Well we saw some amazing performances at the Live 8 concerts: the Sgt. Pepper collaboration with Paul McCartney and U2, Will Smith gettin' jiggy with it like no one else can, the Pink Floyd reunion, Jay-Z and Linkin' Park mashing it up, Stevie Wonder and friends, Green Day's Queen tribute and many many more. Even Madonna brought her A game.
Sprinkled among the terrific performances the organizers disseminated concise and cogent educational points about debt relief, fair trade and medical realities of children born in the poorest countries. But, the most educational and in my opinion action-inspiring moment, came when Madonna was clearly moved and had to visibly fight back the tears when she embraced Birhan Woldu, who appeared as a child close to death in videos at the original Live Aid concerts. Woldu, now a beautiful young woman, is a living testament to how we can impact peoples lives for the better when we act in a smart and compassionate manner.
The real stars of the day though were the people who came out to all the shows or participated online. Around the world, millions attended the concerts and signed the One campaign's petition to world leaders asking for action. The celebrities themselves recognize that it is the people who have the power to affect change by educating themselves and putting pressure on the politicians to take some simple steps that can yield enormous and worthy results. Not everyone can be saved, but if the people who were touched by the shows take their new knowledge and call, write, visit, fax, or email their leaders then more children like Birhan Woldu can have a fair shot at living a full and healthy life.
The Live 8 events have already gotten the attention of key world leaders. Commenting on the music and art communities' involvement with these issues, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said:
It is interesting that the so-called sort of rock stars have got behind this because they have approached it in a very practical and responsible way. Bob Geldof was part of the Commission for Africa which was the report that took as many months to write with representatives from the wealthy countries and African countries, and we put it all together. He hasn't simply gone out there and paraded his conscience and said it is terrible, now do something about it. He probably knows as much about this problem as anybody else in the world at the moment. And he has worked at it, and the others, Bono and people, are serious about it, and they are not grandstanding either. They are not just out there saying give us perfection and if you don't you have failed. They are saying look here are practical things that we can do, now let us try and mobilise support behind it.
Article comments
1 - dietdoc
Jeff writes: "So, here's hoping the other G8 participants heard the message shouted loud and clear yesterday and act, not as politicians, but as leaders and make history by helping to improve and extend the lives of millions of children around the world."
Reply: Alas, such is the stuff dreams are made of. The plight of the starving and poor, particularly in Africa, remains a pox on the house of the "civilized" nations of the world. While I have faint hopes for remedy, I harbor stronger doubts that the status quo will ever change.
"What's in it for me?" is a question whose answer is seldom: only what is right.
Ron
2 - JD
Ron I appreciate your thoughts. I'm thinking though that we can answer the "what's in it for me?" question two ways. Yes, its doing the right thing and that is always in everyone's self-ingterest. But, its also an investment in possible trading and security partners down the line. The more people participating in the global marketplace the better. And, these fragile states are risks to become terrorist havens. We can nip that in the bud now and also create economic allies that down the line may be able to contribute assets to the [actual] war on terror.
3 - Marc
The whole world spoke as one?
Since when is the "whole world" defined as a bunch of celebs? The vast majority of whom are only interested giving a public face to their latest CD or concert tour and couldn't name three countries in Africa if their life depended on it.
While I agree Bono has studied the issue he has consistently failed to put his money where his mouth is, in short he's all talk and no action.
And this: "Around the world, millions attended the concerts and signed the One campaign's petition to world leaders asking for action."
Should read, "Around the world, millions attended the concerts and signed a petition asking the African nations to stop the corruption, overthrow the despotic governments and 'learn to fish vice asking for fish.'"
4 - Aaman
Well, the mp3s and torrents have hit the groups, sites, etc. - leastways good music got produced - even if the end result isn't going to be anywhere near the wishful thinking of the glitterati
5 - SphinxMontreal
Right on Marc! The whole world spoke as one?
Who gave these self-absorbed posers the right to speak for others - let alone the whole world? The more albums everyone buys from these freaks, the more shit they're going to try and shove down our throats.
6 - Victor Plenty
I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony.
There's so much that we share.
It's time we're aware, it's a small world after all.
This message brought to you by the Organized Universally Reformed Bombastic International Genetically Holistic Intellectual Property Subverters (OURBIGHIPS).
7 - Jeff
you're right - I admit it. The whole world didn't participate. Its part of a conspiracy to make people think the whole world did. But, you've busted us!
People have been saved before - we've seen actual evidence of it - and more will be saved this time. Have a little faith my friend!
And, if you read what I wrote I said the real heroes were not the stars.
8 - DJRadiohead
The whole world spoke as one... but did anybody listen? I think the only thing people really listened to was the music (and that is a shame in some cases). A lot of people digitally signed a petition I doubt most of them read. Maybe that passes for listening these days.
9 - Disgusted
It was revolting the way Madonna had that Ethiopian girl on stage with her just to get her leathery mug on all the front pages. You can really see the smugness in her expression in most photos taken of that moment. What a pig (or as ELton John would say, a "rude, vile" pig.