrath of the arts community by cutting funding for arts and culture not only actually likes music but is capable of performing? Harper pounded the ivories and belted out the Beatles classic “With a Little Help from My Friends,” accompanied by the famous cellist Yo Yo Ma.

Harper’s performance created an instantaneously positive reaction from almost everyone. Symphony members on stage couldn’t contain their smiles. The audience roared their approval not only when Harper walked onstage but again when the first strands of music floated in the air. Liberals stood bravely in their seats to join in the standing ovation. For a few minutes, it appears the entire theatre, regardless of political beliefs or personal opinions, was enthralled and united by Prime Minister Harper.

Although Harper insists he had no idea his performance would create such a reaction from media and people around the world (the video of his performance is now the fifth most popular video of all time on YouTube, less than a week after it was first posted), the performance was a genius move on Harper’s part. We all tend to view politicians as separate from us “regular” beings; we elevate politicians to a different level not only because we elected them but because we need to see them as separate from the common folk. We need to see every politician as a non-human so that it is easier for us to not only let them guide us but also so we can easily blame them when things go wrong. Many people openly voice their opinion that Harper is, in fact, some android from another planet, not flesh-and-blood like us. And this makes it a lot harder to like him, and all politicians. We don’t relate to Harper, so how could he possibly relate to us or understand what we need? By performing an iconic song popular with all generations, Harper showed everyone a side of him few people get to see. Harper humanized himself, in a way that seemed neither calculating nor manipulative, even if it was meant to be. As one of my friends said about Harper’s performance, “He looks amused by this thing us humans call music.”

Harper’s performance might have been a stunt to con us all into liking him and the Conservative party, in case of an election in the near future, or simply because he is expected to call four by-elections in November. After the Conservatives lost their seat in the Calgary-Glenmore by-election this past September, the Conservatives can’t be sure of easily winning any seats. Still, Harper’s motive for doing a musical number at a fancy event isn’t really what’s important. After all, it was Harper’s wife, who happens to be the honourary chairwoman of the National Youth and Education Trust fundraiser gala, who suggested he perform at the gala. Maybe Harper’s motive for singing was as simple as wanting to please his wife. Maybe it was an evil plan devised by a robot to convince us of his humanity. Or maybe Harper simply thought it would be a fun thing to do.

Other Conservative politicians, especially those whose leadership is being questioned (ahem, Premier Stelmach), should take a page from Harper’s handbook and try to find ways to show us their fun, human sides. Before, I could never picture what Harper was like when he wasn’t being a politician. Now, I can easily see him kicking back with a beer (okay, maybe a glass of wine) in front of the TV, watching a hockey game or a Beatle’s concert DVD. I can picture him taking piano lessons from some mean, old lady down the street at the age of six. I can believe that he feels bad about mistakes he has made while in power and that he wants to change things for the better. I can picture him winning a majority government. Whether he deserves it or not, I’m not sure. But anyone with the balls to pull off that performance after only a week of practice deserves our respect