Jesuskomplex

Precis när Antropofagi ställer frågan are we addicted to the struggle or committed to success, så dimper det här ner. Bob Geldof undrar återigen om Afrikaner vet vad jul är – detta trots att den kristna befolkningen i Nigeria är tre gånger större än den i England och Wales, enligt analytikern Abdullahi Halakhe.

Hela videon är förresten härligt anakronistisk. Kolla här. Det är även intressant att läsa Fuse ODG:s redogörelse för varför han valde att hoppa av projektet.

"I pointed out to Geldof the lyrics I did not agree with, such as the lines 'Where a kiss of love can kill you and there’s death in every tear', and 'There is no peace and joy in west Africa this Christmas'. For the past four years I have gone to Ghana at Christmas for the sole purpose of peace and joy. So for me to sing these lyrics would simply be a lie.

In truth, my objection to the project goes beyond the offensive lyrics. I, like many others, am sick of the whole concept of Africa – a resource-rich continent with unbridled potential – always being seen as diseased, infested and poverty-stricken. In fact, seven out of 10 of the world’s fastest growing economies are in Africa.

[...]

That image of poverty and famine is extremely powerful psychologically. With decades of such imagery being pumped out, the average westerner is likely to donate £2 a month or buy a charity single that gives them a nice warm fuzzy feeling; but they are much less likely to want to go on holiday to, or invest in, Africa. If you are reading this and haven’t been to Africa, ask yourself why.

[...]

I hope from the bottom of my heart that the disease can be eradicated in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. But though shock tactics and negative images may raise money in the short term, the long-term damage will take far longer to heal."