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Two things.
May. 26th, 2010 12:30 amOkay, I know there's a lot going on in the world right now, and a lot of it is scary, demanding stuff. But I'd like to ask you, if you've got a bit of thought, a bit of care, a second of time left, to send a prayer to Bono and his family, as he was just released from a Munich hospital after emergency back surgery; I gather the injury was very painful. The man may be a rockstar, a living legend, fame, fortune and so on, but he's also done a lot of good, both with his music and outside of it.
On a kinda-sorta-related note!
HBO, working with (RED), have released a 30-minute documentary on HIV in Africa (they focused on a clinic in Zambia, but it's really the whole continent they're talking about), and what (RED) has been doing, and what the effect over the past few years has been. WATCH IT. I honestly cannot stress enough how important this video is. Why?
Because it's not another tearful violin-clad plea for money. (Actually, the instrument of choice is, appropriately enough, a trumpet, and the music is rather uplifting.) It's not a sepia-toned spectacle. The focus is on LIFE, and on HOPE, and on how things have changed since ARV drugs are actually available in Africa, in places where formerly, HIV-positive people would have to basically choose between living themselves and feeding their children, or other decisions no one should ever have to make. People are being brought back from the very brink of death with these drugs, and it is amazing. (And no, Bono is nowhere in the film, except maybe a footnote in the credits? I think they thanked him among a list of others somewhere in there...)
Anyway. If you don't have half an hour,find half an hour and watch it anyway then read the above, remember that (RED) doesn't ask for individual donations-- it's about choosing Red Products, and the corporations donate a certain amount for every product bought. It's all legitimate, all clear-cut, and no skimming off the top. This is the list of companies who have Red products (note: not all their stuff is Red. look for the label, or ask.)
Windows, Converse, Starbucks, Nike, Apple, Dell, Gap, Emporio Armani, Hallmark, Bugaboo, Penguin Books, American Express, Solange, Diptyque, Timbuk2, ...Beats by Dr. Dre (whaa?), and Girl Skateboards.
It doesn't cost that much more to buy your coffee beans out the Red bag, and it'll save a life somewhere. Same for Nike, Converse, Penguin. So, so worth it.
For more information: (RED), and ONE, a sort-of-joint organisation.
On a kinda-sorta-related note!
HBO, working with (RED), have released a 30-minute documentary on HIV in Africa (they focused on a clinic in Zambia, but it's really the whole continent they're talking about), and what (RED) has been doing, and what the effect over the past few years has been. WATCH IT. I honestly cannot stress enough how important this video is. Why?
Because it's not another tearful violin-clad plea for money. (Actually, the instrument of choice is, appropriately enough, a trumpet, and the music is rather uplifting.) It's not a sepia-toned spectacle. The focus is on LIFE, and on HOPE, and on how things have changed since ARV drugs are actually available in Africa, in places where formerly, HIV-positive people would have to basically choose between living themselves and feeding their children, or other decisions no one should ever have to make. People are being brought back from the very brink of death with these drugs, and it is amazing. (And no, Bono is nowhere in the film, except maybe a footnote in the credits? I think they thanked him among a list of others somewhere in there...)
Anyway. If you don't have half an hour,
Windows, Converse, Starbucks, Nike, Apple, Dell, Gap, Emporio Armani, Hallmark, Bugaboo, Penguin Books, American Express, Solange, Diptyque, Timbuk2, ...Beats by Dr. Dre (whaa?), and Girl Skateboards.
It doesn't cost that much more to buy your coffee beans out the Red bag, and it'll save a life somewhere. Same for Nike, Converse, Penguin. So, so worth it.
For more information: (RED), and ONE, a sort-of-joint organisation.
