Vanity Fair For Africa
June 10, 2007 | Filed under Politics
As a magazine, I think Vanity Fair is one of my favourites – it has the perfect balance of celebrity features, political features, and general interest articles. It’s well-written, lengthy, well-researched and free of the “What kind of friend are you?” quizzes that you find in lesser publications.
However. The new alternate covers (20 in total) for their “Africa” issue have me divided. I find myself wondering what half of them are doing on the cover, and how they exactly contribute to the cause in Africa.
Bono: Okay, so this man may be the closest thing we have to a living saint. He’s a well-known philanthropist for those living in poverty, yadda yadda. Far be it from me to denigrate him. As one of my mates puts it though…“It’s ironic that he’s as celebrated as he is for charity when he practically owns half of Dublin”. I mean, is it really necessary for his name to be as prominent on the covers as it is, almost overshadowing the “Africa” text (which have been faded out)? This issue is about the African population and their standard of living. Not Bono.
Condoleeza Rice and Dubya: Okay, I just know that once I say this, some staunch redneck Republicans are going to jump down my throat. They’ll argue that “OUR ESTEEMED LEADER HAS PLEDGED BILLIONS TO HELP THESE INFERIOR BLACK PEOPLE IN AFRICA”. Yes. Well. Pledging the money isn’t exactly the same as actually giving it is it?
George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle, Alicia Keys, Iman: Speaking out against the Darfur conflict, and being a spokeswoman for Keep A Child Alive is all very well and good. However, raising awareness of the issues amongst the public doesn’t guarantee that anything will actually be done about it.
Jay Z: Same thing goes for Jay Z – the only thing he’s really done towards aiding the living conditions in Africa is the documentary for the United Nations’s “Water For Life” project – a project that was already well underway by the time he stepped in.
Djimon Hounsou: This is a very very sexy man, but other than actually being African, I fail to see what he’s done.
Madonna: She adopts one kid amidst controversy about breaking adoption laws and performs “Live To Tell” in concert with images of Aids orphans in the background and suddenly she’s an activist? Please. Setting an example by adopting orphans from disadvantaged countries is great…just make sure the kid is actually really an orphan first.
Maya Angelou: She’s a fantastic writer, but her autobiographies are on the whole, more relevant to the plight of black people in America rather than of those in Africa.
Muhammed Ali: I hate to put him here because he did so much to raise the profile of blacks in the public eye during a time when they were shunted into a back room, but other than the same charity appearances as those mentioned above, I don’t think he’s actually done anything to solidly change the status of things in the continent. In America yes, in Africa, no.
Barack Obama: I hesitated before deciding that he hadn’t yet truly affected the situation Africa. He will in future, because I think he’ll be one of the most global-community-friendly presidents America will ever have. Watch this space in a years time.
IMHO, the only people who are totally and utterly worthy of being on these covers are: Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet (hello bankrolling immunisation of a considerable part of the African population, improving agriculture in the continent, etc), Oprah Winfrey (building a girls school in South Africa), Desmond Tutu (I hate to blow the horn of religion, but he’s been fantastic for post-apartheid South Africa) and Queen Rania of Jordan (most of her philanthropy is based in the Middle East, but she is involved with the Gates Foundation’s immunisation efforts as well).
The difference? These people have actually physically contributed money to the cause, or actually been there amongst the African population improving the continent from the ground up. Raising public awareness of crusades is all very well and good, but in most cases, it’s all talk and no action. Do it, don’t just talk about it!
9 Responses to Vanity Fair For Africa
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On the matter of Oprah Winfrey, I have heard some odd things about her school and some suggestions that it may not be in the girls best interests.
They were talking about this on the radio last night, apparently the western world pledged 0.7% of their annual GDP as aid for African nations. Most nations have given about 0.2% in Europe, America hasn’t given any yet despite their pledges. Only Denmark, Sweden, Luxembourg and other small nations with excellent social welfare have met this pledge. So when you see that Republican, tell him to stop talking and start living up to their “pledges”.
Robert on June 10, 2007 #
I’m so glad I’m not the only person in the world to notice that Bono, while a good advocate, has enough money to wipe out poverty in at least one third world country but does he do that? No. He just whinges about everyone else not doing their part to help.
I agree wholeheartedly with everything you’ve said here.
Nellie on June 10, 2007 #
I have to say that I agree with you. I hadn’t much though about this until this blog though.
Although, to make myself feel better I would say “well, it’s the thought that counts” but really it’s what you do that counts. I’ve got a great quote from Batman Begins, but I’ll save you from the cheesiness for now!
But yes, you’re right…
Rafia on June 10, 2007 #
Sometimes the most important thing is the publicity. That said, I absolutely loathe Bono.
Mike Haddad on June 10, 2007 #
I got distracted by the pictures because Annie Leibovitz took them.
.. x]
You’re right though.
Jenny on June 10, 2007 #
Sometimes I wonder if this is truly for the benefit of the children in Africa, to raise their public profile or if they see this as the steps to ‘becoming a better person’.
Either way I don’t like any of the people on these covers. Superficial and pretentious masquerading as ‘Earth Mothers’. Mhm. I’m not buying it sweeties.
Amber on June 10, 2007 #
I have read a lot about Bono being criticised for his appearance when he have a huge stash sewed into his sofa! Vanity Fair will of course have to use whoever will participate – Kofi Annan obviously didn’t feel that vain the day he was asked.
Nan on June 11, 2007 #
Oh man, I saw those covers a few days back and I still can’t get over how awkward most of those poses look. Half of them look like someone wants sex. Especially the Maya Angelou and Madonna, Don Cheadle and Barack, and Barack and Muhammed Ali. But I applaud them for their efforts to reduce poverty. I agree though, some of the people they put on their are a bit iffy.
Belinda on June 11, 2007 #
I see your point on many of your comments except the one about Alicia Keys and Iman… without celbrity spokespeople, the general public in this pop-cultured country wouldn’t pay attention, let alone give $1.00 to a cause… it’s sick and twisted but their speaking out and speaking up is what translates to the money being raised… blame media, blame society or blame the times but that’s the facts… Joe-Blow American would rather read about Paris Hilton than anything of real imprtance. I thank god people like Alicia and Iman are willing to spend their time working with an orgnaization that at least gives 100% of the money where it’s needed, clinics that buy generic drugs from India (since the companies here in the states made it impossible to do so).
J.I. on June 12, 2007 #