Africa's getting a lot of love in the press these days! i think it's
awesome... and it's about time too! part of what we're working on
with the SMT project is to change perceptions around how people see
Africa. it seems we're getting a lot of help! The Media's jumping on
the Africa band wagon, the G8 and western countries are all up in it
too. it's hard to tell what efforts are authentic, and which ones are
about promoting massive self interest. i spoke to someone last week
who felt that Gordon Brown's "i love africa" campaign is really much
about positioning himself as someone capable of showing global
leadership as a prime-minister in waiting, to demonstrate that he can
forge global coalitions and so on. Someone else also commented at how
disgusted they were with the whole Live 8 thing. 'how can they have a
series of concerts for africa and not include african artists or have
any concert on the continent itself?' they said... they've now booked
a concert for johannesburg too, but in what seems like an
afterthought. the debt cancellation seems like a good idea though i
must confess i haven't looked over the details of the agreements that
are canceling this "debt" (though if we were to really do a toll of
who owes you, you might find that africa is actually owed trillions
of dollars... but that's for another day). i still argue for more
trade over aid. if they reduced aid by 80% and increased trade, fair
trade, by 20% i think the differences would be incredible. i'm
willing to be challenged on that!
africans have to take a central position on the stage that is
defining their future, and not leave it up to everyone else to do so
on non-african terms. it just won't work that way. so, some progress
is being made, but as africans, we need to step up and change how
that future is being re-defined!
the
the
Sweet Mother Tour online community is growing with lots of youth
from around the world connecting around some of these questions, and
soon we hope to have more discussions and even projects launched that
relate to this issue.
it's incredible how much needs to be done though :-)
this article below was in yesterday's boston metro
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From http://parex.metro.st/ftp/20050620_1000005.pdf
Respect for Africa
From Live 8 to MTV, all things African are the hot topic
A recently added Live 8 concert in Johannesburg will take place on
July 2. Visit www.live8live.com for more information. By MALCOLM VENABLE
WHEN BOB GELDOF announced plans for the Live 8 concerts that
will benefit Africa, his humanitarian gesture a rock star cause
celebré for decades only added to the mounting attention. Africa
has been getting lately. In spite of its philanthropic need, the
continent is becoming less of a charity case and, increasingly the
subject of several trends inpop culture. From Dave Chappelles
endorsement of South Africa as the post meltdown hotspot, to
MTVsrecent pan-African launch, to even fashion runways, Africa is
suddenly seeing a newfound respect for its cultural offerings.
MTV GOES EVEN MORE GLOBAL
Execs at MTV are hoping that the new pan-African satellite MTV base
in Johannesburg will reap the benefits of the Africa buzz. MTV base
celebrates the diversity of vibrant music culture across Africa,
offering rich, creative inspiration for MTVs global network, MTV
International President Bill Roedy says in a statement.
VIDEO TREATMENT
Hip-hop is rediscovering Africa too, albeit in a much different way.
In his video for Pimpin All Over the World, Ludacris raps about
curvy women, caviar and vodka with cranberry while riding elephants
and watching South African natives perform traditional dances. The
videos message is somewhat mixed and far from the Native Tongues
pro- Africa movement in the 90s, yet breaks ground as the first
American rap video shot on the continent. People just think its all
jungles and flies and poverty, says Ludacris. I had to show the
beautiful side of what Africa as a whole is all about.
FASHION FORWARD
Perhaps the most obvious example of the mainstreams interest in
Africa are the collections churned out by fashion houses such as YSL
Rive Gauche, Marni and Gucci for spring and summer. Even with the
accessories the wooden bangles, the layering of necklaces, the huge
gold earrings that is straight African driven, says Glamour
magazine fashion expert Daisy Lewellyn.
A LASTING INFLUENCE?
Despite its prominence, will Africas current moment in the sun fade,
linger or initiate social change? Its hard to say, says Ballman,
who is white. It could just be the flavor of the month, but
increased exposure can lead people to examine broader issues in
African culture.
