Monday, May 28, 2007

"This is not about charity. It's about justice and equality."

Say what you want about celebrity activistism, Bono has created incredible change and almost single-handedly brought extreme poverty and the AIDS crisis in Africa to public conciousness. I think the most important thing he has done is to tell the world this does not have to happen. We can end this. We have the power... and responsibility.

Bono is an impassioned and intelligent speaker. This video is his powerful and challenging acceptance speech for the Chairman's Award, awarded by the NAACP "in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service."



You can learn more about the issues plaguing Africa at the DATA (Debt AIDS Trade Africa) website.

Canada and other G8 countries have yet to follow through on promises made in 2005, having reached only 10% of amount pledged for development assistance to Africa. You still have a few more days before the 2007 G8 meetings to send an email to Stephen Harper through Make Poverty History.

8 comments:

holly said...

mitch/mel...
thanks so much for posting the whole bono acceptance speech. i'd only seen part of it. i'm sitting here again, in tears. humbled and challenged to do something about it.

thank you.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing that Melanie. So moving and motivating.

Brett Nissen said...

great blog man. i'm impressed you've put a lot of work into it. see you the first week of july hopefully at thePool that thursday night.

Anonymous said...

I hope you don't mind... I stole this clip and have posted it several places around the facebook and on the web.

this is important stuff!

Anonymous said...

Mind? Of course not! It's not my property to begin with, but I agree that the more people see it, the better. Share away, friend.

Anonymous said...

So does that mean I can steal it too? :D

Anonymous said...

I love this guy, thanks for making me aware of him Mel, and his cause. Sure is motivation to participate.

Anonymous said...

It is a beautiful day, isn't it?