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samantha1170
Correspondent
Joined: 01 Jul 2005
Posts: 1145
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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 Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 06:59 |
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JAY KAY'S TV REALITY CHECK
Hi everyone, I found this small article about JK today...
JAY KAY'S TV REALITY CHECK
IF I was stranded on a desert island I would not have a Jamiroquai CD in my survival kit.
But singer Jay Kay has gone up in my estimation after slamming new TV reality show Celebrity Circus being screened in Europe.
Hesaid:"I don't like to see animals do tricks for human entertainment. It exploits their intelligence."
Source: http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/feed/tm_objectid=16922445%26method=full%26siteid=64736-name_page.html
SAMANTHA |
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Catalonia is not Spain
Joined: 12 Jun 2005
Posts: 566
Location: Edinburgh
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| Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 11:26 |
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Interesting. Thanks, Samantha. 
However, I don't know if that's the kind of 'news' that a serious newspaper should publish- |
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deesh
Joined: 23 Feb 2002
Posts: 2717
Location: +001
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| Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 15:59 |
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^interesting thing to say..may i ask why not?
along the same charity lines, i read this a few weeks ago when reading up on the aftermath or effect of live 8...jay's mention is in bold, so you don't have to read the whole thing, although to me it's pretty interesting 
http://www.ricenpeas.com/docs/live8.html
Mission or Missionary?
Anyone remember Live 8?
Almost nine months ago to the day, nine concerts were held simultaneously around the world with the objective of convincing G8 world leaders to change their policies towards Africa. The initiative was the brainchild of Irish singer, songwriter, and political activist Bob Geldof and famed British director of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Richard Curtis, as well as U2’s leading man, Bono. The event was staged twenty years after Live Aid, a fundraising concert for the famine in Ethiopia.
Although organisers hailed Live 8 as a success, critics say it has achieved little, if anything at all. The next day's media coverage led with Geldof's “mission accomplished” verdict. But who was the mission for, and are these pop stars the new-age missionaries?
Celebrity endorsement is now seen as almost critical to the success of any serious campaign. But celebrities like Geldof and Bono do not just endorse campaigns; they create them. In fact, one could argue that Geldof has totally reinvented himself as a celebrity campaigner.
These icons are showered with praise and cynicism alike for their actions. It is fair to say they are using their status for what they believe to be a good cause. But at times it seems like they are the self-elected mouthpiece for the conscience of the general public. Much like politicians, they are now consulted on other political and moral questions. Rarely does anyone question the education behind these pop stars’ authoritative proclamations on polemic and complex topics such as Africa, pollution, and human rights.
Should we blame the media for giving these pop stars such an unprecedented platform? Perhaps the media is just catering to the celebrity-hungry general public who would rather hear about the diet cheats of runway models than the famine brought on by the recent East African drought. Are we so shallow that we need the face of an actor or singer to lend real currency to any given cause? Regardless, if celebrities are willing to use their status to raise awareness for a campaign, or to help raise funds, then so be it. The problem is that the celebrity egos, whilst caught up in their own altruism, very often short-circuit the possibility that their actions are at times insensitive and uneducated.
Throughout the build-up to Live 8, Bob Geldof came under fire for his lack of consultation with the intellectuals, politicians and representatives of Africa. Instead, he steadily praised Blair and Brown for their commitment to the continent’s problems, whilst his partner in the crusade, Bono, lavished praise on George Bush for his “millennium challenge account,” even though this initiative explicitly links aid to cooperation with the War on Terror. A stark example is the increase in ODA (official development aid) by the US government to Pakistan following their cooperation post-9/11 and in the war in Afghanistan. From a figure of less than US $100 million per year, it has risen to nearly US $800 million. A Christian aid report stated that: “Having a new quasi-ideological theme to justify most security assistance is extremely convenient for the Bush Administration. Policy objectives that could not have been pursued in the Pre-September 11 security environment can now be repackaged and sold as part of the counter-terrorism effort. In addition, wrapping new security assistance programs in a counter-terrorism cloak allows the administration to provide support for repressive regimes and aid to states verging on, or currently involved in, armed conflict.” Christian Aid’s head of policy, Charles Abugre, argued: “The campaign has been too superficial. A serious occasion was turned into a celebration of celebrities.”
When Geldof was questioned as to why there were so few African acts in the Live 8 programme, his response was: “For all their great musicianship, African acts do not sell many records. People wouldn't watch.” Thus, an event whose sole purpose was to help Africans excluded them from performing. If, in fact, he recognizes that African acts indeed have “great musicianship,” then wouldn’t an opportunity to demonstrate their talent to an audience of three billion gain them the very recognition they themselves cannot harvest? Beyond that, the sheer insensitivity of not allowing Africans to be part of their own solution is both arrogant and paternalistic. Firoze Manji, the co-director of Fahamu, an African social justice network and a member of G-Cap, recounts how the African coalition had planned a concert in Johannesburg in early July to be held in one of the townships. According to Manji, a meeting of Oxfam GB, Curtis, Geldof and Kumi Naidoo cancelled it in favour of Live 8.
The umbrella campaign Make Poverty History (MPH) gathered serious momentum on lead up to Live 8. People of all ages, persuasions and walks of life sported the trendy wristbands (amid unfathomable rumours that they had been produced in sweatshops). They were available online where one could make a donation of whatever one could afford in exchange for a band. Ironically enough, throughout the campaign, street vendors were seen on Oxford Street and other major shopping areas in London, selling them en masse out of cardboard boxes. This concisely demonstrates the danger of making campaigns a la mode; people just wanted to mimic the stars of the campaign (which included actors, singer and models) instead of actually contributing to the cause. Even the uber-ambitious title of the campaign, “Make Poverty History,” highlights the naivety and superciliousness of the people behind it.
Geldof’s name soon became synonymous with the self-congratulatory Live 8: so much so, that if it failed, he failed. It had to work! The cynics claim he sugar-coated the Gleneagles result, asserting: “On aid, 10 out of 10. On debt, 8 out of 10. On trade ... it is quite clear that this summit, uniquely, decided that enforced liberalisation must no longer take place.” He then finished with a flourish: “That is a serious, excellent result on trade.” His evaluation did not agree with that of Senegalese economist Demba Moussa Dembele: “People must not be fooled by the celebrities: Africa got nothing.”
Kumi Naidoo, the veteran South African anti-apartheid campaigner and current chair of MPH's international umbrella, the Global Call to Action against Poverty (G-cap), had delivered the coalition's official response: “The people have roared but the G8 has whispered. The promise to deliver [more aid] by 2010 is like waiting five years before responding to the tsunami.” These comments, however, were not tabloid headlines the following day. Instead, the words of the self-elected representatives duped the public into believing “mission accomplished” (as they put it). This could be seen as damaging to the campaign as it may lead people to think that Africa’s problems are solved. And indeed, where is the media attention these days? Nine months on and the silence from MPH is deafening.
Before Live 8, Geldof was closely associated with Fathers for Justice, an organization aimed at helping fathers gain custody of or access to their children. Again, Geldof seemed to make a self-indulgent crusade. His BBC documentary, which followed him around the continent he so champions, was simply called Geldof in Africa. Throughout the programme, it is clear that Sir Bob has a genuine affection for the people and a credible awe for the countries he visits.
But he descends upon African villages talking of the massive changes he is working towards, and he falls into the same cliché of presenting the white man as a saviour to Africa. In fact, all dressed in white, with his sandals and his flowing hair, performing miracles such as Live Aid and Live 8, he could be mistaken for the Second Coming.
The argument can be reduced to very simple terms; all the grandstanding, back-patting and preaching could be tolerated, if, in terms of realpolitik, it made a difference. Africa is rich in ways that Europe or even North America could never hope to be, but she cannot utilize her natural resources because of the shackles of Western trade rules and unreasonable, enslaving debt structures. If MPH or Live 8 have helped to pressurize G8 leaders into releasing Africa from the chains that they themselves have imposed, all the better.
Likewise, if Bono has saved even one square mile of rainforest through his campaigning, shouldn’t we say “well done”? Or is it too hard to reconcile Bono’s seemingly green stance with the decadence of the private jet, five star hotel, rock star lifestyle? This hypocrisy is echoed by Jamiroquai’s front man Jay Kay, whose first album was called Emergency on Planet Earth. As the title hints, this album was a call to everyone to save the world from plights such as pollution and corporate greed, yet Jay Kay is known for having not just a Porsche, but a Ferrari, a Lambourgini and a retinue of other cars.
With all celebrity campaigns comes cynicism, and often justifiably so. But this does not mean that we should totally discredit the actions of these crusaders. In spite of the overwhelming egos at large, this is believably all coming from a good place, however misguided that may be. If there is an emergency on planet earth, at least they are trying.
By Gabrielle Tierney
1st March 2006 |
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FunkEducation
Joined: 15 Jul 2004
Posts: 3309
Location: Maracay, Venezuela
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| Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 16:04 |
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| deesh wrote: |
| Likewise, if Bono has saved even one square mile of rainforest through his campaigning, shouldn’t we say “well done”? Or is it too hard to reconcile Bono’s seemingly green stance with the decadence of the private jet, five star hotel, rock star lifestyle? This hypocrisy is echoed by Jamiroquai’s front man Jay Kay, whose first album was called Emergency on Planet Earth. As the title hints, this album was a call to everyone to save the world from plights such as pollution and corporate greed, yet Jay Kay is known for having not just a Porsche, but a Ferrari, a Lambourgini and a retinue of other cars. |
ohhh that was espectacular...
it's really true!!!
| Once upon a time Jay Kay wrote: |
At last! I finally get the chance to express myself and put some of my thoughts on Vinyl
I must be the one of the luckiest people alive and these days isn't easy: because all across our fantastic planet, "the most dangerous animal in the world" continues to kill his brother and his "mother" and anyone else who gets in the way of his maniacal urgency for that paper with a picture of some incredibly generous monarch or extre cheerful dictator on each side, you know, the paper that you think if you had piles of it you'd be really happy, yet it destroys so many, the paper which some people have so much on that they don't even know how much they've got (I think they call those people adnan!) Don't get me wrong, currency is a necessary and useful thing when used properly, when it's used to feed children and starving people, save what little rainforest there is, not just Brazil but across the globe, protect and respect the wondrous creatures we should share the space with, when it's in the hands of organisations which fight political muscle and expose corrupt individuals. You see, we can't win and reclaim the morals and values which have been lost in the hands of greedy fools unless we can play them at their own game: a poor man could never help a poor man, (whatever happened to Robin Hood). I bet if we all give Greenpeace, Oxfam and Friends Of The Earth the money we give to the government in tax each year, which they use for charming buffet lunches with equally useless puppets from some other country to talk about a "manifesto", the situation would certainly "manifest" itself.
We must finance the people who are going to try and save the world, not sell arms and weapons to starving, dying people so they can die a bit quicker. What's the idea? Population, our biggest problem, will be controlled when all the "little" unimportant people in the "Third World" (nice way of saying "shithole" and not being part of it) are dead. It's got to be a piss take hasn't it? no. The answer to all our problems is for us not to be wasteful, ignorant people we can so often be, (I know, it's not our fault, we were told it was a pinnacle of achievement to be that) but show compassion and rightousness by wiping senseless foreign debts which not only cause the death of people but the whole planet because these countries then have to raise cash in any way they can to pay invariably that means chopping down trees, beautiful majestic trees, which are the life giver of the earth, helping the process which gives us life, creating shade, softening buildings and urban environments, de-stressing everyone from the rigours of living today, one tree containing more spirit that a thousand humans.
If only people had been given a real higher education, then we might understand the fringes of the laws of Karma. Natural law, what goes around always comes around; Columbus might have reached South America and taken all the gold and made slaves of the Indians, but look what they gave him and his boys (us), which is only just getting a grip now but it's here and its picking off the weak and unfortunate, rich, useless and bored. Work it out. It seems to be time for the big payback. Natural law. Try and read the book one day, everyone's got it.
At the rate we're going we've got 10 years to turn this world's head around. I can only think of the worst if we don't. But somehow inside I know we can. I for one have faith in people like you, (let's face it, you must be on the right track if you bought this album!) Know which side you're standing on, don't let people tell you you're wrong when you know you're right, if you do, we may all regret it, because it will be all over. I think it's time we had a Revolution.
To all native Americans, expecially the Iroquois: don't ask me why "Iroq" forms the basis of the name Jamiroquai, the name is a natural occurrence, and it's put forward with the utmost respect to all of you because I know you are right. I feel and hope you can understand this: always remember, there are many Wasichus who want things to be the same as you and all your brothers and sisters across the nation which was once yours.
JAY K |
hehehe i had to post it...
see wot the man has become now... hehe
_________________
This is FunkEducation, supporting the 1992-1998 Jamiroquai!!
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Ivy
Joined: 25 Jan 2005
Posts: 336
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| Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 19:08 |
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Last edited by Ivy on Mon Oct 20, 2014 05:50; edited 1 time in total |
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deesh
Joined: 23 Feb 2002
Posts: 2717
Location: +001
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| Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 19:21 |
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those are outstanding words that were written in eope - they were so raw and untainted. i love the bit about the third world (shithole comment). i always remember that, along with the 'turning this world around in 10 years sentence and the ditty about the black musicians.
i believe it's human nature to be hypocritical, that i will say.
i just thought the article was a good read, not only for that paragraph, but for the rest of it. i think this has been raised a few times by a few different media outlets (jay's material possessions representing his humanity), because i've seen this before.
it's an op-ed piece, which is an opinion editorial and this woman obviously has a strong one. |
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Ivy
Joined: 25 Jan 2005
Posts: 336
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| Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 20:00 |
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btw...thank you deesha..i didn't know what exactly happened after the live 8 until reading this article u posted. very revealing ....
Gabriella did make some valid points , live 8 was essentially a scam only benefiting hungry fans, stars, and politicians......that means i sweat (bucketloads),got pushed, and walked my way thru phili for nothing!!!  ok i admit it i got to see jay-z and linkin park oops im one of those fans ..well i thought I was getting a good deal: free concert with a favorite artist perfoming, while sort of helping out by being there  . |
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Andrew
Joined: 26 Oct 2004
Posts: 1015
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 02:15 |
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| deesh wrote: |
| This hypocrisy is echoed by Jamiroquai’s front man Jay Kay, whose first album was called Emergency on Planet Earth. As the title hints, this album was a call to everyone to save the world from plights such as pollution and corporate greed, yet Jay Kay is known for having not just a Porsche, but a Ferrari, a Lambourgini and a retinue of other cars |
I've never understood the whole "owning a stack of cars is hypocrisy if you care about the environment" argument. I mean, these things are like functional art right...? No one would give a toss if Jay owned painted artworks of the equivalent value, would they? And even if someone owns 1000 cars, they can only drive one at a time, right? Most people drive some form of motorised vehicle, don't they?
I think half the reason J gets bashed for being a car nut is because what he owns are such visible and desirable objects. No mention is ever made of the energy efficiency of his house and property (in terms of water collection, recycling and sustainable organic farming practices is concerned - I'm not sure about where he gets his electricity from, but I read somewhere he was planning on installing a small hydro-electric generator for that), let alone the donations that get made to worthy causes.
I mean, what would make these people happy? Give away everything and go live in a squat again? Get around on a push-bike everyday? Walk everywhere? I think they would laugh. He's worked damn hard for what he's got, and I think he deserves it.
In my opinion, he's given the planet far more than he's taken from it, and the world is a better place for him having been on it. |
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samantha1170
Correspondent
Joined: 01 Jul 2005
Posts: 1145
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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| Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 10:42 |
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Beautifully written Andrew - I totally agree!
SAMANTHA |
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deesh
Joined: 23 Feb 2002
Posts: 2717
Location: +001
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| Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:19 |
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word andrew. those things jay does are indeed admirable - like the recycling and the other bits you mentioned.
i just thought this would be good to post in here, for conversation actually.
truth - i don't know how i feel about the opinion she wrote. i think it's great that he feels so passionate about these animals and speaks up about it. but then there is another part of me that feels different. if i try to explain it, i'll sound crazy ...my difference isn't something that i fault on jamiroquai, it's all people. people talk a lot, and that's easy, but why don't more people back up their talk with action? maybe they do..i don't know. being humble about what you do for others is smart and true. sounds weird, but this is a constant thing i struggle with inside.
people/they = in general, not jamiroquai.
i asked sola about the responsibility he felt entertainers had to charity or helping others and he told me none. it took me awhile to digest his answer. i know their job are musicians, not world fixers, and i totally respect that, but can't fully understand it. plus, i feel their music prompts good vibes and feelings that inspire change and activism (for me personally), so that is their gift of healing in a way.
it's very personal to me and i'll ramble forever and i know you guys don't want to read my rambles..haha. most people don't understand where i'm coming from with this viewpoint, or where i'm going with it and i end up coming across how i didn't intend to come across - so i'll end the post here..  |
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