U2Soar
War Child
Bono: This Generation?s MLK?
For over 2 decades Bono has centered his life on faith and social justice. In the last 4 years he has dedicated himself to social justice for Africa ? it?s economic slavery / the AIDS emergency / etc. Has not the exemplary nature of his words and actions and his tremendous hard work led to the point where he is the acknowledged ?Leader? of this movement? Therefore ? is not appropriate that Bono receive the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Salute to Greatness Award on January 17 in Atlanta? (Announcement made this week) It has been reported that Bono has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for the last for few years (and even made it to the short list each time). I believe it would be not only fitting but very special that he receive the Nobel Peace Prize next year for it will be the 40th anniversary of MLK receiving it. In the future will our children be given a presentation and an essay assignment in school (and in their Church Study Group) ? ?Compare the work of MLK and Bono??
?U2 front man Bono will be recognized for his humanitarian work at an awards dinner hosted by the family of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The Irish rock band's lead singer will be honored at the 2004 King Center Salute to Greatness awards dinner on Jan. 17 in Atlanta.?
?In a written statement, Coretta Scott King, the founder of the Center, said, ?We are fortunate this year to honor Bono for exemplifying many of the qualities that my husband, Martin, indicated were imperative to moving our society into the beloved community of which he so often spoke. Bono has campaigned tirelessly for Third World debt relief and for a global response to the AIDS emergency in Africa. He has focused mass public attention on the world?s poorest continent and lobbied politicians around the globe to take action. Through his music and humanitarian efforts, he has proven himself to be a socially progressive songwriter, entertainer and activist.?? (Access North Georgia & U2log.com)
I found it interesting that this announcement came the day after I read this apt quote:
?here's some U2 content for the World AIDS Day Link and Think: one of my favorite Bono quotes on AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.
?I think deep down, if we really believed in equality, we would go to the side of our brothers and sisters in Africa. What I would say is we don't really believe in equality. ...You think of these Jewish sheep-herders walking in, in front of Pharaoh, you know, without their shoes, and the pharaoh is going, "You think you're equal to me?" And they look in the Book, and they go, "Yeah... That's what it says here." And it's like "you're mad, you're out of your mind." --Well, it's true. And we accept that now between our own borders. We accept that women and Jews and blacks and Irish are equal and have equal opportunities, but we don't really believe that for the rest of the world -- because if we did, we would not be letting two-and-a-half million Africans die next year. ??
(http://u2sermons.blogspot.com)
Now MLK was known for many admirable things and among them was his eloquent / charismatic / dynamic public speaking ability. In comparison - Bono may not have this particular gift yet he has given a number of excellent speeches (Harvard Address 2001 / Africare?s Annual Bishop Walker Awards Dinner Address 2002 (is there video footage of it?) / Liberal Party Convention Address 2003). And we all know Bono?s primary gift is being a music artist. Haven?t there been a number of powerful and moving musical performances for Africa (One ? NetAid / One ? Millennium New Year?s Eve / One ? Notre Dame / the 46664 Concert)? [Idea: wouldn?t it great if there existed a DVD-R which intersperses these speeches and musical performances in order to spread this message and campaign to our family / friends / schools / churches / etc.?!)
In 1984 a young man with a band still on the outer edge of the music world visits an exhibit on MLK. Inspired by it he writes the songs ? Pride and MLK. Fast forward 20 years to 2004 and this man is now a 44 yr. old and the recipient of Nobel Peace Prize (the 40th anniversary of MLK?s same prestigious award).
Imagine this week next year with Bono making a similar speech but this time about the African Human Rights Movement! ?in the name of love / what more in the name of love?
Martin Luther King - Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech - December 10, 1964 - Oslo, Norway - http://www.nobelprizes.com/nobel/peace/MLK-nobel.html
For over 2 decades Bono has centered his life on faith and social justice. In the last 4 years he has dedicated himself to social justice for Africa ? it?s economic slavery / the AIDS emergency / etc. Has not the exemplary nature of his words and actions and his tremendous hard work led to the point where he is the acknowledged ?Leader? of this movement? Therefore ? is not appropriate that Bono receive the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Salute to Greatness Award on January 17 in Atlanta? (Announcement made this week) It has been reported that Bono has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for the last for few years (and even made it to the short list each time). I believe it would be not only fitting but very special that he receive the Nobel Peace Prize next year for it will be the 40th anniversary of MLK receiving it. In the future will our children be given a presentation and an essay assignment in school (and in their Church Study Group) ? ?Compare the work of MLK and Bono??
?U2 front man Bono will be recognized for his humanitarian work at an awards dinner hosted by the family of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The Irish rock band's lead singer will be honored at the 2004 King Center Salute to Greatness awards dinner on Jan. 17 in Atlanta.?
?In a written statement, Coretta Scott King, the founder of the Center, said, ?We are fortunate this year to honor Bono for exemplifying many of the qualities that my husband, Martin, indicated were imperative to moving our society into the beloved community of which he so often spoke. Bono has campaigned tirelessly for Third World debt relief and for a global response to the AIDS emergency in Africa. He has focused mass public attention on the world?s poorest continent and lobbied politicians around the globe to take action. Through his music and humanitarian efforts, he has proven himself to be a socially progressive songwriter, entertainer and activist.?? (Access North Georgia & U2log.com)
I found it interesting that this announcement came the day after I read this apt quote:
?here's some U2 content for the World AIDS Day Link and Think: one of my favorite Bono quotes on AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.
?I think deep down, if we really believed in equality, we would go to the side of our brothers and sisters in Africa. What I would say is we don't really believe in equality. ...You think of these Jewish sheep-herders walking in, in front of Pharaoh, you know, without their shoes, and the pharaoh is going, "You think you're equal to me?" And they look in the Book, and they go, "Yeah... That's what it says here." And it's like "you're mad, you're out of your mind." --Well, it's true. And we accept that now between our own borders. We accept that women and Jews and blacks and Irish are equal and have equal opportunities, but we don't really believe that for the rest of the world -- because if we did, we would not be letting two-and-a-half million Africans die next year. ??
(http://u2sermons.blogspot.com)
Now MLK was known for many admirable things and among them was his eloquent / charismatic / dynamic public speaking ability. In comparison - Bono may not have this particular gift yet he has given a number of excellent speeches (Harvard Address 2001 / Africare?s Annual Bishop Walker Awards Dinner Address 2002 (is there video footage of it?) / Liberal Party Convention Address 2003). And we all know Bono?s primary gift is being a music artist. Haven?t there been a number of powerful and moving musical performances for Africa (One ? NetAid / One ? Millennium New Year?s Eve / One ? Notre Dame / the 46664 Concert)? [Idea: wouldn?t it great if there existed a DVD-R which intersperses these speeches and musical performances in order to spread this message and campaign to our family / friends / schools / churches / etc.?!)
In 1984 a young man with a band still on the outer edge of the music world visits an exhibit on MLK. Inspired by it he writes the songs ? Pride and MLK. Fast forward 20 years to 2004 and this man is now a 44 yr. old and the recipient of Nobel Peace Prize (the 40th anniversary of MLK?s same prestigious award).
Imagine this week next year with Bono making a similar speech but this time about the African Human Rights Movement! ?in the name of love / what more in the name of love?
Martin Luther King - Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech - December 10, 1964 - Oslo, Norway - http://www.nobelprizes.com/nobel/peace/MLK-nobel.html