[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Twosugars

then have charity workers do that, imo

Would the charity workers have to be black, otherwise what's the difference?

[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

[Twosugars]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Would the charity workers have to be black, otherwise what's the difference?

they can be white, preferably based on the ground
the difference would be that they do that day in day out, it's their life passion, not a holiday, however well-meaning

[smudgie]

Ok Mr.Lammy, we will stop showing the poor people in Africa, and then stop donating.
Just what that solves is a mystery to me.

[jaxie]

I think the films with celebrities create publicity and publicity is good for charity. This feels like someone making an issue where there doesn't really need to be one perhaps. I've found some reports very moving and still remember them like the ones on malaria with David Tennant and Lenny Henry with the children who lived in the slum and he bought them a new house.

Maybe its about perspectives. Personally I've never thought of Africa as 'dirty' and I find the promotion of that idea in poor taste from all aspects. I do think of Africa as being largely poor, often run by dictators who help keep it that way by lining their own corrupt pockets. By helping educate and survival trough charity you hope you help sew the seeds of change for future generations you hope.

I've been donating to Zimbabwe's forgotten children since that documentary was first shown and without media I would never have known about it. As a result of the documentary many schools and children have been helped across the country by paying the fees for children to attend and making sure they have a good meal every day. I've found it something very inspirational to be involved with but it doesn't have the exposure that comic relief has and those celebrities are probably part of the reason for that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0mKndUkWik

http://zimbabweschildren.org/

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Twosugars

they can be white, preferably based on the ground
the difference would be that they do that day in day out, it's their life passion, not a holiday, however well-meaning

So to promote a charity you have to be a charity worker only? That's rather restrictive and not at all beneficial to a cause such as comic relief.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by jaxie

I think the films with celebrities create publicity and publicity is good for charity. This feels like someone making an issue where there doesn't really need to be one perhaps. I've found some reports very moving and still remember them like the ones on malaria with David Tennant and Lenny Henry with the children who lived in the slum and he bought them a new house.

Maybe its about perspectives. Personally I've never thought of Africa as 'dirty' and I find the promotion of that idea in poor taste from all aspects. I do think of Africa as being largely poor, often run by dictators who help keep it that way by lining their own corrupt pockets. By helping educate and survival trough charity you hope you help sew the seeds of change for future generations you hope.

I've been donating to Zimbabwe's forgotten children since that documentary was first shown and without media I would never have known about it. As a result of the documentary many schools and children have been helped across the country by paying the fees for children to attend and making sure they have a good meal every day. I've found it something very inspirational to be involved with but it doesn't have the exposure that comic relief has and those celebrities are probably part of the reason for that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0mKndUkWik

http://zimbabweschildren.org/

Well said Jaxie, thanks for the links

[y.winter]

Ridiculous. It has nothing to do to them being "white" - they are celebrities nd they are being used to promote a good cause.
Calling them "white saviours" is mainly racist. Is sending a black celebrity (=privileged) better?
Nonsense.

[arista]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

They whole thing needs scrapping

I agree.

[Tom4784]

I always found those appeals grotesque as it's always about the celeb and not really about the people these charities are meant to help. When you hear the news stories it's always '_____ brought to tears on Comic Relief trip to Africa' and words to that effect, we're supposed to care more about the millionaires' tears then we are about the reason why they are there.

[jaxie]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Well said Jaxie, thanks for the links

You're welcome. It's a really harrowing documentary to watch you might need a big box of tissues!

[Cherie]

Will tune in later for Michael McIntyres midnight game show with Andy Murray, two more white saviours

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Twosugars

Celebs could still provide entertainment and make appeals, just not star in those reports from Africa. Instead let the locals tell the story.

then they would be accused of not getting their hands dirty, you can't win, that said this has been going on for years and we haven't enough mosquito nets or clean water yet despite all the millions sent, it really is time to scrap it

[chuff me dizzy]

Glad Ive never watched this load of tripe

[Crimson Dynamo]

Welcome to Sheeran-ville! Newly-engaged Ed Sheeran splashes out Ł1.5m on TWO MORE houses next door to his Suffolk mansion (which will soon have an underground man cave)


Ed Sheeran, The singer, 26, is said to be worth a huge Ł40million and now owns four homes close to one another
He is building an underground ‘man cave’, with a music room and cinema...






http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...s-mansion.html


Ed Sheeran buys Ł2million ranch right next door to Taylor Swift

Lego House star bought plush property in the States three weeks ago as a 22nd birthday present to himself



https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebri...-ranch-1794568

[Twosugars]

Originally Posted by Cherie

then they would be accused of not getting their hands dirty, you can't win, that said this has been going on for years and we haven't enough mosquito nets or clean water yet despite all the millions sent, it really is time to scrap it

they'd do what they do best - entertain, free of charge, so that'd be their contribution and their way of mucking in

as to why there's still not enough, you have point; I think we all would like to know for example how the money raised last time was distributed, like a proper breakdown, and then shown how it was used and where, again with clear signs of progress and what and why is still needed, in short, strict and clear accountability

[chuff me dizzy]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

Welcome to Sheeran-ville! Newly-engaged Ed Sheeran splashes out Ł1.5m on TWO MORE houses next door to his Suffolk mansion (which will soon have an underground man cave)


Ed Sheeran, The singer, 26, is said to be worth a huge Ł40million and now owns four homes close to one another
He is building an underground ‘man cave’, with a music room and cinema...






http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...s-mansion.html


Ed Sheeran buys Ł2million ranch right next door to Taylor Swift

Lego House star bought plush property in the States three weeks ago as a 22nd birthday present to himself



https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebri...-ranch-1794568

Good on him !! his cash to spend as he chooses

[kirklancaster]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

We wouldn't be doing it if they weren't would we?

Not all the celebs are white that highlight issues in Africa, I can't help but think it's counterproductive, for genuinely involved people like Ed Sheeran to reduce him to his skin colour to prohibit him from contributing his money and efforts is unfair and effectively prejudiced.

The UK is predominantly a white country, there will be white people donating, what's wrong with white people promoting the cause? :/

In the name of inclusion and integration this is a bad call, worse it's regressive. The image of the colonialist white saviour was nothing like Ed Sheeran... surely that's apparent?

I'm amazed at myself But credit where it's due:

I TOTALLY agree. Well said.

[kirklancaster]

Originally Posted by y.winter

Ridiculous. It has nothing to do to them being "white" - they are celebrities nd they are being used to promote a good cause.
Calling them "white saviours" is mainly racist. Is sending a black celebrity (=privileged) better?
Nonsense.

Well written Y.Winter.

It is RACIST and it is NONSENSE.

Celebrities figure-heading these Charity appeals are usually 'Current' and do NOT need to cynically use such broadcasts to 'Promote' themselves.

They are doing it because they CARE.

They have been approached by the charity/Appeal organisers specifically BECAUSE these Celebrities ARE Celebrities - to attract as large an audience as possible and retain the interest of that audience in the hope that as many of that audience as possible is actually 'moved' by the 'message' to cause them to donate.

This is the very reason why Celebrities are paid ludicrous fees to advertise and endorse products in commercials - IT WORKS and SALES INCREASE.

I find the term 'White-Saviour; unnecessary, offensive and annoying, and I'm not even White.

[Brother Leon]

Surely a compromise would be to use Celebs originally from that Country? Problem solved.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

And funny how often its the artists who have something to sell themselves that miraculously are able to donate "their time" to the cause.....

Surely all artists have "something to sell", that's how they earn a living.

You'd be hard pressed to find a celebrity who isn't selling something. Their fortune doesn't fall from the sky.

[Wizard.]

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.

I agree. Reminds me of a funny video african people made up about donating radiators to Norwegians because there country's cold

Youtube video

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

Surely all artists have "something to sell", that's how they earn a living.

You'd be hard pressed to find a celebrity who isn't selling something. Their fortune doesn't fall from the sky.

there are tons who do not have any current material. they have to write and record. you watch the up and coming stuff they will all have current stuff on offer

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

there are tons who do not have any current material. they have to write and record. you watch the up and coming stuff they will all have current stuff on offer

But then if they had nothing you'd say, look at them trying to get relevance back, trying to garner interest for a comeback. They can't win.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

But then if they had nothing you'd say, look at them trying to get relevance back, trying to garner interest for a comeback. They can't win.

lets just say its not the goodness of their hearts..