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June 16, 2005
Singing for Africa: Live 8 and friends
If I wasn't going to be in Edinburgh on July 2, I'd like to be here.
Bob, Bono and co have inevitably come in for criticism for their Live 8 concerts - some of it more legitimate than other...
Charity doesn't work?
Some, despite well-publicised information to the contrary, think that this is just about telling people to give more money, and say that aid does more harm than good. Actually, while it is true that the wrong kind of aid definitely can do harm, well-directed aid saves lives, and gives the much-needed impetus for development. Aid on its own is not enough, but we need more aid, and we need to direct it better.
But this time the concerts are not about giving money. Aid on its own is not enough. This time, they are about mobilising people to speak up for justice. They are calling upon the G8 leaders to act for the poor, not only in more and better aid, but also in Trade justice and Debt relief.
Mere pop stars?
Others have questioned the right of mere pop stars to speak on political issues. Wouldn't it be better if they just dipped into their own millions and shut up? Well, they are certainly vulnerable to criticism. We might not like certain aspects of their morality, or their influence. But Bob, Bono and others do actually give their time and money for Africa. And isn't it better that they use the influence they do have to call people to a concern for justice for the poor, rather than just perpetuate the pursuit of wealth and self-indulgence that is so much at the heart of life today?
Okay, so the message may get over-simplified, distorted, and even somewhat lost in the hype. But at least Africa and poverty are on the agenda - people are talking about it.
African musicians neglected
But one area I think the concerts could have done better is to have actually had better representation from Africa itself. The danger is that we give the image that Africa needs to be "saved" by white guys, whereas we are actually also part of the problem. There are some great African musicians, like Baaba Maal and Salif Keita. Wouldn't it have been great to have had them headlining above U2, Coldplay, and Pink Floyd? Working together, with Africa at the front...
Posted by Keith at June 16, 2005 01:29 PM
Comments
See Africa Calling - Live 8 being held July 2 at Eden Project in Cornwall, England, UK.
http://www.live8.edenbookings.com/
Sorry I have not heard of the African bands you have mentioned. Live 8 is not Live Aid 2. It's aim is highlight world poverty and generate as much publicity as possible surrounding the G8 to reach a potential audience of over 5 billion people. Live Aid reached an audience of 2 billion.
If African bands think they are capable of commanding such an audience and global publicity, they ought to be the ones staging such events.
Posted by: Ingrid at June 27, 2005 01:38 PM
Oh, what rubbish.
The real anwer to third world poverty is removing western trade barriers and removing the despotic governments that run many of these countries.
Band Aid was a crime. It just kept in power, and fed the armies, of a vicious dictator.
Bono, Bob and co. should cut out the self righteous, self serving twaddle and actually think about the issues. Then again, that would be hard work and would give them that nick inner glow they so desperately seek.
Posted by: Troubled Teen at June 28, 2005 09:47 AM
Hi there,
I totally agree with how well directed aid saves lives, and I feel that governments need to be giving substantial amounts of money to overseas aid, in a step to end world poverty. For a long time, however, the problem has been that governments have been pressured to give money out of funds that are needed for things close to home such as education, healthcare and roading etc.
I believe that governments should not be made to dip into these limited tax revenue funds in order to support overseas aid, as I believe there is a better solution.
This solution is for governments to add an extra 0.5% to their current income tax rate which would go straight to overseas aid programs. This way there would be no need for cutbacks on spending close to home, and also no excuse for not giving substantially to overseas aid.
Please visit my URL webpage where I have a full letter explaining this idea, as well as a petition form for people to sign to show their support of this tax increase, which they can pass on to their government. I would really appreciate it if you could also email the letter and petition form on my page to anyone you know who is interested in ending world poverty,
thanks,
alex
Posted by: alex at June 28, 2005 10:38 AM
Hi guys,
Thanks for your comments and ideas. Good to see some discussion going on. I'll be posting more over the coming days on stuff like trade, aid, corruption. Personally, I've seen the positive impact of some of the Band Aid money in Burkina, but think that Bob, Bono and co have a more mature understanding of the issues now - and, as Ingrid says, are more focused on getting a G8 response on wider issues including trade.
Cheers.
Posted by: Keith at June 28, 2005 03:13 PM
