Won't be fooled again! Band aid did not help Ethiopia.

All of us who were around in 1984 dug deep for the people of Ethiopia who were dying because of drought. At least, that's what we were led to believe. It was actually the policies of their government that were killing all of those poor people, and our aid money, for the most part, was diverted to the largest army in Africa and to help bring in "plane loads of whisky" to it's then President.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Ethiopia
• Mitiku Kassa
• Band Aid
• Dictator
• genocide
• ethnic cleansing.

[HUNTERWORLDNATION]

I had no idea as well Tam. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

[TamHickey67]

Dispiriting to say the least, isn't it Hunter?

[HUNTERWORLDNATION]

Yes it is Tam... truly a travesty. However I do have a small positive spin. It does not take away from the fact that people all over the world, came together, to do something selfless...This new information does not sully the intent of the people who were fooled...Nor does it remove the inspiration it fostered. Many people were inspired to help others as a result of that video and song... even to this day.

[TamHickey67]

Hunter, I believe your ideas are almost central to the ideals of all of us at the time. We did work together for the common good, but alas, we were told the wrong things. I only wish we were told the truth from the start.

[ellesse808]

I do really believe that it is worldwide epidemic.... Sad, sad, world... mad, mad world... Much Love, Aki.

[TamHickey67]

It is incredibly sad Aki. All we can do is try to learn from things like this.

[HUNTERWORLDNATION]

Hey Tam, I spent today trying to think of a positive outcome, to cheer you up and I came up with one :) That song inspired and spurred on the Americans to produce their own version, which was called "We are the world". Had the Brits not first done "Do they Know" there would not have been a "We are" Now here is the kicker, Michael Jacksons We Are",raised over 63 million dollars, MJ singed away all rights, saying that all royalties from the song would be donated for famine relief in Africa.

[TamHickey67]

You're right. Perhaps we merely help to exacerbate the situation by the granting of aid.

[TamHickey67]

Absolutely, Andy. Band Aid was carried out with the best of intentions by all concerned.

You make a good point regarding the parallel argument of our being up to our neck in debt whilst somehow spending billions to install puppet regimes in faraway lands.

[TamHickey67]

Good for you Stu! Sad to see organisations that you admire becoming corrupt though.

[TamHickey67]

It is very sad. I just wish I had been better informed at the time. Thank you for such clarification.