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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