Wannabe African-messiah Bono has attracted angry reactions to his statement that “Whenever you see Africans saying they don't want aid it's pretty clear it's not their sisters, brothers, cousins who are dying". Personally I don't see this as a hugely controversial thing to say, but it is nevertheless yet another example of why tactless celebrities shouldn't go wading into political dialogue they don't fully understand.
Essex-based charity A3 (African AIDS Action) representative Selasie responded: “I have lost my niece, sister-in-law and 47 other relatives to AIDS - my brother and sister and 54 other family members are HIV positive, so I find Bono’s comments naive and insulting. But as an Ethiopian I have witnessed with my own eyes how aid and western charities have created a dependency culture in Africa, fuelled wars and benefited corrupt dictators.”
I won't be the first blogger to say this, but Bono, please, please just shhhh.
Wednesday, 2 January 2008
Bono In Hot Water Over Africa Comments
Posted by Theo at 20:02
Labels: Breaking News, Comment
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3 comments:
I disagree with this post, I am sorry to say. Bono was right in his assessment. Britain and the world has just gone PC crazy. What he was saying, which admittedly he did not say specifically enough, was that the africans who say they do not want aid, in general are those who do not need it ie they are from a higher class in society. Its not about dependancy theory, although this is a problem. People like Bono actually understand that they need to generate provide aid/funds, but its not his fault that these funds are then mismanaged in a non-sustainable and non-developmental way/strategy. But I do agree he could use a bit more tact when speaking in this particular example... consult ur pr team before speaking mate. But it didnt take too much reading into what he said, to understand what he meant.
Fair point well made Chris. I think one of the problems here is the sheer scope of what he said. It would be better if Bono was actually responding to a particular comment made by a particular person, but the fact he makes such a general point about such a vast and complicated continent betrays a certain lack of intelligence...
One problem with the generality is that it also confuses Africa's relationship with international development aid (and its strings) with philanthropic humanitarian aid. Some years ago in Kenya, I was relishing an opportunity to talk to Cyril Ramaphosa about the way forward for South Africa, and was struck by his comment that "if we allow the World Bank in, we will fail. We have to generate our own business and our own economic growth". They did.
But people fall through the net in any country of the world, and Bono is just one of those who encourage people to help people across international boundaries. I'd only worry if this particular musician decided to follow the example of other performers around the world and cross over into full on politics.
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