On the Move: Bono's New Book

Bono was the only person on my mind that early morning in Digital Media. My teacher had just given my class an assignment, one where we were to create a video to dedicate to a worthy individual. Not necessarily a person who'd changed the world, but to someone with a great influence on humankind. When the teacher came around with her notebook to write down our subjects, I watched her in the corner of my eye as she approached my chair. "So, who are you dedicating your video to?" she asked. Taking a deep breath, I blurted out the man's name and she looked at me, puzzled. "You know, the lead singer of the band U2." I said. She still had a very curious look on her face, a little too condescending for my liking. At that moment I realized that she'd never heard of the man's great humanitarian efforts. To her, he was just that rock n' roll singer with the sunglasses who sang "Beautiful Day". At that point, it occured to me that there were probably a lot of people who weren't aware of the singer's efforts. And, even though Bono's singing and those damned sunglasses are really why he's famous, his humanitarian efforts shouldn't go unnoticed. I think they make him more... well, human.

When Bono speaks about poverty in Africa, it's easy to tell that this issue is very dear to his heart. When he speaks, you can hear a raw plea of desperation in his voice as he persuades U2 fans during shows to join him in his efforts. Bono heavily promotes the One Campaign, an organization dedicated to relieving Africa of its poverty, during a brief moment in the show. His drummer, Larry Mullen Jr., crosses his arms as he and his fellow band mates watch calmly as Bono emotionally describes how poverty in this day and age is shameful. And, for any other singer, this would be an uncalled for preaching. That's what the difference is between Bono and some of the other A-list celebrities who seem interested in Africa's problems.

Faith is another major factor in Bono's motivation to spread the word about Africa. "God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house... God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives... God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war... God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them." He said these very words to President Bush and many others at The White House on February 2, 2006. Bono was giving a speech at the National Prayer Breakfast to promote the U.S. and its plans to send more financial aid to Africa. He even quoted the Bible, saying,"'do to others as you would have them do to you.' (Luke 6:30) Jesus says that.'" After reading his entire speech, I included many excerpts from it into my Digital Media video. I felt that such strong words needed proper recognition. And, in the process, I might make a few others realize the strength in Bono's conviction.

The W Publishing Group, as I've recently discovered, is also dedicated to recognizing Bono's powerful speech. They are planning on releasing a 64 page book filled with pictures Bono once took on a trip to Africa as well as his entire NPB speech. Due to be released this year on April 3rd, I hope it will inspire and make believers out of us that Bono, in all the years that he's promoted Africa, has not been doing it for the fame. He has a motive that doesn't cater to his supposed rock n' roll ego or his band's pocketbook. As proof from his brilliant speech, it is obvious that Bono has high hopes and a genuine interest in Africa. With the release of this book, I hope that it becomes more apparent to the sceptics of this rock n' roll star that his ambitions are genuinely heartfelt.