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What do actor and Democrat Ben Affleck and Republican Cindy McCain, wife of Sen. John McCain, have in common?
Sounds like the opening line of a bad joke, but for the people of the impoverished Democratic Republic of the Congo, the answer could provide a lifeline for a country that desperately needs one.
Affleck and McCain joined forces today to raise awareness about the suffering in the African nation and ask members of Congress' House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights to help coordinate a humanitarian response.
Affleck, who founded a multimillion-dollar nonprofit organization, the Eastern Congo Initiative, that has helped build schools and a radio station, also adds his name to other rich influential white folks helping poor and desperate people of color.
McCain joined the cause when she joined Affleck on a trip to the nation last month after he called asking for her help. Affleck first visited the region five years ago.
What Affleck said he found when he got there was a nation blessed by great natural resources but labored by the world's lowest per capita gross domestic product and widespread violence, disease and poverty.
More than five million people have died in the Congo since 1998.
But why did Affleck pick McCain to help him?
He told an interviewer that after his first trip there, he knew he wanted to do more and kept hearing that McCain shared an interest in helping the region.
For her part, McCain said she knows many worthwhile organizations working in Congo but found few groups who understand the issues the way Affleck does.
I'm not sure what makes rich actors and singers adopt countries the way actor Sean Penn has pulled Haiti to his breast or actor George Clooney and former President Jimmy Carter has toiled in the Sudan.
But whatever it is, I would like to sprinkle it over all the guests walking the red carpets at Hollywood award shows, so the spirit of generosity could spread.
And I can't ignore one final observation.
Is it me, or does it seem like rich white folks care more about Africa and the Caribbean than rich black folks? Is the news media ignoring the international acts of kindness of black stars? Or do they not exist?
Comments: (6)
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By: Hector on 3/08/2011 8:53PM
How come outside of Oprah Winfrey, do black celebrities rarely contribute there time and energy in traveling to places like the Congo to help the less fortunate. The author of this article tries to speculate with some silly conspiracy in that the media is somehow hiding this information from people. Now anyone with any common sense knows that is untrue and a wickedly foolish assumption.
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By: Kboogie on 3/08/2011 9:39PM
There are some rich, black celebrities helping out or have helped out in Africa. Its that the media doesn't include or cover their story as much for whatever the reason. All you gotta do is Google them. But, yes there should be more of us (African-American's/West Indian) whom have the means and wealth to contribute to do just that.
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By: David on 3/09/2011 9:53AM
"Is it me, or does it seem like rich white folks care more about Africa and the Caribbean than rich black folks? Is the news media ignoring the international acts of kindness of black stars? Or do they not exist?"
Paul Shepard is asking the question but why isn't he and other BLACK members of the BLACK media finding out for sure instead of speculating. We know white mainstream media loves to show white faces in Africa, the Caribbean and even America helping poor unfortunate Negroes. It makes for a great photo opportunity.
Black artist like Stevie Wonder and other have talked about and financially contributed to Africa for decades but would only get a fraction of the media attention that white celebrities would. At the end of the day showing whites helping people of color sells newspapers magazines TV shows etc. That sort of "The Blind Side" mentality of white people have to help us black people sells.
Rather than feeding into racial stereotypes, Paul Shepard and black media people need to report the facts. Find out for sure then write your article. There are enough white racist on blackvoices already commenting. we don't need a BLACK voice validating their narrow minded opinions.
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By: Frazier West on 3/09/2011 1:22PM
It would be nice to hear facts about what Blacks are doing to help others. There is so much help needed right here in the United States where Blacks with the means are not helping single mothers, folks in the Black communities who are facing foreclosures from loss jobs and Blacks who want to work but we are not helping to create jobs and network to help other Blacks. White are getting home loan modifications on two and three houses and Blacks cannot get a home loan modification on one house.."Where is the CHANGE IN AMERICA"? We are the enemy to ourselves, jealous, crime, no respect for each other. Those who can help do not want to show favor to our own people when whites do it daily towards one another..jobs..etc... The list of problems we have as Blacks towards each other grows everyday.
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By: You Know Who on 3/11/2011 11:26PM
We owe Africa nothing, white-mans silly games, America's in the sewer, the wealthy can travel and eat, sleep good.Take care of home first Blackvoices is a pittyfull excuse for conversation.Nothing plus nothing equals nothing.
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By: DOMINUS219 on 3/09/2011 10:48PM
Keisha, when the earthquake in Haiti happened a lot of black americans-myself included-donnated money. The problem is that a lot of that money never reached the Haitian people and is still being held in banks.
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