[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

It's not just that it's insulting, it furthers an image of Africa as "poor and dirty" that actively damages Africa, stops African nations from being taken seriously as real nations, and KEEPS African people in a cycle of poverty. African nations need help being taken seriously as places where real trade, tourism, and economic development can occur for things to ever change in any meaningful way... they don't need Ed Sheeran digging a well whilst wiping a single tear from his cheek.

It's not an image, there are huge swathes that are poor and dirty, you can't coddle people from that. Whether Ed is there wiping tears or not they will still be there still be poor and still be dirty... What's the alternative?

Govts don't decide who to trade with based on how many telethons their country has, corruption and exploitation play a part.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

It's not an image, there are huge swathes that are poor and dirty, you can't coddle people from that. Whether Ed is there wiping tears or not they will still be there still be poor and still be dirty... What's the alternative?

Govts don't decide who to trade with based on how many telethons their country has, corruption and exploitation play a part.

Part of the reason for them being poor and dirty is that people consider them to be poor and dirty, though. It's a vicious circle, and parading these nations as victims on national television doesn't help matters. They might raise £50 million but that is absolute piss in the ocean when it comes down to the sort of economic troubles that these countries have.

Many African nations themselves have said that rather than feeling sorry for them and sending chump change, it would be much better if people simply started buying from these countries, visiting these countries, and basically allowing them to function as a "real" country.

The perception of the African continent as the world's poor neighbour is massively damaging.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Part of the reason for them being poor and dirty is that people consider them to be poor and dirty, though. It's a vicious circle, and parading these nations as victims on national television doesn't help matters. They might raise £50 million but that is absolute piss in the ocean when it comes down to the sort of economic troubles that these countries have.

Many African nations themselves have said that rather than feeling sorry for them and sending chump change, it would be much better if people simply started buying from these countries, visiting these countries, and basically allowing them to function as a "real" country.

The perception of the African continent as the world's poor neighbour is massively damaging.

Have you ever been to Goa.... How has that concept helped the poor there?
Billions are spent there and there are STILL areas of absolute and total destitution, undeveloped urban areas.
We have great trading links with India so what's gone wrong there then?

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Have you ever been to Goa.... How has that concept helped the poor there?
Billions are spent there and there are STILL areas of absolute and total destitution, undeveloped urban areas.
We have great trading links with India so what's gone wrong there then?

I would direct that question to the people who run business and government there. ie the people who live there.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

I would direct that question to the people who run business and government there. ie the people who live there.

ok