“As first World consumers, we have tremendous power. What we collectively choose to buy, or not to buy, can change the course of life and history on this planet”. This excerpt exemplifies the key directive of Project (RED). This project has been set up by U2 lead man, Bono. Project (RED) unifies popular retailers such as The GAP, Apple, Motorolla, and American Express. Each retailer has created a separate (RED) line of products. Half of the profit from these products goes directly to HIV/AIDS in Africa.
I think this project was much over due. Despite many criticisms, consumerism is a growing facet in our society. If citizens have the option of purchasing products to support a worthy cause like the pandemic in Africa, they now have the freedom to make a purchase choice based on their values. Bottom line: it’s a choice that wasn’t there before.
So I would highly recommend you at least check out the website: www.joinred.com
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4 comments:
congrats on ur new blog dude! hope all is great
Assem
MemZ.ca
I believe Apple's RED Ipod is actually, well, red. Apparently $10 of the purchase goes to fighting aids.
Nice blog btw. JT
Well said Fred. Being the pessimist that I am my only concern is that America has more interest in the African market while displacing another culture for an invented culture over curing the aids virus. Consumers do have a choice, and their interests should focus on their local “communities” (should community be your choice of word here). Moreover, people should not “buy” into the idea that Africa or for that matter African’s need our help, need our guidance, need our civilization of the “savages” while forced to adopt our political and economic policies. Our complex world, may have no answers – but as the western world progresses, one must recognize that with any creation there must come great destruction. Put differently the west needs turmoil in Africa so that, 1. African’s think they are inferior, and equally as important, 2. The West continues to think they can save Africa by buying a red pair of sunglasses.
As global becomes more and more a catch phrase in our language our identities become increasingly invented by the products we consume. We are perpetually cheated by what we are perpetually promised and when the trend of saving Africa ends their will soon follow another trend that needs our help, and more importantly needs our money. Meanwhile, looking out your front window will only provide the same – a person who may need your help – we should try not to turn a blind eye to the invisible in our own backyard.
Good talk.
Great comment Troy. I must appologize because I was not totally clear about what the project actually does. 100% of the money raised goes towards buying anti-retrovirals for people who have already contracted HIV. So it doesn't particularly focus on curing the disease as much as helping the people who have contracted it to stay alive. The drugs are distributed directly to them and not to their governments.
I completely agree that viewing this problem as an "African issue" is innacurate. When looking at making headways into taking on this pandemic, we see it as an individual issue. As Ghandi once said, "Be the kind of change you want to see in this World". My belief on the topic is tied very closely to this statement. If we want to make an impact it must come from within - getting tested, knowing your status and acting accordingly. If we as the "west" don't change our attitude, we may soon be on the opposite side of the HIV stick.
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