Bono, Vanity Fair, and the Fate of Africa

If you ever needed any evidence that Africa is in deep shit, here it is. To quote, Paul Theroux, THERE are probably more annoying things than being hectored about African development by a wealthy Irish rock star in a cowboy hat, but I can't think of one at the moment.

Rock star Bono is going to edit an issue of Vanity Fair dedicated to African poverty. (Article in the NY Times if free for a couple of days.) It will succeed largely in making the rich readers of VF feel better about themselves, but for Africa nothing good will come from it's current status as a cause celeb. Leonardo DiCaprio can receive applause at this year's Academy Awards as he denounces "blood diamonds" to the diamond-drenched throng. Al Gore is lauded by people who are driven to the Vanity Fair after-party in SUVs and stretch limos.

I don't doubt Bono's sincerity. I do have questions about his sophistication in these matters. Africa is pretty well fucked unless there are major changes to the world's economy. And the first thing that needs to happen is that the wealthy countries need to abolish agricultural subsidies. And that is not going to happen. The West will pay all sorts of lip service to alleviating African poverty, but they will not do the one thing that will start the process. Anyone with even a slight interest in the fate of Africa should read this article about U.S. agricultural policy.

As Americans were long protected from the real costs of oil, we are very much protected from the real costs of food. The cash costs as well as the environmental costs. But we don't want to hear that. More to come.