Two weeks ago, Tai Anderson, ONE member and bassist for the band Third Day, posted his thoughts on the suffering in the Horn of Africa on the band’s website. Tai’s reflections echoed what I’d heard from others and in my own head. They’ll likely resonate with many ONE members. We’re grateful to be able to share them on here. -Mark Brinkmoeller
How many of you are experiencing disaster fatigue? I know I am. Honestly, I’m still reeling from 9/11, from the Tsunami, from Katrina, from Haiti, from tornadoes in the southeast and Missouri. Even, in that overwhelming list, I left out the earthquake in Japan and dozens of other catastrophic events. It’s just too much to wrap my mind around. It’s way too much to wrap my heart around.
This week, I’ve been tuning into the famine occurring in the Horn of Africa. Honestly, you have to look pretty hard to even find the coverage of it. But, in the last few weeks, 29,000 children have died of starvation in the region. My response: I’m ironically more worried about losing 10 lbs before our next tour. I’m just being honest. You see, 10 years ago, I would have been weeping, but I’m just tired of having my heart broken. However, that’s not who I want to be.
If there is one thing that inspires me more than music, it is when people come together for the common good. Chicago’s annual music festival, Lollapalooza, brought together my twin loves for a weekend of fun. With a clipboard in hand, a smile on my face and a couple other great ONE members by my side, I was able to help in the effort to add almost 3,000 new voices to ONE.
Shangaan electro is a new genre of music from South Africa that’s gaining lots of media hype. NPR music blogger Otis Hart describes it as “a hyperactive hybrid of the traditional mbira, or thumb piano, and synthesizers that can reach 180 beats per minute.” If you can’t imagine what that might sound like, listen to it in this video below. That girl can dance!
Adam Levine of Maroon 5 says ONE’s new iPhone app will make it easier for members to raise their voices against poverty. This post was originally published on Huffington Post’s Impact.
Last week, the band Third Day posted ONE’s petition on the budget to their Facebook page. The post prompted more than 200 comments, but Tai Anderson, bassist for Third Day, noted that these posts “drew huge criticism, some healthy dialogue, and some flared tempers.” In a post on the Third Day blog, Tai attempted to answer some of the critique and offered his own perspective. — Mark Brinkmoeller
We have some great news from our friend and supporter Vusi Mahlasela — he’s coming out with his third album, Say Africa. You might remember Vusi from his contributions to A-List series on the ONE Blog, a showcase of up-and-coming artists and musicians from Africa.
Looks like the tables have turned — now we’re writing about his music! Say Africa, produced by legendary bluesman Taj Mahal and recorded at the Dave Matthews Band’s studio in Charlottesville, Va., is a collection of songs with a strong message of hope not only for South Africa, but the entire continent. Mahal lends vocals and banjo throughout the album, and Angelique Kidjo shares her voice and energy on “Nakupenda Africa.”
Check out this recent music video from Vusi’s YouTube channel:
As Vusi says, “Let all those who share in Mandela’s greatest wish — to see an Africa at peace with herself — SAY AFRICA!”
Yesterday, we got a chance to hang out with Christian rockers Sanctus Real (that’s pronounced “reel,” not “re-al,” as we found out!) at ONE’s DC office. The Toledo, Ohio and Nashville, Tennessee-based band is in town to perform at the International Justice Mission’s annual gala -– and learn how they can get involved in the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease, too.
Band members Mark, Dan and Pete took a moment out of their busy schedule to answer a few questions for their fellow ONE members. Here’s what they had to say:
So, you guys are here in Washington – that’s a big deal if you want to make some moves in the world of global poverty! What do you hope to get out of this trip?
ONE is campaigning to ensure that the Congressional budget does not cut foreign assistance programs like Feed the Future that help people break the cycle of poverty and hunger.
The Horn of Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 60 years. More than 11 million people, mostly nomadic pastoralists and farmers in south-central Somalia, north-eastern Kenya, and south-eastern Ethiopia, are severely lacking access to food.
2011 marks 30 years since the first cases of AIDS were documented. Take a closer look at the specific, achievable goals we must hit by 2015 to make this year the beginning of the end of AIDS.
As aid agencies warn more than 9 million people could be affected by a food crisis in East Africa, world leaders are failing to keep their 2009 promises to tackle the causes of chronic hunger and support farmers in the world's poorest countries.
