Don’t just read history, make history.
Yes, I was able to watch the LIVE 8 concert shown Live at ABC 5 last night.
I’m proud to have witnessed a historical event where people around the world were united not only because of music but more because of a cause. A cause that seeks to make poverty history. Unlike the previous Live Aid concerts, Live 8 is not about raising funds to help Africa. Live 8 is part of a campaign to raise consciousness and pressure powerful leaders of countries who compose the G8 to make a stand in addressing trade justice, dropping the debt and more and better aid. On June 6, 2005, eight of the most powerful men of the world will meet in Scotland to discuss matters that affects lives and the future of the poor countries of the world. They have in their power to decide it, we have the power to press them to do so.
I stayed glued to the TV till near dawn watching the concert bridged and performed simultaenously in London, Paris, Rome, Philadelphia, Berlin, Tokyo, Moscow, Canada and Johannesburg. Many veteran musicians who performed are my favorites, Sting, Bono and U2, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, UB40, to name a few. But what made me endure the marathon concert was not much about the musicians and their music. It is the fulfilling sense of solidarity, of being part of a world united for the cause of humanity. That’s what kept me awake. That’s what gives me reason to struggle and live.
I support this campaign not because of its hype but for our contry’s sake. The Philippines is among the heavily indebted countries of the South. The poor and marginalized of our peoples are the ones who pay the most for the country’s debt. They pay for it with taxes and they pay for it through the social services that the government does not provide because it chooses to pay the debt.
The sun was almost up when I went to bed. I snuggled beside my baby in dreamless slumber, kissed her forehead and whispered to her, “You know baby, the great Nelson Mandela said tonight, “sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great”… I want to be part of that generation. A generation that will build today a brighter future for all the babies of the world like you my darling angel.”
Don’t just read history, make (poverty) history by taking a stand and signing up here: http://www.live8live.com/list/