I wanted to post this Link I ran across, criticizing the Vanity Fair Africa issue. I still haven't picked up the magazine yet, so I have no idea how valid the concerns are, but thought you guys might like to see it.
Thanks for the link. I admit I only skimmed some of it because my eyes are falling out of my head, but I found the following quote interesting: "It’s possible - and quite likely - that some of these stories are excellent and worth reading. But the overall picture is the one that so many Africans find themselves fighting - Africa as basket case."
It made me wonder if this person actually read any of the articles before writing this - because this is exactly what some of the articles are about and written by Africans, i.e. look, see Africa is a continent, not a basket case. I don't think that is the overall picture the magazine is presenting at all. And as for the whole celebrity thing - well Bono is quite up front that he was told by people that know about fundraising and conscience-raising here in the US that in order to get people interested in helping Africa would this is the type of thing they would have to do stuff like that to get the average American at all interested in lending a hand.
O.k. I'm probably not making much sense.
Anyway, I have an extra copy of the magazine. I'll try to pop it in your mailbox tomorrow. :^)
1 comment:
Hey Mary,
Thanks for the link. I admit I only skimmed some of it because my eyes are falling out of my head, but I found the following quote interesting:
"It’s possible - and quite likely - that some of these stories are excellent and worth reading. But the overall picture is the one that so many Africans find themselves fighting - Africa as basket case."
It made me wonder if this person actually read any of the articles before writing this - because this is exactly what some of the articles are about and written by Africans, i.e. look, see Africa is a continent, not a basket case. I don't think that is the overall picture the magazine is presenting at all. And as for the whole celebrity thing - well Bono is quite up front that he was told by people that know about fundraising and conscience-raising here in the US that in order to get people interested in helping Africa would this is the type of thing they would have to do stuff like that to get the average American at all interested in lending a hand.
O.k. I'm probably not making much sense.
Anyway, I have an extra copy of the magazine. I'll try to pop it in your mailbox tomorrow. :^)
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