Matt's brother who was a Peace Corps volunteer in Uganda called us the other day to let us know that the latest issue of *Vanity Fair* (July 2007) is a special All Africa issue guest-edited by Bono. Since we don't read or know much about *Vanity Fair* we weren't sure what we'd think. We bought a copy of it yesterday and are in awe. What an amazing read! From an interview with South African Archibishop Desmond Tutu (Nobel Peace Prize recipient) to Bill Clinton's reflections on his friendship with Nelson Mandela to West African music to drugs for Africans with AIDs to Chinese investments in Sudan to contemporary African literature to a 22 page photo tribute to Africans who are making a difference on the continent....
Wow! The issue is hopeful and inspiring, an incredible tribute to people all over the world who care about and are connected to Africa's future. What a refreshing change from mainstream media that usually focuses on Africa's conflicts and diseases.
The only disturbing part of the issue is the juxtaposition of such incredible stories and all of those sexy, ridiculous ads. It's more than a bit jarring. After reading about the struggle to find safe drinking water in parts of Africa it is kind of bizarre to flip a few pages and find a photo of a half naked Jennifer Anistan holding a bottle of designer bottled water. But maybe it is, in and of itself, an interesting commentary on a world divided along economic lines. And yet, some of those ads (for Gap, Motorola, Exxon) are part of campaigns that donate money to amazing causes in Africa. It makes me wonder if this whole issue, cover to cover, is globalization at its best and worst. I'd love to know what you think.
In the meantime, I highly recommend this special Africa issue. And if you'd like a sneak peak along with some supplemental articles and multimedia features (songs, videos, etc.) from some of the features check out the Vanity Fair website:
www.vf.com
One last note: There are 20 different covers of this issue. Twenty portraits of famous people who are doing work in Africa were photographed in pairs by Annie Leibovitz. These people include Oprah, Archbishop Tutu (photographed with George W. Bush?!!), Warren Buffett, Djimon Hounsou, Quen Rania of Jordan, etc. etc. We got the one with Barack Obama and Don Cheadle. So don't feel like you have to get the one with Bush on the cover....
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4 comments:
Great reporting, Annie!
I just saw that Vanity Fair on a newsstand and thought it looked interesting. I'll have to go and pick it up now!
Also, I love your blog! Can't wait to hear your insights from Africa.
Off to a great start here.
Jen picked up the Vanity Fair on your recommendation, and we both were struck by some of the same things you were. Globalization, best and worst, really hits the nail on the head. By the way, Jennifer Aniston is totally naked.
Bono seems to be a complete pragmatist. He said something interesting, that an African women in need of a vaccination could care less whether the money came from a church offering or an ipod sale. This seems to be right on one level, but I wonder if there are more hidden costs to the rampant consumerism of the West. Building charity into consumption, even decadent consumption, may be missing the root problem. Thanks for the thoughts.
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for your comment. You've gotten to the heart of an interesting 21st century dilemma and a pretty hot topic/debate going on in our household right now- the blurring of boundaries between charity and consumerism and if the two should be connected at all. Thanks for jump starting the virtual debate with your insight. Expect a post on this in the next day or so.
One last thing to ponder: what's up with that guy in the speedos wearing cologne in the water?! (Sexy, but maybe not so smart...)
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