So, I'm back from Dallas and the big Bono event. I must say, I love Bono. But who doesn't? He's funny, smart, prophetic, cool...just a nice guy. On and off the stage. I didn't get to meet him although my friend Todd did. He said he was just a regular guy, like us. The closest I got was when he showed up in his Suburban and got out to greet a few of us fans who were waiting around. This was my first experience with groupies and I can't say that I recommend it. Lots of girls screaming, yelling, pushing and grabbing. Angry, single girls, who were in love with Bono.
Ok, so after my friend Todd's dad introduced Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, she spoke for about 7 minutes about Bono. Pretty boring, senatorial bullshit. It was easy to see that she had probably never talked to him for more than 2 minutes. But it went by fast and the crowd was ready for Bono.
He got up to the podium waited while the crowd gave him a 5 minute standing ovation. He was wearing a black jacket, black shirt, gold tie, trademark sunglasses.
"I don't wear ties for politicians, but i wear them for the people of texas."
For the most part much of his speech was an echo of his speech at the National Prayer Breakfast. He addressed the problems in Africa: The spread of Aids, the astonishing number of orphans, malaria, malnutrition, ridiculous amounts of debt, the systematic genocide happening in Darfur. It was a plea by one of the richest, most famous people in the world on behalf of some of the most insignifcant, poor people in the world.
There were also traces of U2:
Where you live should not decide whether you live or whether you die.
Would you deny for others what you demand for yourself?
He said history will remember our generation according to what we do or don't do about Africa. I think he's right.
He also said he's not a rock star fighting for a 'cause'. Africa is not a 'cause'--it's an emergency. Good to remember. This isn't just something we should consider getting on board with, I would say that it is an imperative for Christians to get involved in whatever way we can--maybe also in ways we don't think we can, but actually can. (you know what i'm saying?)
-Every day in Africa, 6,600 people die and another 8,500 contract the HIV virus - 1,400 of whom are newborn babies infected during childbirth or by their mothers' milk. Africa is home to 25 million people with HIV - 64% of global infections.
-Over 120,000 people die every month, the same as the tsunami in southeast Asia...EVERY MONTH.
-More than 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa—nearly half the population—live on less than $1 a day
-The developing world now spends $13 on debt repayment for every $1 it receives in grants.
I really admire what Bono is doing. Check out www.one.org or www.data.org to get involved in what is going on. It's not about money, it's about a voice for the voiceless.
I would recommend reading Bono's speech from the National Prayer Breakfast if you are really interested in what he said in Dallas. Besides a few 'y'alls' it is pretty much the same.
2 comments:
your post begs the question: when are you going to Africa, Dude?
i'm thinking next summer. i don't think the answer is to always go to africa, though. there is a lot we can do here as well. change our spending habits, change our giving habits, change our conversation topics, get with others to see the problems in our own neighborhoods that need attention...
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