Make poverty history

[DaRk-OnE]

At my school they are selling these "make poverty history bands" do you guys think its worth buying one , the money made from these is ment to go to people in Africa living in poverty .But many people think this money will be used to "redecorate presidential palaces in Africa".I would like to hear your views on this.

[YKTMX]

Well, I don't think the Make Poverty History money goes directly to Africa actually. I think it's just designed to raise awareness of the issue rather than directly raise money like Live Aid.

And anyway, the whole issue of "presidential palaces" is a total red herring. For George Bush, who's political life has been funded by Enron, to condemn "corruption" smacks of someting worse than hypocrisy.

The only way to "make poverty history" is to get the multinationals out of Africa, let them protect their own markets and drop all the debt.

[bunk]

It's turned out those bands are made by sweatshops. Don't buy them! Try and get a make capitalism history one.

[YKTMX]

I've got a Make Capitalism History band :D

Here's a brilliant new article by Monbiot on Blair's "debt relief".

click (http://www.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,5673,1505927,00.html)

[codyvo]

I really hate those bands, primarily because they are made in sweatshops but also because people buy them to be popular not because they care about the cause. Sometimes they'll have alittle thing that shows you how much of the profits go to the charity, it's usually only like 25%. I say you give money directly to the cause rather than buying a stupid band.

[bunk]

Anyone know whether i can order a 'make capitalism history' band off the internet

[YKTMX]

Here

SSY (http://www.ssy.org.uk/)

[bunk]

how am i supposed to pay them, just an e-mail comes up?

[American_Trotskyist]

Are those bands part of that pathetic naive movement of pop stars who think they can kiss enough ass at G8 that poverty will simply disappear?

There will always be poverty with capitalism, it thrives off of poverty. So what if you give some money to buy those kids a few toys or a little more food? Not that its wrong, but it doesn't do anything for them in the long run. What Africa needs is workers and peasants power, that is the only thing that will destroy poverty.

[Clarksist]

Charity is the repettence mechanism for the bourgeois. It never helps people, it only heals wounds from problems, but does nothing to prevent it.

Instead of getting a fucking band, goto Africa and help out with distribution of vaccines, or build them houses, just don't donate to a reactionary charity.

[YKTMX]

Originally posted by [email protected] 14 2005, 07:36 PM
how am i supposed to pay them, just an e-mail comes up?
Why don't you email them and ask?