Africans unite to save Norwegians from dying of frostbite, page 1


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ATS Members have flagged this thread 5 times
Topic started on 30-12-2012 @ 02:05 AM by LarryLove
MOD NOTE: Video is a spoof.

Norway needs your help and Africa is spreading the warmth through the donation of radiators in the hope that lives can be saved from the biting cold. Millions are suffering and frostbite is and should be preventable in the 21-first century. Radiators save lives. Give today.



Africa for Norway – charity website

Of course the video is a spoof, but one that carries a very serious message. Africa’s image in the West is so askew and without context that, to many, the picture of a child’s hunger-bloated belly has become synonymous with the continent. Magnum founder Robert Capa said: ’if your pictures aren't good enough you aren’t close enough.’ Richard Dowden, Executive Director at The Royal African Society, reminded himself when reporting on Africa, ’if you describe it as chaos you haven’t worked hard enough.’ The West hasn’t worked hard enough at getting close enough to understanding what it means to be African.

Of course, there is real chaos but created and organised by governments to allow it to stay in power. However, if you were asked to think of an image that represents Africa (and be honest with yourself), what comes to mind first? While there is unreal (preventable in most cases) suffering born from war and/or natural disaster, where is the context in the news reporting and NGO appeals? Why does it take a picture of a dying child for people to give? And whose responsibility is it to learn about the real Africa: ours or should we rely upon the media and NGOs?
edit on Sun Dec 30 2012 by DontTreadOnMe because: (no reason given)



reply posted on 30-12-2012 @ 02:14 AM by Ophiuchus 13
reply to post by LarryLove


This is the type up uplifting positive frequency vibrating activity that 1 appreciates seeing here on EA*RTH. African supporting their Norwegian brotheren. Its like the connection the atoms have in the space between the positive-negative & neutral components that make up the whole link of atoms of same to other atoms of non same causing the CONNECTION.

snf OP

NAMASTE******
edit on 12/30/12 by Ophiuchus 13 because: (no reason given)



reply posted on 30-12-2012 @ 02:28 AM by OccamsRazor04
reply to post by LarryLove


25,000 people die from Hunger and poverty in Africa every day. Africa is the only continent that is behind schedule for food self sufficiency. When these statistics change we can talk about the pictures of starving children.

Edited to change year to day.
edit on 30-12-2012 by OccamsRazor04 because: (no reason given)




reply posted on 30-12-2012 @ 02:49 AM by LarryLove
reply to post by OccamsRazor04


And while no one can argue the preventable loss of human life is a primary concern, the more I look into the subject, the more I come to understand that humanitarian relief is big business and often NGOs are politically driven and not necessarily putting the lives they intend to save first. Would collective Western attitudes towards Africa change if the media and charities stop portraying the continent as hopeless and in perpetual war and/or plight?


reply posted on 30-12-2012 @ 02:53 AM by LarryLove
reply to post by Ophiuchus 13


And perhaps enlighten us in the West to seek better context in the reports coming out of Africa. Conduct your own straw poll and ask your family and friends what image comes first to mind when thinking about Africa. Is it one that has hope?


reply posted on 30-12-2012 @ 02:56 AM by OrionsWitness
Originally posted by OccamsRazor04
reply to post by LarryLove


25,000 people die from Hunger and poverty in Africa every year. Africa is the only continent that is behind schedule for food self sufficiency. When these statistics change we can talk about the pictures of starving children.


25,000?
Are you sure, its not 25 million?


reply posted on 30-12-2012 @ 03:05 AM by LarryLove
Originally posted by OccamsRazor04
reply to post by LarryLove


25,000 people die from Hunger and poverty in Africa every year. Africa is the only continent that is behind schedule for food self sufficiency. When these statistics change we can talk about the pictures of starving children.


The World Food Programme says 25,000 people die every day. Unacceptable, and I refer you to my answer in a previous post.


reply posted on 30-12-2012 @ 03:07 AM by Ophiuchus 13
Originally posted by LarryLove
reply to post by Ophiuchus 13


And perhaps enlighten us in the West to seek better context in the reports coming out of Africa. Conduct your own straw poll and ask your family and friends what image comes first to mind when thinking about Africa. Is it one that has hope?


@Is it one that has hope?
NO, since 1 was a youth I remember seeing the FEED the CHILDREN type adds and feeling like it seems hopeless there in the Africanaz, for that is where most of the adds 1 seen came from.

Thing is today 1 still sees the same adds its just now more EA*RTH children are shown from Philippines to South Americanaz to EURASIA areas where poverty is in control as well.. There is even now feed the children for Americanaz children as well.

So does 1 feel its intentional to infect the consciousness in a subconscious fashion to further deliver pain in that region minds with what is going on in the Africanaz, with the various images made of Africa 1 iz not sure but with media being attached to possible negative elite influence it is possible. Personally 1 feels they broadcast so much to inform the world for AID that hey this area of EA*RTH needs assistance from the world so they make the visual data more extreme perhaps.

Still 1 is happy to see the African bros/sis assist their Norwegian bros/sis with these heating devices..
and accepted the media can do practice better reporting methods not based on shock value
NAMASTE
LOVE LIGHT ETERNIA*******
edit on 12/30/12 by Ophiuchus 13 because: (no reason given)



reply posted on 30-12-2012 @ 03:09 AM by OccamsRazor04
Originally posted by LarryLove
reply to post by OccamsRazor04


And while no one can argue the preventable loss of human life is a primary concern, the more I look into the subject, the more I come to understand that humanitarian relief is big business and often NGOs are politically driven and not necessarily putting the lives they intend to save first. Would collective Western attitudes towards Africa change if the media and charities stop portraying the continent as hopeless and in perpetual war and/or plight?


It's not portrayed as hopeless. That's why we send aid. There is near perpetual war. Stop that if you want the people to stop thinking there is.


reply posted on 30-12-2012 @ 03:09 AM by OccamsRazor04
Originally posted by OrionsWitness
Originally posted by OccamsRazor04
reply to post by LarryLove


25,000 people die from Hunger and poverty in Africa every year. Africa is the only continent that is behind schedule for food self sufficiency. When these statistics change we can talk about the pictures of starving children.


25,000?
Are you sure, its not 25 million?


thank you, I edited it, that should have been each DAY not year.


reply posted on 30-12-2012 @ 03:17 AM by LarryLove
Originally posted by OccamsRazor04
Originally posted by LarryLove
reply to post by OccamsRazor04


And while no one can argue the preventable loss of human life is a primary concern, the more I look into the subject, the more I come to understand that humanitarian relief is big business and often NGOs are politically driven and not necessarily putting the lives they intend to save first. Would collective Western attitudes towards Africa change if the media and charities stop portraying the continent as hopeless and in perpetual war and/or plight?


It's not portrayed as hopeless. That's why we send aid. There is near perpetual war. Stop that if you want the people to stop thinking there is.


I guess this is what I am trying to get at: when was the last time you read or saw anything in mainstream media or NGO material that offers the full context of the situation and frankly anything positive? Truth be told, Africa is presented to the West as a continent in continual flux, unable to function without aid and with little if any future. Africa should be teaching us about Africa and she deserves more than a food-starved bloated belly as an international image.



reply posted on 30-12-2012 @ 03:21 AM by Goldcurrent
I don't really get the message of this spoof.

Yes, Norway is cold. It is dangerously cold as is Canada. We need natural gas piped in to our homes, businesses, and structures or else we will die. This was done by people. Nations, gov'ts, citizens, and PEOPLE.

Much of Africa need not worry about heat, but they DO need to worry about clean water, and proper agricultural practices. Countries such as Norway and Canada have undertook initiatives to provide infrastructure for its citizens through hard work, political stability, economic prosperity, etc. etc. WITH a much lower population base as many African nations may I add.

What are the people of Africa, it's community leaders, gov'ts, and nations as a whole doing to rectify this? This is the question. Information is out there to undertake these initiatives. Get started. Money is just an illusion as a means for services and goods traded. The people of Africa need to band together to create a better life for themselves. Start building, and THEN maintaining infrastructure.

Throwing money at problems doesn't solve anything. Many Indian Reserves (where I'm from) get lots of gov't $$ to build new housing, hockey rinks, schools, hospitals, etc. But just a few short years later the houses are destroyed, services and buildings neglected, and then the community leaders look to the gov't to give more money for new houses when their previous ones were built only 15 years ago.



If it's not earned it's not appreciated. The community (nation?, continent?) needs to do this on their own so generations after will appreciate what they have worked for and not be so quick to fight over scant resources (in civil wars) but to band together to protect and maintain them.


reply posted on 30-12-2012 @ 03:25 AM by OccamsRazor04
Originally posted by LarryLove
Originally posted by OccamsRazor04
Originally posted by LarryLove
reply to post by OccamsRazor04


And while no one can argue the preventable loss of human life is a primary concern, the more I look into the subject, the more I come to understand that humanitarian relief is big business and often NGOs are politically driven and not necessarily putting the lives they intend to save first. Would collective Western attitudes towards Africa change if the media and charities stop portraying the continent as hopeless and in perpetual war and/or plight?


It's not portrayed as hopeless. That's why we send aid. There is near perpetual war. Stop that if you want the people to stop thinking there is.


I guess this is what I am trying to get at: when was the last time you read or saw anything in mainstream media or NGO material that offers the full context of the situation and frankly anything positive? Truth be told, Africa is presented to the West as a continent in continual flux, unable to function without aid and with little if any future. Africa should be teaching us about Africa and she deserves more than a food-starved bloated belly as an international image.


Want another image? Stop the wars, stop the rapes, stop the 10 million deaths by starvation and poverty every year. How many more would die without said aid? Want an image of a happy smiling child, fix the problems so they are the exception not the rule.

ETA: Let's say you get your way, and we only talk of happy days in Africa. That aid money dries up, how does that help Africa? You want 20 million dead every year?
edit on 30-12-2012 by OccamsRazor04 because: (no reason given)



reply posted on 30-12-2012 @ 03:37 AM by ignorant_ape
reply to post by LarryLove


MEH norgies dont die of frostbite - what they really need is aid shippemts of duty free beer


reply posted on 30-12-2012 @ 03:42 AM by LarryLove
reply to post by OccamsRazor04


One of the serious issues with aid is the overeliance upon it and the effect that has (is) having. An interesting read is Dambisa Moyo's Dead Aid which illustrates the problem with aid and how it has reduced nations to 'beggary', but maintains there is another way using 'access to capital with the right policies.' She sees aid as 'the disease of which it pretends to be the cure' and puts forward some interesting arguments for switching the aid tap off.


reply posted on 30-12-2012 @ 03:53 AM by OccamsRazor04
Originally posted by LarryLove
reply to post by OccamsRazor04


One of the serious issues with aid is the overeliance upon it and the effect that has (is) having. An interesting read is Dambisa Moyo's Dead Aid which illustrates the problem with aid and how it has reduced nations to 'beggary', but maintains there is another way using 'access to capital with the right policies.' She sees aid as 'the disease of which it pretends to be the cure' and puts forward some interesting arguments for switching the aid tap off.


Of course Aid is not needed. The problem is the governments are not looking after the people. They wont start once aid is turned off. If they were willing to look after their people they would, millions are dying. There is no logic in your argument. Also a lot of the aid goes into sustainable things such as wells for drinking water. It's not handing over a bottle of water and leaving.


reply posted on 30-12-2012 @ 03:59 AM by LarryLove
reply to post by OccamsRazor04


But if a different image of Africa played out across the West and into the homes of donors – one which didn't portray the continent as helpless and hopeless – then perhaps local enterprise could really take off and build a strong economical future.


reply posted on 30-12-2012 @ 04:06 AM by OccamsRazor04
Originally posted by LarryLove
reply to post by OccamsRazor04


But if a different image of Africa played out across the West and into the homes of donors – one which didn't portray the continent as helpless and hopeless – then perhaps local enterprise could really take off and build a strong economical future.


So LOCAL enterprise can not take off because of FORIEGN media portrayal? You don't seriously believe that do you?
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