With Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner, it’s time to think about end-of-the-year charitable giving.
As someone who was involved with Invisible Children in the midst of the Kony 2012 ordeal (in fact, you can find me on the front page of the Kony 2012 website), I know the importance of being intentional with charitable giving.
However, simply having good intentions isn’t good enough.
Research is imperative when deciding where to donate and what causes to support. Let me give you an example.
A few days ago, I was looking through my Instagram feed when I came upon a picture from my favorite band, Bastille.
I can appreciate the desire to help out with the Ebola epidemic, because the situation really is horrible. And no, I’m not talking about Ebola in America; I’m talking about Ebola in West Africa.
However, I really hate Bastille’s approach. Here are two reasons why.
1. “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” is the most offensive Christmas song in existence.
Band Aid was created in the 80s so a ton of British and Irish musicians could get together and raise money for Ethiopia. The song they recorded was called “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”
Setting aside the fact that much of Africa doesn’t even celebrate Christmas (47 percent of the population is Muslim, making it the number one religion on the continent), the song has a ton of problems.
It lumps all African countries together, and makes the continent sound like a barren wasteland where people sit around and wait for white people to come and save them. (Spoiler: it isn’t.)
For example, some of the first lines of the song read:
There’s a world outside your window
And it’s a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing
Is the bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it’s them instead of you
I’m sorry, what?
“Thank God it’s them instead of you”? How is that helping anything?
While that line might be the worst, it doesn’t get much better as it goes on:
And there won’t be snow in Africa this Christmastime
The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life
Where nothing ever grows
No rain nor rivers flow
Do they know it’s Christmastime at all?
Here’s to you
Raise a glass for everyone
Spare a thought this yuletide for the deprived
If the table was turned would you survive
Fun fact: There (probably) won’t be snow in Florida this Christmastime either. What does that have to do with anything?
In addition, there are factual errors. Quite a large chunk of Africa is a rainforest, and there’s a pretty major river located in Northern Africa called The Nile.
Mind you, they have changed some of the lyrics for the 2014 version, but it doesn’t get much better.
“The only hope they’ll have is being alive”? Yeah, still not great.
2. Bono has a bad case of White Savior Complex.
Apparently before recording the 2014 version of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, Bono said to the group of young, attractive, talented, mostly white Brits that his goal is for there to be no need for Band Aid.
“We want to make Band Aid history,” he said. “If every country had the values of Great Britain and kept the promises they make at these big G8 meetings and the like, we wouldn’t have to be standing here.”
-via Billboard
Here’s a rough translation: If the rest of the world were as awesome as Great Britain, West Africa wouldn’t be in this shitstorm.
Fun fact: Great Britain’s imperialism is what caused most of the problems in Sub-Saharan Africa. So maybe we shouldn’t all have the values of Great Britain. At least not all of them.
I don’t hate Great Britain by any means. But I wouldn’t say it’s perfect, just like I wouldn’t say the United States is perfect.
What I am saying is that if Great Britain hadn’t had its imperialistic values of the past, Band Aid wouldn’t be standing there.
Yet Bono is blind to this. It’s not his fault that Great Britain’s colonization of Africa made the region unstable. (Not to mention he’s Irish, not British.) However, he does have the responsibility to use his platform effectively, in a way that doesn’t perpetuate unjust stereotypes.
He doesn’t realize that Western culture and Western government isn’t always the answer to everyone’s problems.
White people don’t have all of the answers.
I don’t doubt that the group of artists recording an updated “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” have good intentions. However, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and factual errors is doing more harm than good. It would be better to record a new song that tells the true story of West Africa and the Ebola epidemic. And while they’re at it, maybe they could get some West African musicians involved.
So when you’re looking to make your year-end charitable donations, I ask that you have more than just good intentions. Have good actions as well.
Are there any causes you have researched and support year-round? I’d love to hear! Let me know in the comments!
It’s definitely hard to choose which charities need your help the most. I joined The Junior League this year in hopes that it can make a difference, at least in my own community. I would love to know some other charities that are worth while!
That’s great! I love volunteering, because then I know what work is actually being done. I recently volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in my community, and I got to meet the man whose house I was building! It was awesome.
That song is horrible! At no point would I thank God others are suffering like they are. Goodness. Thank you for sharing this!
Isn’t it terrible?! I can’t believe that 30 years later people are still singing it and playing it on the radio.
Choosing charities is so vitally important, knowing which ones are doing good vs which ones aren’t is such a hard thing to measure. Great post!
Thank you so much! 🙂
You provided an interesting analysis. Thank you for your insightful post. Often when I hear that song I only remember the funds that it help raises. I was not aware of the lyrical meanings.
Thank you so much! I love when artists use their platform to raise money and awareness for different causes, I just hate when it comes at the expense of the reputation of people they are trying to help.
I’ve always hated that song for the same reasons that you point out. However, I think that the issues behind the song are far more complicated than just white people helping black people. If you look at the original line up, you’ve got artists of all colors involved in order to raise money. And on this version, there’s quite an eclectic mixture of races and ages represented as well. While I don’t agree with Bono’s statement about the values of Great Britain, I can understand why he works on things like Band Aid–he (and the other participants) are ridiculously well-known, and people (for better or worse) listen to their music and what these artists say. So, if Bono or Bastille or Seal or Chris Martin says, “Hey, let’s help the people suffering from Ebola,” some people who wouldn’t donate otherwise will dig into their pockets to help out. People will respond in a way to them that they wouldn’t if a West African band put out a charity record. I’m not saying it’s a good (or even acceptable) song, and I wish they’d picked something (ANYTHING) but that one, but I think their intentions of raising awareness are in the right place.
Those are some great points! I know from experience that White Savior Complex is real (and I wrote about it here: https://www.andpossiblydinosaurs.com/what-i-wish-i-knew-before-going-to-africa/) and I definitely think Bono has it. And while there are a lot of different ethnicities in the video, I think the whole mentality of rich western cultures saving people in Africa is destructive.
I definitely agree with artists using their fame to raise awareness and money for different causes, I just think “good intentions” gets in the way of genuinely good actions. 🙂
I think it’s important to choose and support charities that mean a lot to you, not just charities that are “popular” or “in the news.” I donate to several charities that are close to my heart and encourage others to do the same <3
Definitely! It’s important to really appreciate the charities and organizations you’re supporting. They should be near and dear to you. 🙂
I never realized the way it sounds, but you’re absolutely right! I think the most important part of the season is giving, however that means to you 🙂
Definitely! Giving is such a great feeling 🙂
Wow. I don’t think the song is that good, but if it does bring lots of money through sales then that’s never bad. Perhaps they just should have thought of a different song with very different lyrics.
I wouldn’t say we’re that bad in GB though, not fair to all be tarred with the same brush 🙁
Katie <3
While I would agree that it’s good to bring in money, I would say it’s bad to perpetuate stereotypes of an entire population, especially when these stereotypes can bring more problems to the continent.
And I definitely don’t think Great Britain is all bad! I think it had a rocky past, just like the US had a rocky past (Japanese internment camps, for one). I specifically don’t like Bono (who’s Irish), and don’t see all British people that way in the slightest. 🙂
I agree. There are definitely problems with the song!
Glad you’re not a hater 😉 <3
While I would agree that it’s good to bring in money, I would say it’s bad to perpetuate stereotypes of an entire population, especially when these stereotypes can bring more problems to the continent.
And I definitely don’t think Great Britain is all bad! I think it had a rocky past, just like the US had a rocky past (Japanese internment camps, for one). I specifically don’t like Bono (who’s Irish), and don’t see all British people that way in the slightest. 🙂
I always call this season “‘Tis the Season to Give!” Giving can be in the form of love, good thoughts, and donations! I find myself feeling more generous during the Holidays! <3
Definitely! I love being generous, especially to my loved ones around the world. 🙂
We are using our Advent Countdown as a giving opportunity each day.
That’s an awesome use of an advent calendar! Much better than the candy I always got from it 🙂
Choosing a charity is such a hard thing at times. I love that people are generous during the holidays, my family always adopts a family for the holidays and helps get them a tree, meal and gifts for their family.
That’s an awesome way to give! We did that in my high school. Every homeroom class got a family, and we all came together and fundraised / donated gifts for the family.
Bono is just amazing. I love giving back whenever possible – some of us have so much and give so little.
It’s awesome that you love giving back! Do you have any favorite charities you support?
Very insightful post. I think giving is great but it’s important to know about who your giving too and what’s being done with the money.
Definitely! I’m all about giving, but it’s important to make sure your money is going where you think it’s going. 🙂
Wow, I never really stopped to listen to the lyrics. Very eye opening. Thanks.
Thanks for reading! 🙂
Interesting post.
I always support the Rape and Incest National Network, but what blew my mind this summer was when people donated to ALS for the Ice Bucket challenge, and then freaked out when they saw that only a small percentage of the money goes to research — most goes toward operational costs, raising awareness, etc.
And I’m like, “People. Nonprofits have these really cool things called ‘Annual Reports.’ Maybe you should look at one before you write a check.”
Exactly! I’m always looking at Annual Reports before donating. I don’t mind if an organization has a high overhead cost as long as they’re using the money effectively. But I definitely want to know how much is going to overhead, just in case.
I have been known to drop money on whatever charity is popular. I don’t have a platform. I don’t do research before donating. But then again, I don’t get mad when I hear things like what you stated about the ALS challenge (which my husband’s entire station did and donated). I greatly appreciate people like you who feel so strongly towards the rights and well being of others, and make it out in front for those of us that aren’t in the know.
Can we laugh about how I am literally wearing my Kony 2012 shirt right now…
I LOVE that you’re wearing your Kony 2012 shirt! I still rock mine and people think I’m doing it ironically. My claim to fame? I was in the video for a whopping 12 seconds. 🙂
Very true – research before donating is important. I was an international affairs major in college and had a class on African political systems and learning about how some charities are actually hurting the local economies was very eye opening.
That would be such a fascinating class! I took International Criminal Law, which I LOVED, but it didn’t really touch on charity.
Well I feel like a freakin’ idiot, or I’ve been listening to some seriously changed up versions of Do They Know It’s Christmas… because I never paid that close attention to the lyrics and this has always been one of my fave Xmas songs… wow!
I’ve heard it on the radio in the past (thankfully not yet this year), and it’s always been the original version. It’s crazy how so many songs seem peppy and happy, but once you listen to the lyrics, they are either offensive or don’t make any sense! “Every Morning” by Sugar Ray is one example: “Every morning there’s a halo hanging from the corner of my girlfriend’s four-post bed. I know it’s not mine but I’ll see if I can use it for the weekend or a one-night stand.” WHAT?!
Ditto to what Chelsea said. Gah.
These were really interesting points I always hear that song at Christmastime and have NEVER actually paid attention to the words…wow! I think I will change the station when I hear it this year! Anyway, great post!
Thank you! 🙂
Good points. I’ve never heard of BandAid30 or the song but I do think we should do our research when giving.
Thank you!
This is everything I’ve felt about this song!! Thank you so much for this! It’s awful, offensive, wrong and depressing… and yet it is played all. the. time!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who fumes every time it gets played on the radio! 🙂
Wow! these are some good points. I never had actually listened to the lyrics of that song.
It’s crazy how many songs seem super happy and peppy until you listen to the lyrics! There are quite a few that I can’t take seriously any more.
You know, I never thought of that songs in such manner. You do bring up some great points.
Thank you!
I am now employees by the charity I love the most. Eastside Baby Corner provides all the “stuff” a child needs to grow and thrive to over 500 kids each week in King County Washington. You can learn more at http://www.babycorner.org!
That’s so exciting! Congrats! I’ll definitely check it out 🙂
Great post with good insight… will definitely consider when donating to charities this holiday season!
Thank you so much!
You bring up some interesting points
Thank you!
Such a good caution as we all mean well during the holiday season and want our charitable gifts to make the most meaningful difference. Thanks!
Such an important message. Thanks for sharing this.
I agree that you really should research before donating to companies. It’s amazing how so many “charities” have so little money going to the actual cause and more to the paychecks of the board members who work the charities.