| U2's Bono photographed with a group of Africa school children |
Ireland’s
Bono, the international superstar of music and philanthropy, has always used
his status to bring attention to world poverty and illness.
He played a key role in bringing international relief to Africa as it struggled with the AIDS epidemic; it is said
he is responsible for saving millions of lives through his efforts.
Known for his philanthropy as much as his creativity in the
music field, Bono has drawn together
quite a far flung army of volunteers in his war on poverty and disease. Under
his tent, he has brought world leaders, rock stars, soccer moms and evangelicals, all united in
goals to make the world a better place.
But through his experience in bringing aid to those in need,
it seems Bono has had an awakening, perhaps Biblical in proportion best summed
up by:
“Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach a man
to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.”
Bono, during a speech to students at Georgetown University,
declared his altered view on political and economic issues, by saying: ONLY
capitalism can end poverty:
"Aid is just a stopgap," he said. "Commerce/
entrepreneurial capitalism take more people out of poverty than aid. We need Africa to become an economic powerhouse."
Bono encouraged the students to think of what they can do to
support those in Africa and other 3rd
world countries in need of justice and comfort….
As if writing a lyric to one of his songs, he said:
"Because when you truly accept that those children in
some far off place in the global village have the same value as you in God's
eyes or even in just your eyes, then your life is forever changed, you see
something that you can't un-see."
Bono wields tremendous world influence and his awakening on
capitalism can signal a ground shift on how world aid organizations actually
find long term cures for poverty and disease, rather than putting a band aid on
it.
Bono signaled appreciation for another world famous capitalist
during an interview last year with Mike Huckabee: "America needs Reagan-like
statesmanship that is so missing."…See story here.
President Reagan valued the magic and power that entrepreneurial
capitalism brought to the standard of living for mankind throughout the
world.
Sounds like Bono has seen the light.
Here's the video of the Georgetown University speech:
Here's the video of the Georgetown University speech: