The sea of humanity that maybe made a difference.
The show was well worth the trip, Bon Jovi, Kanye West and Will Smith got the crowds going and they didn’t slow down until Sarah McLachlan announced it was nap time later in the day.
Some of the highlights included Rita and Stephen Marley joining the Black Eyed Peas on stage to sing Stand Up and the entire crowd singing the theme song to Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Although, I feel the concert goers owe the city of Philadelphia an apology for all the litter. We tried to throw away everything we could (and by we and I mean my sister and I actually made the effort to walk to the trash can and toss things into them) but I will admit that I may have left an orange rind on the ground, forgotten as the crowd shifted.
I know its hard to tell, but that’s Rita and Stephen Marley singing with the Black Eyed Peas.
Relieving debt and getting a bunch of people together to show just how serious we are about giving Africa and hand up are great ideas. Its also why we have rallies and marches and people gathering to sit in public spaces with signs saying clever things. Here’s my thing, getting people to do this by bribing them with a free concert makes the act in and of itself A. No effort on our part because we’re getting something out of it and B. The sort of thing that makes me wonder how much we as a group really mean it. I’ll be honest, I went partly to say I was there and partly to see some of the people playing. Oh, yeah and because we’re raising awareness. Sure, I’ve signed the petition at one.org, and I wear a white wrist band and every time I get a form letter from one of my representatives I half expect it to begin, “Dear Ms. Donelson, You understand you’re not my only constituent, right?” But, I also know that economics are complex and bizarre. Saying, “Sure thing, you don’t have to pay us back,” has its consequences just like saying, “Nope, we want it all back now,” would. I can’t pretend I even begin to understand how it works, I just know that infrastructure and education are things that are ridiculously helpful and that they are also things you don’t fund when you’re busy trying to scramble out from under a loan. I also know that if it were as simple as forgiving a debt, we’d have already done it because it would make us look like the nice guy and let’s be honest, we could use a little favorable publicity.
Article comments
1 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Excellent Katharine. one of the best things i've read regardin Live 8.
2 - Temple Stark
Wow. Stunning and the best essay I've seen on Live8 so far.
At least reading around it got people to thinking of the poor around this world again.
Ken Edwards makes a good point about the $1 or $2 donation. The only thing I can think of is that was the donation than most people might think they've already done their part. Now many people are left wonderng - so now what can I really do?
idealistic I know. But damnit we need a return of a good dose of idealism.
3 - John Mather
U.S was better than the U.K(snoozefest with one bland band after another)R.E.M aside,and maybe Madonna.Will it change anything? Unlikely.What on earth was Rob Thomas babbling about? "every day in Africa there are two 9/11's...things as bad as 9/11.This song is nothing to do with that!!" Brain in gear before opening mouth.Not smooth at all...
4 - Katharine Donelson
Thank you, Aaron and Temple.
As for what to do, I'm open to suggestions. Fair trade coffee? Solar cars? Hemp pants? I don't know.
John Mather, I honestly have no idea what Rob Thomas was babbling about. I find him to be so musically enthralling I was actually reading while he was on stage.
5 - RJ
Debt-relief and financial aid should be tied to significant progress towards democracy and liberty - and we should be unafraid to cut off this funding if the rulers of some countries are not making a real effort in those directions.
6 - SphinxMontreal
I love the line the concerts are to raise awareness of the problem. What hogwash! Which adult with half a brain is not aware of this problem?
Funny how none of these artists have stepped forward and told us how we can help solve this problem. Obviosuly, either they don't know, don't care or know that the situation is hopeless.
Unfortunately, making money on other people's misfortune has become a very disgusting part of human nature. To change this, you have to change the entire global economic system, which is not happening anytime soon.
7 - Masinissa
What a sad day. Live 8, first I do not need a less than high school graduate telling me what to think about poverty or Africa. But what is more insulting is these over paid immature whiney do nothings think they can tell me that the debt these so called African leaders have amassed should be forgiven and I am the one to pay for it. Well what I say is put down the crack pipe and listen up,. The answer is not NO but HELL NO. I want Bob Geldof to put his money where his big fat mouth is flapping. I say Bobby, you first, lead the way -You- adopt the American Express balance of President Levy Mwanawasa of Zambia. If you think that is too much then consider this, with the balance paid off he will be off to Monaco to gamble with the aid money, Next off to France to buy some overpriced Alpha Jets. (ya, ever noticed that there are NO US F16s or F15s sold into sub- Saharan Africa, hum-mm wonder why? when you figure out the answer, get back to me) Then finally President Levy Mwanawasa will make a stop off in China to arrange for some more AK-47s and his favorite the all plastic Chinese antipersonnel land mine. So, Bobby take me off your mailing list and IF you ever figure it out its the corruption stupid - they even have words for it. In Gambia, corruption is called "MASLAHA". In Sudan corruption is called "KITU KIDOGO" In Nigeria, corruption has been institutionalized. If you don't take a bribe you are a fool. Honest people are called fools. In hospital people die because doctors steal drugs and sent them to their private hospitals. It is everywhere. Mr. Geldof, STOP corruption and bribery first then and have your people call my people and we may do lunch.
Masinissa
King of Numidia
8 - Victor Plenty
Thanks for a view from the audience, Katharine. This is the best piece I've seen written about the whole Live 8 experience. Far more thought-provoking than anything the organizers' publicity machine has gotten as far out as my little corner of the world.