Bono, Gates and Gates

Bono, Gates and Gates were selected people of the year by Time Magazine this time around. And why not? Bono has fought valiantly to have the debts of poor countries cancelled, with some success. Bill and Melinda have donated millions, nay, billions, to the poor. Is the argument that Bono is just a clue-less rock star valid? Is the argument that the Gates are giving away their dosh because they don't know what to do with it valid? No, they're not. Bono is a rock star but he's also someone who created the fashion line

Edun, co-created with designer Rogan. Edun's earthy but chic duds, which are created from organic materials, are made in family-run factories in South America and Africa with fair-labor practices [Source].

Perhaps the only thing I didn't quite catch in this whole story is why Ali Hewson, a.k.a. Mrs Bono, didn't get the recognition, too. After all, she works as hard against poverty, albeit without hogging the spotlight.

And Bill, what about Bill? First off, let me say that the man's software is bad. For the richest guy in the world, it's really inacceptable. But that's neither here nor there. Bill Gates is a philanthropist and he helps people with one of the few things he has at his disposal to help people with: money. We don't really care if he's giving it away because he doesn't know what to do with it, do we? Besides, if he's giving it away to charity, he does know what to do with it, doesn't he? And Melinda? Let's leave Mrs Gates out of it, because the other lady didn't get the same recognition, although she's worked hard, too.

Paul Theroux, the great travel writer, says that Bono is "endlessly shouting for people to hand over money [which doesn't] solve the wider problem of poverty [Source]." What has Mr. Theroux done to alleviate poverty? He's also said that

There are probably more annoying things than being hectored about African development by a wealthy Irish rock star in a cowboy hat, but I can't think of one at the moment.

I can, and it has to be the slamming of one of the few people who are using their stature to do their share. Of course Bono isn't going to eradicate poverty in developing countries. But he's helping reduce it. That's good enough.

By the way, the name of Bono and Ali's clothes line, Edun, is "nude" backwards. The jeans all have a poem on the pocket, and the material used is organic, while the labour used is local, and from the countries involved themeslves. What more would you want?

Comments

[Gabbahead]

I read the Time issue with interest and I'm sold on the decision. Call the three of them what you will and they may come across as just rich people with too much time, money and a conscience. But it's more than that. The ideas put forward by the three and the changes they have seemingly made to how charity is approached is important. It's interesting to note the Bono did not use his own money to start his group DATA, so as not to make it appear a vanity project.

Trust? Lies? Who cares? What matters is that at least they are trying to make a difference and in a more proactive way that simply giving money to charity and rest easy, knowing that you've given your share. Charity in itself is a myth and an excuse to get us off the hook. More needs to be done and if it take a rock star and two software billionaires to do so, so be it! But I think that that's what your post says anyway.

Also keep an eye on the google founders. Their minds and hearts are in the right place, not so much for charity, but for improving mankind.