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U2's Bono saves Africa one op-ed at a time |
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Written by Jeff Dubbin
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Wednesday, 22 April 2009 |
Bono is a rock star, a humanitarian and a contributing columnist for the New York Times. His most recent column suggests, if I read it right, that our souls are redeemed through the ways we help “the many, not the lucky few.” He states that, “In the roughest of times, people show who they are. Your soul.”
People are my soul? Eww, get them off.
Especially if Bono is one of them. I don’t want that echo chamber of poetic license anywhere near my soul – and not because I do not like his music (I don’t). It’s because every time I peer into those signature Armani glasses, something deep inside me shudders. Maybe it’s my soul. And I’m not the only one who smells something funny underneath.
Being all ‘Bono’ about it cannot help any cause other than Bono...
I am in no way suggesting Bono does not do enough for the world. I even tend to agree with his stances on issues that plague the less fortunate and beset liberal sensibilities. Rather, I think he does too much, up to and including crafting a persona that oozes, “I am Bono and I am an important humanitarian.” Wouldn’t each minute he spent in Africa be even more amazing if he did not make such a big deal about being there?
Instead, he seems to believe that because some people like his music, everyone should assume his opinions are automatically well-conceived or important. I do not know why else he should try to pass off mere slogans as rational thought. Consider this line about foreign aid: “It’s not charity, it’s justice,” followed by absolutely no discussion of what the difference is, if indeed there is one, which is supposed to be better and why.
I admit he seems to have done much for others. But I cannot say he has done it with appropriate humility or glasses choice. Being all ‘Bono’ about it cannot help any cause other than Bono.
[NY Times, South Park]
Jeff Dubbin is a TheSequitur.com senior editor.
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Comments
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I think you misinterpreted that. He means that we are our souls, not who we appear to be physically.
Posted by SeagirlX, on 04/23/2009 at 10:46
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