Is the continent of Africa a mass of starving people ready to pounce on whatever crumbs big name rappers feel like tossing from the proceeds of their new energy drink?
50 Cent seems to think so.
As reported by the Huffington Post, 50 will be using the proceeds from his new energy drink to feed one billion children in Africa.
Dave Algoso who blogs over at Find What Works, has done some of the math on this:
"Given that the entire population of Africa is 1.02 billion, if half of those are kids, I suppose 50 Cent will be feeding about 200% of the children in Africa"
Hmmm. Someone didn't do their homework.
In any case..
Hmmm. Someone didn't do their homework.
In any case..
More than anything, this makes me sad. Are proceeds from an energy drink really the best way that we can show love towards people around the world who are suffering?
Maybe I am just being too cynical. It's an unfortunate truth that things like famine and HIV have to compete with Britney Spears for our attention on the evening news. And 50 Cent is attracting attention towards an important cause.
Maybe I am just being too cynical. It's an unfortunate truth that things like famine and HIV have to compete with Britney Spears for our attention on the evening news. And 50 Cent is attracting attention towards an important cause.
Does it matter how we go about raising money and awareness as long as we are doing something?
Another issue that I have with this campaign is that it promotes the idea that in order to solve hunger, we just need to buy food for people. It makes no issue of the fact that it is a well-accepted truth that there is more than enough food produced in the world--the problem lies in the distribution. Poor people don't have access to that food for a multitude of social, financial and structural problems.
Another issue that I have with this campaign is that it promotes the idea that in order to solve hunger, we just need to buy food for people. It makes no issue of the fact that it is a well-accepted truth that there is more than enough food produced in the world--the problem lies in the distribution. Poor people don't have access to that food for a multitude of social, financial and structural problems.
I personally believe that we can come up with a better way of loving our neighbours. A way that gives respect and dignity to people, instead of portraying them as helpless objects, sitting and waiting for the proceeds of energy drinks to save them.
What do you think? Am I being too harsh and cynical? I would love to know your opinions!
**Disclaimer: Just a reminder to all my readers who subscribed to this blog while I was working with Hope Never Runs Dry in Uganda that I am now using this blog to focus on the broader issues that I learned about during my time there. I'd LOVE to keep you as a reader, however, you can unsubscribe on the main page using the box on the right. No hard feelings.
**Disclaimer: Just a reminder to all my readers who subscribed to this blog while I was working with Hope Never Runs Dry in Uganda that I am now using this blog to focus on the broader issues that I learned about during my time there. I'd LOVE to keep you as a reader, however, you can unsubscribe on the main page using the box on the right. No hard feelings.
3 comments:
I guess this is my first comment on your blog - but I've read every single post! ;-)
My personal opinion is: he's collecting money for a good thing, so his initiative is great! I'm ready for a discussion ;-)
Dominik! I love that you've been reading my blog. That actually makes me really happy!
Do you suppose that he considers his energy drink an extension of himself? Something that he's proud of?
It's the only way I could see this action as human(e) rather than coldly calculating. Still, take the money and run, regardless.
Post a Comment