Do They Know it's Christmas? Band Aid

I was at Live Aid, one of the best yet most emotional days of my life. So many heartbreaking videos shown during the day and an awful lot of crying.

My DH flew the C130 that made the last food drop in Ethiopia Operation Bushel in December 1985.

Whatever African people say today about "White Saviour Complex" that's their right to an opinion.

The people on the ground who were getting the food drops were NOT concerned with who brought them food and other supplies. They were just glad that it was them getting the supplies.

The RAF, the German and Polish Air Force were there on famine relief and the Russians were there but ??? There was a lot of talk around the crews about what the Russians were doing but that's another issue.

DH came back on the 23rd December and it was a very difficult Christmas as we had the 2 DDs excited about Christmas Day and DH who's head was full of what he's seen in Ethiopia.

However, he was somewhat relieved that Band Aid were there as they had been in country long enough to get the operation set up so the RAF crews leaving felt that there was ongoing help for the people still in need.

When asked by some Ambassador if he thought the RAF had done any good his answer in 1985 is still the same today "we have helped bring some relief to the immediate situation but in the long term Africa will have problems until Africa finds the will to solve their problems."

So did Bob Geldorf et al do some good, I'd say so. Is it White Saviour Complex or human kindness ?

I can't really say but I was glad we did our bit back in 1984 to 85. What motivates Bob Geldorf and others now? who knows. If it's anything like the 84-85 situation some people who don't care about "White Saviours" will benefit and those who do care will criticise because there is always something to be critical about.

I hope Bob and mates do OK as some one will benefit.

Bob said on Lorraine this week that he was staying in a hotel recently (in Canada I think). A member of staff brought Bob's breakfast to his room. He told Bob that he had specifically asked to bring it to Bob. He said he was Ethiopian and had been
brought to that refugee camp when he was 2 by his 5 year old sister as their parents had died.
He said that thanks to Live Aid, he was alive, married with 2 children and working. He hugged Bob and said 'Thank you for my life. Bob didn't say this in a 'Aren't I wonderful?' way, more by way of saying that yes, we did some good.

What a fabulous story Kate.

allsortsofbags My DH flew the C130 that made the last food drop in Ethiopia Operation Bushel in December 1985.

Whatever African people say today about "White Saviour Complex" that's their right to an opinion.

The people on the ground who were getting the food drops were NOT concerned with who brought them food and other supplies. They were just glad that it was them getting the supplies.

What a terrific story and memories for your DH allsortsofbags. Thank you so much for sharing it.

And Kate1949 thank you for sharing your interesting story too.

Agree but the rapper, whoever he is a complete 'bellend' and very disappointed in Ed Sheeran

I always thought 'there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time" was a daft line. No snow in Australia, Barbados or Hawaii either.

Franski

I always thought 'there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time" was a daft line. No snow in Australia, Barbados or Hawaii either.

It is daft because it does snow in Africa in winter.

It was right at the time and could be right for individual crisis now, but is not right as a whole now.

Africa is a continent of some very rich and some poorer countries, some countries with terrible conditions of a war or a famine and then it would be a wonderful help but just as we wouldn’t expect people to feel sorrow for us in the same way we would for Ukraine or be raising money for our terrible conditions (both European countries) you cannot just lump them altogether as poverty stricken

It is not relevant for the whole continent and I believe the rapper ( who’s name escapes me ) is correct and also Ed Sheeran

Calendargirl

“Well tonight thank God it’s them instead of you”.

But true. How many of us, faced with the troubles of others, be it bereavement, illness, floods, famine… let’s be honest, we’ve all thought it.

“Thank God it’s not me, or mine”.

I can truthfully say I never have.

What BlueBelle said 👍

Franski

I always thought 'there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time" was a daft line. No snow in Australia, Barbados or Hawaii either.

Yes, there is snow in parts of Australia.

☃️

Franski

I always thought 'there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time" was a daft line. No snow in Australia, Barbados or Hawaii either.

It snows in Hawaii.

Meanwhile EU companies are sending tonnes of bee killing pesticides to poorer countries.

unearthed.greenpeace.org/2023/05/16/eu-bee-killing-pesticides/

BlueBelle

It was right at the time and could be right for individual crisis now, but is not right as a whole now.

Africa is a continent of some very rich and some poorer countries, some countries with terrible conditions of a war or a famine and then it would be a wonderful help but just as we wouldn’t expect people to feel sorrow for us in the same way we would for Ukraine or be raising money for our terrible conditions (both European countries) you cannot just lump them altogether as poverty stricken

It is not relevant for the whole continent and I believe the rapper ( who’s name escapes me ) is correct and also Ed Sheeran

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Good comment.
I always thought the sentiment behind Band Aid was fine but the words of the song crass.
Do they know it’s Christmas time at all? There are many Christians in African countries.
Thank God it’s them and not you 😲

Calendargirl

Franski

I always thought 'there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time" was a daft line. No snow in Australia, Barbados or Hawaii either.

Yes, there is snow in parts of Australia.

☃️

Yes, you can ski in Australia!

And it snows in Hawaii!

I always thought the sentiment behind Band Aid was fine but the words of the song crass.

Yes, the sentiments are laudable but the words are crass.

It was reaction to the horror of seeing starving people

Anniebach

It was reaction to the horror of seeing starving people

Yes, it was horrific.

Will things ever change? ☹

I can remember when I was a child being told to eat my dinner up, children were starving in Africa and India. I took money into Sunday School for the poor starving children.

It was Biafra when I was a child. There are starving people everywhere nowadays

My mum used ti implore me to think of the children in Biafra, when I didn't want to eat rabbit stew.

I doubt that those Africans in famine areas know what "White Saviour Complex" is.

Us Europeans have, in the past, pillaged third world countries. Some of those countries that gained their freedom are doing well but there is still a lot of war and famine on that continent and also some countries in other continents.