The Mixed Blessing of Bono's Plea for Africa by Steve Watters on 07/03/2007 at 11:14 AM

The last time U2 played in Denver, I was excited to take my wife to a concert. After seeing the ZooTV and Elevation tour, I was surprised to see how much the Vertigo tour focused on Africa. It was obvious Bono had formally blended his passions for music and Africa as he spent so much of his stage time talking about it and made it such an emphasis in the merchandising area. Most telling was his spotlight on Africa during the song "Where the Streets Have no Name" -- often considered the climax of a U2 concert.

Since that concert, it's been difficult to turn a corner without seeing Bono advocating in some way for Africa -- especially among Christians. When Bill Hybels featured him during last year's Willow Leadership Summit, I was impressed at the maturity Bono seemed to show in his growing knowledge of how to give aid intelligently -- instead of just handing it to thugs who keep it from the people who need it.

But is there still more for Bono -- and other people who care about Africa -- to learn about the best ways to help? In an article titled "Africans to Bono: 'For God's sake please stop!'" Jennifer Brea talks about the pros and cons of the massive amount of attention and resources now being directed to the plight of Africa.

In her article, Jennifer describes an interaction she witnessed at a recent conference focused on helping Africa:

These speakers were selected to support a thesis, painfully obvious but somehow radical in this age: Africa won't be "saved" by aid, but by the ingenuity and determination of its own people.

Andrew Mwenda, an outspoken Ugandan journalist who was jailed last year for criticizing President Museveni, lambasted the Western world's "international cocktail of good intentions" for robbing Africa of its future. After all, what country has ever gotten rich from aid? What Africa needs is investment.

Near the front of the darkened auditorium a white man with orange sunglasses stood to object. It was Bono! The audience (myself included), exuberant in the presence of celebrity, craned their necks to catch a glimpse. Aid saved Ireland from the potato famine, Bono declared.

In Bono's mind, help for Africa should look a lot like the Marshall Plan that rebuilt Europe after World War II. The article shows, however, how that approach is not as good of a fit for Africa's challenges as approaches focused on spurring internal solutions and entrepreneurial imagination among Africans. Jennifer Brea summarizes her article this way: "Here's a radical idea: if we really want to help, why not ask Africans, not their governments, how they perceive the challenges before them, the dreams they have for the future, and the resources they think they need to realize them?"

What have you observed to be working or not working over the past couple of years of celebrity focus on Africa?

HT: Dr. Al Mohler

The Mixed Blessing of Bono's Plea for Africa by Steve Watters on 07/03/2007 at 11:14 AM

The last time U2 played in Denver, I was excited to take my wife to a concert. After seeing the ZooTV and Elevation tour, I was surprised to see how much the Vertigo tour focused on Africa. It was obvious Bono had formally blended his passions for music and Africa as he spent so much of his stage time talking about it and made it such an emphasis in the merchandising area. Most telling was his spotlight on Africa during the song "Where the Streets Have no Name" -- often considered the climax of a U2 concert.

Since that concert, it's been difficult to turn a corner without seeing Bono advocating in some way for Africa -- especially among Christians. When Bill Hybels featured him during last year's Willow Leadership Summit, I was impressed at the maturity Bono seemed to show in his growing knowledge of how to give aid intelligently -- instead of just handing it to thugs who keep it from the people who need it.

But is there still more for Bono -- and other people who care about Africa -- to learn about the best ways to help? In an article titled "Africans to Bono: 'For God's sake please stop!'" Jennifer Brea talks about the pros and cons of the massive amount of attention and resources now being directed to the plight of Africa.

In her article, Jennifer describes an interaction she witnessed at a recent conference focused on helping Africa:

These speakers were selected to support a thesis, painfully obvious but somehow radical in this age: Africa won't be "saved" by aid, but by the ingenuity and determination of its own people.

Andrew Mwenda, an outspoken Ugandan journalist who was jailed last year for criticizing President Museveni, lambasted the Western world's "international cocktail of good intentions" for robbing Africa of its future. After all, what country has ever gotten rich from aid? What Africa needs is investment.

Near the front of the darkened auditorium a white man with orange sunglasses stood to object. It was Bono! The audience (myself included), exuberant in the presence of celebrity, craned their necks to catch a glimpse. Aid saved Ireland from the potato famine, Bono declared.

In Bono's mind, help for Africa should look a lot like the Marshall Plan that rebuilt Europe after World War II. The article shows, however, how that approach is not as good of a fit for Africa's challenges as approaches focused on spurring internal solutions and entrepreneurial imagination among Africans. Jennifer Brea summarizes her article this way: "Here's a radical idea: if we really want to help, why not ask Africans, not their governments, how they perceive the challenges before them, the dreams they have for the future, and the resources they think they need to realize them?"

What have you observed to be working or not working over the past couple of years of celebrity focus on Africa?

HT: Dr. Al Mohler

Comments

[1. Ellie said the following at 11:55 AM on Jul 3:]

1

I think a moment of glory for Africa in the last few years was how Uganda took down its AIDS rate - from being the highest on the continent to one of the lowest. This was the result of initiative that came from within the country.

I also happen to highly admire Bono, and think that we should do all we can to help out - I have pretty low patience for those who say to just back off. But it should be in accordance with the desires of the people, partnering WITH them and realizing that in the end, they are the ones who will make it work - well-timed assistance going towards enabling progress.

[2. Melinda said the following at 3:17 PM on Jul 3:]

2

I think like you said in the article there is a good side and a bad side to Bono focusing so much on the plight of Africa. At least people are being made aware of the problem and not ignoring it like we have with other events in the past.
However if Bono's idea of helping out is giving money to fix the problem and not finding the root of the issue then to me the money is being thrown down the toilet.
It's like the saying goes if you give a man a fish than you feed him for a day, but if you teach him how to fish you feed him for a lifetime. That's what people need to recognize, that you need to be investing not just money, but your skills and time in how to help people rise above their circumstances. Donate money to help buy water purification systems or buy better farming equipment or educate people on preventing pests that will destroy their crops, don't just throw money at them.
I know that celebrities like Bono might mean well, but they should take some of their money and research on how to help people with a long term affect.

[3. Justice said the following at 3:54 PM on Jul 3:]

3

I think it is unfair to say he is only asking for money for Africa. I went to the Urbana conference where he spoke to us via video. He didn't speak about giving money, but about making a difference. Forinstance, Africa will need 30,000 teachers in the next 4-5 years because so many are dying.

Zambia has 1.2 orphans, 10% of their population.

It is because of World Vision that I made a vow then to move there and stay if God called me to, whether I wanted to go or not. Microenterprise Development is part of the solution, spiritual reformation is, moving their and giving your life to make a difference is another way.

There are some African leaders who only ask America for AID as well, even in Uganda.

[4. cn said the following at 10:27 PM on Jul 3:]

4

i just got home from a 4 month mission commitment in west africa. the country i was serving in is predominantly muslim. one of the biggest lessons the Lord taught me while i was there is how much we are truly a family and how much the believers there need us. one of the bases i was on was a youth center that provided housing for high schoolers (who could be anywhere from early teens to early twenties) who been persecuted by their families for following Jesus. they turned down great job offers and opportunities to go to international universities in the name of Jesus and denial of islam. Some had been abused physically and emotionally. They are young and bravely walking in obedience. Where their families have denied them, they need their new spiritual families to build them up and love them. ;)
my perception of the problem while i was physically experiencing being in africa (my 4 months hardly makes me an expert... i'm well aware) is that they need both aid and investment. i won't dare speak against any believer who is boldly going after the hearts and needs of "the least of these" and encouraging others to do so as well. if any of you have an opportunity to go serve for any amount of time, i'd definitely encourage you go.

[5. Laura said the following at 4:05 AM on Jul 4:]

5

I'm currently living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and have been working in Africa on-and-off for the last 9 years. People here are very appreciative of the efforts of anyone who draws attention to their neglected crisis. In a situation in which 4 million people have already died, and another 1200 (mostly children) die each day, it's unconscionable to think of cutting off aid.

To say that donations only encourage dependency is a bit of a logical fallacy because it doesn't take into account how aid is actually used. I don't believe it's fair to lump Bono's efforts with those that just dump money into Africa. The best donors (I would include Bono's groups and the Clinton Foundation among them) work with existing local NGO's and creative local leaders who are already doing good work and who just need some financial support. These projects are sustainable, culturally-appropriate, and vastly more effective than the old style of expatriate-driven aid and development work.

I agree with Brea that Africa won't be saved by aid, but that doesn't mitigate the need for aid - it just means that there's a need for creative use of aid dollars, which I think is what she is trying to point out. Put another way: it's a lot easier to sit in the United States or Beijing or even Arusha and argue that aid creates dependency than it is to tell a mother that her child can't be treated for a disease because she is poor. When you're in that situation, most theories don't really work.

[6. Leah said the following at 5:50 AM on Jul 5:]

6

This is a tricky, border-line issue. Aid is good, and yes, it needs to be administered carefully. But at the same time, Africa must not come to depend on it. My boyfriend is from South Africa and has witnessed not only South African problems, but the problems of surrounding nations. The biggest problem of African countries is that they don't know how to govern themselves- either that, or the government is corrupt (*cough*ZIMBABWE*cough*). Africa has some of the most fertile land in the world. South Africa has the biggest diamonds in the world. Looking at their natural resources, these coutries should be some of the world's richest. Why aren't they? Because those resources are not being used properly, infrastructure is inadequate, law enforcement is near non-existant, governments are not worried about their people but about their own pockets.

There is a difference between Africa and Ireland. In Ireland, their natural resource- potato- was stripped from them. They had nothing to eat or make money from. Africa has food and resources to make money from. It just doesn't know how to use it.

Aid is necessary while African governments are so messed up. The African people will not get proper food, healthcare, protection or careers until their governments clean up their act. Aid will not fix the problems. Aid will simply help carry Africans over until the problems *are* fixed.

[7. Natasha said the following at 1:22 PM on Jul 5:]

7

Anyone heard this song from Jars of Clay? I thought it was relevant to this discussion. Here are the lyrics:

"Light Gives Heat"

Catch the rain empty hands
Save the children from their lands
Wash the darkness from their skin
Heroes from the west
We don't know you, we know best
This is not a test

You treat me like I'm blind
Setting fires around houses on the hill
But light gives heat
You segregate my mind
Burning crosses from your fears
The light gives heat

It's not the way to light their way
Boys in holes in empty fields
Oh, how good it feels
Lower-class, and understate
Empty promise, empty plate

You treat me like I'm blind
Setting fires around houses on the hill
Light gives heat
You segregate my mind
Burning crosses from your fears, your fears
But light gives heat, gives heat

You treat me like I'm blind
Setting fires around houses on the hill
Light gives heat
You segregate my mind
Burning crosses from your fears
But light gives heat

Will you teach us how to love?
To see the things you see
Walk the road you walked
Feel the pain that you feel
At your feet I kneel,
I want to see you shine
See your light not mine
'Cause light gives heat
Your light gives heat

Any thoughts anyone?

[1. Ellie said the following at 11:55 AM on Jul 3:]

1

I think a moment of glory for Africa in the last few years was how Uganda took down its AIDS rate - from being the highest on the continent to one of the lowest. This was the result of initiative that came from within the country.

I also happen to highly admire Bono, and think that we should do all we can to help out - I have pretty low patience for those who say to just back off. But it should be in accordance with the desires of the people, partnering WITH them and realizing that in the end, they are the ones who will make it work - well-timed assistance going towards enabling progress.

[2. Melinda said the following at 3:17 PM on Jul 3:]

2

I think like you said in the article there is a good side and a bad side to Bono focusing so much on the plight of Africa. At least people are being made aware of the problem and not ignoring it like we have with other events in the past.
However if Bono's idea of helping out is giving money to fix the problem and not finding the root of the issue then to me the money is being thrown down the toilet.
It's like the saying goes if you give a man a fish than you feed him for a day, but if you teach him how to fish you feed him for a lifetime. That's what people need to recognize, that you need to be investing not just money, but your skills and time in how to help people rise above their circumstances. Donate money to help buy water purification systems or buy better farming equipment or educate people on preventing pests that will destroy their crops, don't just throw money at them.
I know that celebrities like Bono might mean well, but they should take some of their money and research on how to help people with a long term affect.

[3. Justice said the following at 3:54 PM on Jul 3:]

3

I think it is unfair to say he is only asking for money for Africa. I went to the Urbana conference where he spoke to us via video. He didn't speak about giving money, but about making a difference. Forinstance, Africa will need 30,000 teachers in the next 4-5 years because so many are dying.

Zambia has 1.2 orphans, 10% of their population.

It is because of World Vision that I made a vow then to move there and stay if God called me to, whether I wanted to go or not. Microenterprise Development is part of the solution, spiritual reformation is, moving their and giving your life to make a difference is another way.

There are some African leaders who only ask America for AID as well, even in Uganda.

[4. cn said the following at 10:27 PM on Jul 3:]

4

i just got home from a 4 month mission commitment in west africa. the country i was serving in is predominantly muslim. one of the biggest lessons the Lord taught me while i was there is how much we are truly a family and how much the believers there need us. one of the bases i was on was a youth center that provided housing for high schoolers (who could be anywhere from early teens to early twenties) who been persecuted by their families for following Jesus. they turned down great job offers and opportunities to go to international universities in the name of Jesus and denial of islam. Some had been abused physically and emotionally. They are young and bravely walking in obedience. Where their families have denied them, they need their new spiritual families to build them up and love them. ;)
my perception of the problem while i was physically experiencing being in africa (my 4 months hardly makes me an expert... i'm well aware) is that they need both aid and investment. i won't dare speak against any believer who is boldly going after the hearts and needs of "the least of these" and encouraging others to do so as well. if any of you have an opportunity to go serve for any amount of time, i'd definitely encourage you go.

[5. Laura said the following at 4:05 AM on Jul 4:]

5

I'm currently living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and have been working in Africa on-and-off for the last 9 years. People here are very appreciative of the efforts of anyone who draws attention to their neglected crisis. In a situation in which 4 million people have already died, and another 1200 (mostly children) die each day, it's unconscionable to think of cutting off aid.

To say that donations only encourage dependency is a bit of a logical fallacy because it doesn't take into account how aid is actually used. I don't believe it's fair to lump Bono's efforts with those that just dump money into Africa. The best donors (I would include Bono's groups and the Clinton Foundation among them) work with existing local NGO's and creative local leaders who are already doing good work and who just need some financial support. These projects are sustainable, culturally-appropriate, and vastly more effective than the old style of expatriate-driven aid and development work.

I agree with Brea that Africa won't be saved by aid, but that doesn't mitigate the need for aid - it just means that there's a need for creative use of aid dollars, which I think is what she is trying to point out. Put another way: it's a lot easier to sit in the United States or Beijing or even Arusha and argue that aid creates dependency than it is to tell a mother that her child can't be treated for a disease because she is poor. When you're in that situation, most theories don't really work.

[6. Leah said the following at 5:50 AM on Jul 5:]

6

This is a tricky, border-line issue. Aid is good, and yes, it needs to be administered carefully. But at the same time, Africa must not come to depend on it. My boyfriend is from South Africa and has witnessed not only South African problems, but the problems of surrounding nations. The biggest problem of African countries is that they don't know how to govern themselves- either that, or the government is corrupt (*cough*ZIMBABWE*cough*). Africa has some of the most fertile land in the world. South Africa has the biggest diamonds in the world. Looking at their natural resources, these coutries should be some of the world's richest. Why aren't they? Because those resources are not being used properly, infrastructure is inadequate, law enforcement is near non-existant, governments are not worried about their people but about their own pockets.

There is a difference between Africa and Ireland. In Ireland, their natural resource- potato- was stripped from them. They had nothing to eat or make money from. Africa has food and resources to make money from. It just doesn't know how to use it.

Aid is necessary while African governments are so messed up. The African people will not get proper food, healthcare, protection or careers until their governments clean up their act. Aid will not fix the problems. Aid will simply help carry Africans over until the problems *are* fixed.

[7. Natasha said the following at 1:22 PM on Jul 5:]

7

Anyone heard this song from Jars of Clay? I thought it was relevant to this discussion. Here are the lyrics:

"Light Gives Heat"

Catch the rain empty hands
Save the children from their lands
Wash the darkness from their skin
Heroes from the west
We don't know you, we know best
This is not a test

You treat me like I'm blind
Setting fires around houses on the hill
But light gives heat
You segregate my mind
Burning crosses from your fears
The light gives heat

It's not the way to light their way
Boys in holes in empty fields
Oh, how good it feels
Lower-class, and understate
Empty promise, empty plate

You treat me like I'm blind
Setting fires around houses on the hill
Light gives heat
You segregate my mind
Burning crosses from your fears, your fears
But light gives heat, gives heat

You treat me like I'm blind
Setting fires around houses on the hill
Light gives heat
You segregate my mind
Burning crosses from your fears
But light gives heat

Will you teach us how to love?
To see the things you see
Walk the road you walked
Feel the pain that you feel
At your feet I kneel,
I want to see you shine
See your light not mine
'Cause light gives heat
Your light gives heat

Any thoughts anyone?