Skip to main content

Home/ contemporary issues in public policy/ Questions about "Stop Trying to Save Africa"
Melissa Moreno

Questions about "Stop Trying to Save Africa" - 21 views

started by Melissa Moreno on 04 Oct 11
  • Melissa Moreno
    #1 Melissa Moreno on 04 Oct 11
     
    1.When reading the article do you agree that America treat's "saving Africa" as a fad? Do you think we as a collective body put so much effort into saving countries like Africa because we are looking for redemption or salvation as mentioned? And is our help towards Africa, as well as other 3rd world countries, only as popular because of celebrities such as Brangelina, Scarlett Johansen, and various others and do you think that if celebrities didn't place so much emphasis on helping these impoverished countries that there would be such a high percentage of people willing to be involved?
    2.The article also mentions how the west places entirely too much emphasis on the problems in Africa and instead of looking at the good and progress they are making we focus on the corruptness in their leadership and the overwhelming diseases creating an epidemic. Why do you think that we place so much emphasis on these issues or do you believe the author is wrong and we are simply trying our best to make the world a better place? Is this really what we need to be focusing on or do we place entirely too much emphasis on other countries problems or should be focusing on our own country's poverty rate, corruption in government (if you believe there is any), and diseases? While are hearts may be in the right place are we justified in going over and trying to help them or should we be giving them credit for what they have already done?
  • Felecia Russell
    #2 Felecia Russell on 04 Oct 11
     
    I think people who put effort into helping countries like Africa do it for their self-fullfillment. However, because of the spotlight on celebrities, those lens are intensified, it is not for redemption or salvation. As I mentioned before in my comment the media highlights certain celebrities with a motive in mind. Becasue African American celebrities do alot with Africa and other thrid world countries, but they are not being highlighted. America wants a good image and because of past image of discrimination and overt racism, it helps to highlight celebrities like Angelina and Bono because it helps shed the previous image. We as a people do it from the goodness of our hearts, but the media's job is make something interesting and Brangelina is definately more interesting than an actually African helping Africans.
  • Eric Henderson
    #3 Eric Henderson on 05 Oct 11
     
    That is all that Americans do...I as an American, do not agree with making something that would be universally acceptable a fad, that, in my mind, just destroys the concept of trying to help people in need altogether. Obviously, the reasoning behind "saving" anyone or anything nowadays is to clear any guilt we have on our conscience at the moment. And I do believe that the only reason that the aid to Africa is so publicized is because celebrities are involved such as Jolie, or Bill Gates. Either way, the United States would be involved in Africa, I just think it has become a fad and publicized duue to popular culture involvement.
  • Jonathan Omokawa
    #4 Jonathan Omokawa on 05 Oct 11
     
    I think to get a good grasp on this we should look at a fluctuation of when giving to Africa first began. If we can correlate between "when Hollywood starting making Africa" and "how much money was given", we might be able to see if there is in fact a correlation between the two. You could also argue that while celebrities use it for publicity, maybe Hollywood did Africa a favor, by publicizing Africa and making America more aware of its situations.
    In answer to the second part, I can understand both sides of the problem. On one hand, you have real improvement that should be reported but on the other hand, you still have epidemics and widespread diseases and corruption. I think that as a country, we place so much emphasis on the corruption and disease because it is "News" and money. I would also say that without foreign aid, Africa wouldn't be where it is today. Sure, we can give them credit where it is due, but to say they did it without the help from other countries and political clout is ridiculous.
  • Lauren Petta
    #5 Lauren Petta on 05 Oct 11
     
    I 100% feel as though the "save africa" concept is a fad. I believe that the people who started the campaign had a good-hearted purpose for it, but as usual, American companies used it as a way to gather sales. It reminds me of how the whole organic and eco-friendly fads took off a few years ago.

    It's true that Africa has made a lot of great progress over the years! Their infant mortality rate has dropped significantly (as it was one of the 10 millennium goals). You never really hear the good news...I guess it's because if people hear positive news they will assume that the problems are "solved". Obviously, this is not the case. There are still the issues with corrupt governments, severe poverty, famine, etc.
  • Valencia Hamilto
    #6 Valencia Hamilto on 05 Oct 11
     
    I believe there are groups and organizations in America that help "save" Africa through good hearted nature, who actually care and have great interest in helping out countries that are less fortunate. However, the majority of those who help aid Africa are only doing for a boost in their image. You don't hear much about the organizations that are doing it out of good deed but on very cover of a magazine you read about some celebrity adopting a child from Africa or a third world country and about them giving x amount of dollars away . Celebrities treat it as a fad to give off the image that they are generous people and …When in turn they are using their presence in Africa as publicity exposure to receive a better recognition .

To Top

Start a New Topic » « Back to the contemporary issues in public policy group