In a bad extra-long op-ed by Paul Theroux in the New York Times on 12/15/2005, titled the "Rock Star's Burden" (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/15/opinion/15theroux.html) the author goes on a jolly bashing of stars and celebrities who get involved in international causes, be it Africa, Refugees, HIV-AIDS, etc... with a particular mean blow at Bono, "a wealthy rock star with a cowboy hat".
I believe that the fact that a well known singer or actor would be willing to lend their notoriety, fame, time and money for a good cause is one of the greatest 'externalities' of fame.
True, we had the Shirley MacLaine type of 'activist' who goes to Africa to take photos with little cute black kids, and go home, driving the UN coordinators insane... (she is reported to have told a little starving child: "Oh, you are so thin! You must promise me that you will more" to the despair of the UN people accompanying her on the field :)
But there are countless others who are doing a really great job. Roger Moore for UNICEF. Angelina Jolie, Sophia Loren for UNHCR. Mpule Kwelagobe (former Miss Universe -- wow!) and Chinua Achebe (Nigerian Author) for the UN Population Fund. George Clooney, Melanie Griffiths for the FAO. Ronaldo for UNDP. Michael Douglas, Muhammad Ali, Magic Johnson, Luciano Pavarotti as 'Messengers of Peace' for the United Nations.
Plus those who are not with the UN, but are doing a fantastic job nevertheless: Bono, Will Smith, the 'Live 8' group this year, the 'Live Aid' team 20 years ago.. And many others.
Those people have the capacity and, luckily, the will to motivate people for a cause they believe in, and manage to channel the support of their huge base of fans to a good, noble direction.
What can we do to assist them? Perhaps we can answer their call. Join the fight. You know, wear a white wristband, a red ribbon. That's a easy start. Then, perhaps, for those more interested, maybe take a bigger part in the fight -- become activists for the causes that move us. Interested in HIV-AIDS? There are many organisations, hoping for assistance. Poverty? Donating is good -- but how about field work? Join a voluntary organisation digging a well in Malawi, teach english in Tanzania, rebuild a house in Afghanistan.
The United Nations Volunteers (http://www.onlinevolunteering.org/ or http://www.unv.org) have a fantastic database for all kinds of projects everywhere on the planet. And it's open for everyone!!
On a lighter note: I saw Bono last week! He came to our school, and we had a meeting with the man and a short discussion afterwards. It was great to see that he actually knows what he's talking about, and that he has thoughts about it, not just repeating what some United Nations consultant wrote for him :) By the way, his organisation is DATA (Debt AIDS Trade Africa) on http://www.data.org .
Bummer: we were not allowed to take photos. Double bummer: the stupid stupid harvard photographer only managed to get a photo of the tip of my head and my glasses!! (up left on the photo above!!)
:oP But well, at least it proves that I am taller than he is :))
I believe that the fact that a well known singer or actor would be willing to lend their notoriety, fame, time and money for a good cause is one of the greatest 'externalities' of fame.
True, we had the Shirley MacLaine type of 'activist' who goes to Africa to take photos with little cute black kids, and go home, driving the UN coordinators insane... (she is reported to have told a little starving child: "Oh, you are so thin! You must promise me that you will more" to the despair of the UN people accompanying her on the field :)
But there are countless others who are doing a really great job. Roger Moore for UNICEF. Angelina Jolie, Sophia Loren for UNHCR. Mpule Kwelagobe (former Miss Universe -- wow!) and Chinua Achebe (Nigerian Author) for the UN Population Fund. George Clooney, Melanie Griffiths for the FAO. Ronaldo for UNDP. Michael Douglas, Muhammad Ali, Magic Johnson, Luciano Pavarotti as 'Messengers of Peace' for the United Nations.
Plus those who are not with the UN, but are doing a fantastic job nevertheless: Bono, Will Smith, the 'Live 8' group this year, the 'Live Aid' team 20 years ago.. And many others.
Those people have the capacity and, luckily, the will to motivate people for a cause they believe in, and manage to channel the support of their huge base of fans to a good, noble direction.
What can we do to assist them? Perhaps we can answer their call. Join the fight. You know, wear a white wristband, a red ribbon. That's a easy start. Then, perhaps, for those more interested, maybe take a bigger part in the fight -- become activists for the causes that move us. Interested in HIV-AIDS? There are many organisations, hoping for assistance. Poverty? Donating is good -- but how about field work? Join a voluntary organisation digging a well in Malawi, teach english in Tanzania, rebuild a house in Afghanistan.
The United Nations Volunteers (http://www.onlinevolunteering.org/ or http://www.unv.org) have a fantastic database for all kinds of projects everywhere on the planet. And it's open for everyone!!
On a lighter note: I saw Bono last week! He came to our school, and we had a meeting with the man and a short discussion afterwards. It was great to see that he actually knows what he's talking about, and that he has thoughts about it, not just repeating what some United Nations consultant wrote for him :) By the way, his organisation is DATA (Debt AIDS Trade Africa) on http://www.data.org .Bummer: we were not allowed to take photos. Double bummer: the stupid stupid harvard photographer only managed to get a photo of the tip of my head and my glasses!! (up left on the photo above!!)
:oP But well, at least it proves that I am taller than he is :))
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