Bob, Africa, and Me
Yesterday in the g2 section of the Guardian, the cover article was entitled What Did 2005 Achieve for Africa, by Bob Geldolf.
I am proposing it should be changed to, Bob Geldolf, Me, Myself and I, by Africa. or What Did Bob Geldolf Achieve for 2005, by Bob Geldolf
Facts
27 : The number of times Africa or African is used in the Article, not including the title or bylines.
33: The number of times "I" is used in the article, not including mine, my or me (which would have increased the difference materially), title or bylines.
There are bits of the article that resound with me. That poverty and the concept of impoverished Africa is a product of politics seems an honest description of the situation; accordingly the problem to be solved fully needs to be dealt with politically. Mere sending in money by the people of the First world countries to Save the Children will not result in the sea change that is needed to lift Africa out of its Third world status.
The objection for me is the tone of the article which is set by the copious mentions of "I" not to mention the plethora of "me"s. All praise Messiah Geldolf. It upsets me because I was brought up with the cultural assumption (and i use those words carefully because it has to do with culture, and because it is an assumption and i acknowledge that it is open to argument) that to revel and promote yourself whilst doing a good deed is a conflict of interest.
Basically, why is doing the world a favour so in need of publicity which benefits you (ie BG) and not the object of change? And is moving the problem into the political domain through your status as pop culture celebrity mutually exclusive from also digging into your own pockets and assisting at your personal expense?
And his answers to the critics on why the initial Live8 lineup had no representation from musicians of African descent was obfuscatory and illogical. red herring anyone?
So, in my opinion the following are true: Africa is fucked up, the fuck up can be cured with sufficient and powerful political decisions supported by the support of the citizens of the first world and Geldolf is a good hearted guy that can't divorce himself of a massive ego and need for attention.
here endeth the rant.
I am proposing it should be changed to, Bob Geldolf, Me, Myself and I, by Africa. or What Did Bob Geldolf Achieve for 2005, by Bob Geldolf
Facts
27 : The number of times Africa or African is used in the Article, not including the title or bylines.
33: The number of times "I" is used in the article, not including mine, my or me (which would have increased the difference materially), title or bylines.
There are bits of the article that resound with me. That poverty and the concept of impoverished Africa is a product of politics seems an honest description of the situation; accordingly the problem to be solved fully needs to be dealt with politically. Mere sending in money by the people of the First world countries to Save the Children will not result in the sea change that is needed to lift Africa out of its Third world status.
The objection for me is the tone of the article which is set by the copious mentions of "I" not to mention the plethora of "me"s. All praise Messiah Geldolf. It upsets me because I was brought up with the cultural assumption (and i use those words carefully because it has to do with culture, and because it is an assumption and i acknowledge that it is open to argument) that to revel and promote yourself whilst doing a good deed is a conflict of interest.
Basically, why is doing the world a favour so in need of publicity which benefits you (ie BG) and not the object of change? And is moving the problem into the political domain through your status as pop culture celebrity mutually exclusive from also digging into your own pockets and assisting at your personal expense?
And his answers to the critics on why the initial Live8 lineup had no representation from musicians of African descent was obfuscatory and illogical. red herring anyone?
So, in my opinion the following are true: Africa is fucked up, the fuck up can be cured with sufficient and powerful political decisions supported by the support of the citizens of the first world and Geldolf is a good hearted guy that can't divorce himself of a massive ego and need for attention.
here endeth the rant.
posted by miss goLondon at 12:45 PM
1 Comments:
I know, I know but........he's just the kind of stubborn arse that can see this sort of thing through.....so I kind of forgive his self publicising
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