How do you think Bono got to be such a champion of human rights?

Question

You either love him or hate him but at least he is standing up to do something. Is music the universal language? How much of an influence does his music have on bringing world leaders together for a cause?

Answer 1

Frankly, I can't name one U2 song right now, but I think Bono has used his fame as an artist to evolve into a social activist who is empowered by his popularity, and by the long post above, he is quite active in charity works. I read this book, THE END OF POVERTY by Jeffrey Sachs, an economist that talks about absolute poverty in much of the world and how we could end it by working together; Bono, I noticed, wrote the forward to that book. He appears to care about the plight of the world, especially the third world. It's wonderful that somebody does--those poor people have so little.

I can't imagine what it's like to put your children to bed hungry at night, or walk 10 miles for a pound or so of grain. That's the kind of thing Bono works to alleviate. I commend him for it.

Someone else here questioned how much of his own money does he give. I'm sure it's plenty; he just doesn't make a public announcement. His time is valuable too. I think it's wonderful that people who have so much to give are starting to give back to the world. Take Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. Look at the stars that are active in One.org. And of course there's my favorite, Al Gore, who took a bad situation and is using his notoriety to fight global warming. It may take people like these to save the world. It certainly won't be our government.

Answer 2

If I was as rich as he is I would be a champion of human rights too. However, sitting behind a desk all day for measly pay kind of limits my ability to impact the world. His music has zero impact on bringing the world together for a cause, it proves more that even political leaders are obsessed with celebrity.

Answer 3

He's more about self-promotion than actually helping. He calls himself a "rock star", speaks in the third person, rails at people who sold their Live8 tickets on eBay and actually donates very, very little of his own HUGE wealth.

What's to like? He doesn't have an iota of integrity and his political involvement is suspect. Tony Blair asking HIM what should be done was a damning indictment on the state of the world. Musicians should stick to what they know best. Their fame doesn't automatically make their thoughts and opinions valid, but we live in a world where celebrity is everything.

Tis icky.

Answer 4

I liked the Band in the 80's. No clue as to why he is held up in such a way. I am sure his heart is in the right place. But I wonder what % of the money raised actually goes to any causes.....

Answer 5

Humanitarian work

In a 1986 interview with Rolling Stone magazine Bono explained that he was motivated to become involved in social and political causes by seeing one of the benefit shows staged by Monty Python's John Cleese and producer Martin Lewis for human rights organization Amnesty International in 1979. "I saw 'The Secret Policeman's Ball' and it became a part of me. It sowed a seed..." In 2001 Bono arranged for U2 to videotape a special live performance for that year's Amnesty benefit show. Introducing the performance, Bono referred to The Secret Policeman's Ball as "a mysterious and extraordinary event that certainly changed my life..."

Bono and U2 performed on Amnesty's Conspiracy Of Hope tour of the United States in 1986 alongside Sting. U2 also performed in the Band Aid and Live Aid projects organised by Bob Geldof. In 1984, Bono sang on the Band Aid single "Do They Know it's Christmas?/Feed the World" (a role that was reprised on the 2004 Band Aid 20 single of the same name). Geldof and Bono later collaborated to organise the 2005 Live 8 project where U2 also performed.

Since 1999, Bono has become increasingly involved in campaigning for third-world debt relief and raising awareness of the plight of Africa including the AIDS pandemic. In the past decade Bono has met with several influential politicians including United States President George W. Bush and Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin.[29] During a March 2002 visit to the White House, after President Bush unveiled a $5 billion aid package, he accompanied the President for a speech on the White House lawn. He stated, "This is an important first step, and a serious and impressive new level of commitment. ... This must happen urgently, because this is a crisis."[29] In May of that year, Bono took US Treasury Secretary Paul H. O'Neill on a four-country tour of Africa. In 2005 Bono spoke on CBC Radio alleging Prime Minister Martin was being slow about increasing Canada's foreign aid.[30]

Bono spoke in advance of President Bush at the 54th Annual National Prayer Breakfast, held at the Hilton Washington Hotel on 2 February 2006. In a speech peppered with biblical references, Bono encouraged the care of the socially and economically depressed. His comments included a call for an extra 1% "tithe" of the United States' national budget. He brought his Christian views into harmony with other faiths by noting that Christian, Jewish, and Muslim writings all call for the care of the widow, orphan, and stranger. Bono continued by saying much work is left to be done to be a part of God's ongoing purposes.[31]

Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa was established in 2002 by Bono and Bobby Shriver, along with activists from the Jubilee 2000 Drop the Debt Campaign. Some of DATA's goals are to eradicate poverty and HIV/AIDS in Africa. DATA encourages Americans to contact senators and other legislators and elected officials to voice their opinions.

In early 2005, Bono, his wife Ali Hewson, and New York-based Irish fashion designer Rogan Gregory launched the socially conscious line EDUN in an attempt to shift the focus in Africa from aid to trade. EDUN's goal is to use factories in Africa, South America, and India that provide fair wages to workers and practice good business ethics to create a business model that will encourage investment in developing nations.[32]

Product Red is an initiative begun by Bono and Bobby Shriver to raise money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Bobby Shriver has been announced as the CEO of Product Red, whilst Bono is currently an active public spokesperson for the brand. Product Red is a brand which is licensed to partner companies such as American Express, Apple Computer, Converse, Motorola, The Gap and Giorgio Armani. Each company will create a product with the Product Red logo and a percentage of the profits from the sale of these labelled products will go to the Global Fund.

Answer 6

His fame gave him a platform.

Answer 7

U2 is a Christian rock band. Bono is a compassionate Christian. If you're not compassionate, you're not a Christian.

Answer 8

Lots of Money, but I can't fault him for it.

Answer 9

Why won't he donate 50% of his wealth to his causes?