Andrea B. Cuao, 28 Jan 2007 14:13 hours
Barranquilla, Colombia 

Human Experience and Emancipatory Discourse

So, I had a very interesting class this semester in which we explored different authors and other actors in society that through their discourse have impacted emancipation movemnts, and good actions in other people.

For this, the students considered all types of different characters from Bono to Tutu and from Bob Marley to Rigoberta.

In this section I invite you to discover a little more about Bono than U2.... this was a presentation by two classmates Andres and Juan Carlos. SO here it is.



:.:.:.:.:.:.:.: BIOGRAPHY :.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.


Paul David Hewson (born 10 May 1960), better known as Bono (pronounced Bonn-oh), is the lead singer and occasional rhythm guitarist of the Irish rock band U2. Bono is also known for his humanitarian work in Africa and his efforts in cancelling the debt of poor third world countries.

Paul Hewson was brought up in Glasnevin, Dublin. His mother, Iris Rankin Hewson, was Protestant, and his father, Brendan Robert Hewson, was Roman Catholic. When asked whether he would call himself a Catholic or Protestant, the singer is reported to have said, "I always felt like I was sitting on the fence." His mother died on 10 September 1974 of a brain hemorrhage at her father's funeral, when Bono was fourteen years old. Many U2 songs, especially from the early albums ("I Will Follow", "Out of Control", "Tomorrow", focus on this part of his life.

He attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School, an Ecumenical school, which was the first of its kind in Dublin. During his childhood and adolescence, Bono and his friends were part of a surrealist street gang called Lypton Village, where one of the rituals was nickname-giving. He had several names: first, he was "Steinvic von Huyseman", then just "Huyseman", then "Houseman", then "Bon Murray", "Bono Vox of O'Connell Street", and finally just "Bono".

"Bono Vox" is an alteration of Bona Vox, a brand of hearing aid. The phrase in Latin translates to "good voice". "Bona Vox" was the name of a hearing aid shop they regularly passed on North Earl Street, just off O'Connell Street, in Dublin. It is said he was nicknamed "Bono Vox" after the shop by his friend Gavin Friday because he sang so loudly he seemed to be singing for the deaf. Initially, Bono did not like his name. However, when he learned it translated to "good voice", he accepted it.

In 1976, Bono responded to an advertisement by fellow student Larry Mullen, Jr. to form a band, as did Dave Evans (also known as The Edge), brother Dick Evans (who soon left the band), and Adam Clayton. The remaining four formed a band named 'Feedback', before changing the name to 'The Hype' and then settling on U2. Initially Bono sang, played guitar and wrote songs. As The Edge became a better guitarist, Bono was relegated to vocals, although he often plays rhythm guitar and harmonica.


Bono's stage personas for the Zoo TV Tour, "The Fly" and "Mr. MacPhisto".Bono married his longtime girlfriend, Alison "Ali" Stewart, on 21 August 1982, in an Anglican ceremony at a chapel on the Guinness family estate. The singer has mentioned in several interviews that his stint in U2 and relationship with Ali began around the same time. The couple have four children: Jordan (born 10 May 1989), Memphis Eve (born 7 July 1991), Elijah Bob Patricius Guggi Q (born 18 August 1999) and John Abraham (born 21 May 2001).

Following the Enniskillen bombing in 1987, several newspapers claimed Provisional IRA paramilitaries had put Bono on a hit-list for his "fuck the revolution" speech following the bombing that left 11 dead and 63 injured on 8 November 1987. The singer had been advised to cut his on-stage outburst from the Rattle and Hum film but it stayed. Some papers suggested the film's charity London premiere on 31 October would have to be cancelled. It wasn't, and U2 all turned up, although their attempts to busk in Leicester Square were prevented by crowds and police.

In 1992, together with U2's guitarist The Edge, Bono bought and refurbished Dublin's two-star 70-bedroom Clarence Hotel and converted it into a five-star 49-bedroom hotel, which quickly gained a reputation as one of the most stylish (and expensive) hotels in the city. The hotel was also home to the now defunct niteclub, The Kitchen which was located in the basement of the hotel.

Bono is almost never seen in public without his sunglasses on. He has said in a Rolling Stone interview that the reason is he has "very sensitive eyes to light. If somebody takes my photograph, I will see the flash for the rest of the day. My right eye swells up. I've a blockage there, so that my eyes go red a lot. So it's part vanity, it's part privacy, and part sensitivity."

Bono is on the board of the Elevation Partners private equity firm which attempted to purchase Eidos Interactive in 2005 and has since gone on to invest in other entertainment businesses.

Humanitarian work
In a 1986 interview with Rolling Stone magazine Bono explained that he was first motivated to become involved in social and political causes by seeing one of the benefit shows staged by Monty Python's John Cleese and producer Martin Lewis for human rights organization Amnesty International in 1979. "I saw 'The Secret Policeman's Ball' and it became a part of me. It sowed a seed..." The seed led to Bono and U2 being performers on Amnesty's Conspiracy Of Hope tour of the US in 1986 alongside Sting who was one of the Secret Policeman's Ball performers seen by Bono. It also led to Bono's participation as a performer in the Band Aid and Live Aid projects organized by Bob Geldof - another Secret Policeman's Ball performer - with whom Bono later collaborated as an organizer on the 2005 Live 8 project. Bono's commitment to Amnesty has endured and when U2 contributed a live performance to Amnesty's 2001 benefit, Bono introduced the song by referring to "The Secret Policeman's Ball - which is a mysterious and extraordinary event that certainly changed my life..."

In 1984, Bono sang on the Band Aid single "Do They Know it's Christmas?/Feed the World" (a role that was reprised on the 2004 Band Aid 20 single of the same name). He also performed at the Live Aid (in 1985) and Live 8 (in 2005) benefit concerts. Since 1999, he has become increasingly involved in campaigning for third-world debt relief and the plight of Africa.

In March 2002, Bono travelled to the White House for a special private meeting with President George W. Bush, who had just unveiled a $5 billion aid package for the world's poorest countries that respect human rights. He also accompanied the President for a speech on the White House lawn. He stated, "This is an important first step, and a serious and impressive new level of commitment... This must happen urgently, because this is a crisis."

In May 2002, Bono took US Treasury Secretary Paul H. O'Neill on a four-country tour of Africa. Later in that year, Bono set up an organization called "DATA", which stands for Debt, AIDS, Trade in Africa. The focus of the organization is to raise awareness about what he claims are Africa's unpayable debts, uncontrolled spread of AIDS, and unfair trade rules that hurt the continent's poor citizens.


Bono meets Brazil's President, Lula da Silva about world poverty eradication.Bono made a speech during the inauguration of Paul Martin as Canada's prime minister, who in turn pledged to help with the global crisis. In 2005, in a time that some claimed Martin was facing "political destruction", Bono spoke on CBC Radio "bashing" Martin for being slow at increasing Canada's foreign aid. Following this a spokesperson for the Prime Minister pointed out that the budget has seen an 8% increase to aid and that "Rather than set an artificial deadline, the prime minister has focused on real increases measured in real dollars each and every year."

In early 2005, Bono, Ali Hewson and New York-based Irish fashion designer Rogan Gregory launched the socially conscious line EDUN. This has been an attempt to shift the focus in Africa from aid to trade. By utilizing factories in Africa, South America, and India that provide fair wages to the workers and practice good business ethics EDUN will hopefully create a business model which will encourage others to invest in developing nations.

Later in the year, before Paul Wolfowitz was chosen to replace James Wolfensohn as president of the World Bank, Bono was spoken about as a serious candidate for the position. United States Secretary of the Treasury John Snow said about Bono on the ABC news talk program This Week: "He's somebody I admire. He does a lot of good in this world of economic development." The selection process for the position is by member governments, however, and his selection was considered unlikely.[citation needed]

In December, Bono was named by TIME as a Person of the Year, along with Bill and Melinda Gates. An article by former senator Jesse Helms appears in a special issue of May's Time magazine, "Time's 100 Most Influential People".

On 2 February 2006 Bono spoke in advance of United States President George W. Bush at the 54th Annual National Prayer Breakfast, held at the Hilton Washington Hotel. In a speech peppered with biblical references, Bono encouraged the care of the socially and economically depressed. His comments included a call for an extra 1% "tithe" of the United States' national budget. His Christian views were brought into harmony with other faiths as he noted that Christian, Jewish and Muslim writings universally called for the care of the widow, orphan, and stranger. President Bush appeared uncomfortable receiving praise from the singer-activist for the United States' increase in aid for the African continent. Bono continued by saying much work is left to be done to be a part of God's ongoing purposes.

In May, Bono became Editor of The Independent newspaper for a day in aid of the (RED) charity.

In February 2003, 2005 & 2006, Bono was among the nominees for the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2004 he was awarded the Pablo Neruda International Presidential Medal of Honour from the Government of Chile, one of only 100 recipients


Criticism
Along with Bob Geldof, Bono has come under fire from journalist George Monbiot for getting too close to those in power, and therefore running the risk of legitimising their actions. Monbiot dubbed the pair "Bards of the Powerful". They have also drawn criticism from Bianca Jagger for "trying to patent the language of poverty reduction" and that his relationship with George Bush and Tony Blair amounts to little more than a "mutual admiration club".

Bono has also been criticized for his connection with the war game Mercenaries 2: "many people around the world have been shocked to find out that you are a part owner, through Elevation Partners, of Pandemic/Bioware producers of “Mercenaries 2” a war game that simulates the invasion of Venezuela in the year 2007.".

Bono, along with the rest of the band U2, has also come under criticism for moving part of their multi-million euro business empire out of Ireland for tax reasons. Commenting on the decision to move his assets to a tax shelter, Joan Burton, the finance spokesman of the Irish Labour Party commented:

"Having listened to Bono on the necessity for the Irish Government to give more money to Ireland Aid, of which I approve, I am surprised that U2 are not prepared to contribute to the Exchequer on a fair basis along with the bulk of Irish taxpayers.”

As the leader of the "Drop the Debt" Campaign, Bono has been strongly criticised in asking the top twenty-five wealthiest countries to waive the debts owed by the poorest countries, in effect requesting their own taxpayers to subsidise it. The criticism was underlined by virtue of the fact that U2 has recently moved his accounts base to Amsterdam in order to avoid tax payable on artists royalties - a tax artists in Ireland wouldn't have had to pay up to recently. This, coupled with his charity campaigning has led to accusations that he is two-faced

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Some Lyrics attending social/conflicts issues
Yes...

I can't believe the news today
Oh, I can't close my eyes
And make it go away
How long...
How long must we sing this song?
How long? How long...
'cause tonight...we can be as one
Tonight...

Broken bottles under children's feet
Bodies strewn across the dead end street
But I won't heed the battle call
It puts my back up
Puts my back up against the wall

Sunday, Bloody Sunday
Sunday, Bloody Sunday
Sunday, Bloody Sunday

And the battle's just begun
There's many lost, but tell me who has won
The trench is dug within our hearts
And mothers, children, brothers, sisters
Torn apart

Sunday, Bloody Sunday
Sunday, Bloody Sunday

How long...
How long must we sing this song?
How long? How long...
'cause tonight...we can be as one
Tonight...tonight...

Sunday, Bloody Sunday
Sunday, Bloody Sunday

Wipe the tears from your eyes
Wipe your tears away
Oh, wipe your tears away
Oh, wipe your tears away
(Sunday, Bloody Sunday)
Oh, wipe your blood shot eyes
(Sunday, Bloody Sunday)

Sunday, Bloody Sunday (Sunday, Bloody Sunday)
Sunday, Bloody Sunday (Sunday, Bloody Sunday)

And it's true we are immune
When fact is fiction and TV reality
And today the millions cry
We eat and drink while tomorrow they die

(Sunday, Bloody Sunday)

The real battle just begun
To claim the victory Jesus won
On...

Sunday Bloody Sunday
Sunday Bloody Sunday...


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Mot hers of the Disappeared

Midnight, our sons and daughters Were cut down and taken from us

Hear their heartbeat

We hear their heartbeat
In the wind we hear their laughter
In the rain we see their tears
Hear their heartbeat
We hear their heartbeat
Night hangs like a prisoner
Stretched over black and blue
Hear their heartbeat
We hear their heartbeat

In the trees our sons stand naked
Through the walls our daughters cry
See their tears in the rainfall


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Bono's Speech at Elevation Tour

"When I was a boy, my first impression of America, was a man walking on the moon. And, Neil Armstrong, 1969. I thought, I thought these Americans are mad, they are mad. But I thought what this country can do, what these people can do when they put their mind to it its incredible. John F. Kennedy was the one, in 1963, he said: “By the end of the decade, we are going to put a man on the moon”. Well, it’s not because it was on everybody’s mind; it just was the right thing to do. It’s what we are asking now. George Bush, Prime Minister Bair, and all the other world leaders to do. We are asking them to do something extraordinary. Not put a man on the moon, more like put mankind back on earth. We have the technology, we have the resources, we have the know how, to end the extreme poverty. If we have the will, and I believe we have the will. Others have the civil rights movement; others tore back the iron curtain, that’s what this generation, that’s what’s up to us, our moon shot, out putting a man on the moon. We are going to end extreme poverty; we are going to make poverty history. That’s what’s fallen to us to do. And I believe that’s not an impossible adventure. And I believe in 50 years, they are going to look back at this moment and they’ll say, there were some people at a time who said, its not ok to have child die from the lack of a 20 cent immunization, Its not ok to have a child dying from the lack of food in its belly in the 21st century, that’s not ok anymore. And I know you know that. But id like you to tell President Bush that and Mr. Blair that and any other politician you see. So we are looking for a million Americans to e-mail us, and join the ONE campaign. Were not looking for your money, were looking for your voice."

Andrea Barriga, 7 Jun 2005 14:42 hours
Warzawa, Poland 

Polonia... en pocas palabras!

Como les conte pasé 2 meses en Polonia, realizando una practica con AIESEC. Llegue el 8 de Febrero.. y hacia un FRIOOOoooooooO!

Esa fue mi primera impresión sin duda alguna, que frío tan HP! Me fui en Bus desde Nürnberg, y ahora recuerdo, que la única persona que fue a despedir (porque ya todo el mundo andaba de Vacaciones!) fue Paz mi amiga de Chile (que risa guey)(ando con full mexicano ultimaente.. lo siento!), porque precisamente iba a ser parte de un proyecto llamado PEACE.

PEACE, lectja toleranci o algo asi.. mejor dicho PEACE lesson of tolarance, es un Pbox organizado por AIESEC SGH en Warsaw (Nota: Estos manes tienen un LC de 100 personas.. npi cuantos intercambios.. incontable.. pero manejan como 3 o 4 proyectos al mismo tiempo; muy impresionante!) Entonces reunieron a 28 personas de 23 paises diferentes, para viajar por Polonia y hacer workshops sobre cultural understanding, tolerance, world issues etc, en colegios.

La experiencia, una de las mejores de mi vida! Conocer tanta gente joven, y poder transmitirles un mensaje super positivo, y poder comprometerlos un poco por estos temas... simplemente no tiene precio (como la promocion del nats! jeje)

Polonia, es obviamente un país ex comunista.. se siente en sus calles con mas de 1 edificio igualito al anterior.. Es decir, digase que Barranquilla hubiera mas de 10 Vialla Andalucias... del mismo color y todo! Las fachadas son feas. Pero no se dejen engañar señores y señoritas.. por dentro, se ve que pronto entraran a la Union Europea.

La vida del estudiante: Los estudiantes de Polonia, son un caso especial.. en ambos universidad y colegio. Llegue a tener contacto con ambos, en la U por los AIESECos y en los colegios pues porque eran por asi decirlo, mis alumnos. Los de la U, visten rebien, andan de moda y estudian full.. son muy comparables con los colombianos de hecho. La diferencia es que ellos no pagan por educacion, nosotros si! Los dormitorios en comparación con Alemania, todavia son comunistas... de a tres en un cuarto que alemania solo seria para uno. 8 baños y una cocina (grande pa q) como para 60 personas... pero eso si.. todo el mundo tiene que ver con todo el mundo.. hay fiestas todos los dias y nadie se queja (en Alemania, despues de 8 meses, no conozco sino a 2 de mis vecinos.. vivimos 15 en el piso!.. y cuando hize una fiesta me llamaron a la Polizei! :S) Son totalmente sociables, cuando yo llegue todo el mundo en el piso me fue a visitar.. porque ni idea. la colombiana, la cosa rara!

Los alumnos.. Mhh.. rara cosa! Podriamos decir que la mayoria dice que su pais es una mier... y eso era lo que mas me ponia GRRRR. porq yo la estaba pasando tan la verg.. en polonia, y habian mil cosas que hacer, y ellos solo se quejaban, y se quejaban y se quejaban. Dependia mucho del status social y del tipo de ciudad donde vivian.. si vivian en un rural, no creian en si mismos ni creian tener oportunidades! Los de las ciudades, saben que ir a la U no es tan dificil, y tiene en general muchos sueños..

Todo fue un reto!.. Sacarle animo a la gente, que creyeran en si mismos, y mostrales que su país valía mucho la pena y que deberían estar orgullosos de Polonia. Claro.. pero luego se murió el papa y hasta y llegó!

La muerte del Papa: por coincidencias de la vida estaba en Polonia cuando el papa se murio.. y por suerte en la ciudad, por desgracia no en Cracovia, pero en Varsovia. GUEYYY, eso fue realmente intenso.. es que de acordarme se me pone la piel gallinosa.. el dia que murio mi amigo el gringo, la dutch touch y yo nos fuimos a tomar una cerveza, pues sabiamos que el papa estaba enfermo, pero no pensamos que se fuera a morir morir, (despues de 3 semanas casi, de que si de que no.. pues nos fuimos por las cervezas!) Derrepente buscando un bar.. (todo cerrado! y ya sospechabamos nosotros!) el unico abierto, tenia la tv prendida anunciando que el habia muerto.. pero como de polaco ni papa le preguntamos al bartender y nos dijo "El murio" casi llorando valga la aclaración.. con una tristeza incomparable.. de un hombre de metro 80???? mas grande que schwazeneger.. me impresione! Entonces, nos fuimos a la catedral y habian aprox. 6000 al frente llorando y rezando.. celebraban la misa, y lo que NUNCA NUNCA se me va a borrar de la mente son las 6000 arrodillandose!!!!!! si ARRODILLADOS en la calle 6000 oersonas! regresando tomamos el metro, y habian personas abrazadas llorando.. todo el mundo lloraba.. a mi hasta se me aguaron los ojos.. pero el gringo estaba haciendo chistes pesados y se me quitaron las ganas de llorar.. esa semana solo dimos clases 3 dias los demas hubo misas y celebraciones..El significado del Papa es grande en Polonia, era la unica persona capaz de protestar contra el regimen comunista, y hoy Polonia esta mucho mejor que otros paises excomunistas gracias a el.... Por eso en cada pueblo la calle principal lleva su nombre, Jana Pawel II y por eso, su muerte causo tanto impacto entre los polacos.


Los ultimos dias (los mios en Polonia.. no los del Papa):

Y ahora eramos los PEACEmakers llorando... toda la gente del proyecto debia decir chao! todos regresabamos a la casita... fue muy rico conocer a gente taaan coool de todo el planet .. ellos saben que estan en my heart for ever!.. Plus, las fiestas estuvieron BUEEENAS.. y las promesas siguen vivas.. la mayoria al menos (esto si me lo reservo!) Espero volver a verlos pronto.. el gringo viene este fin de semana a Nürnberg,(es que esta en Praga en un curso o algo asi!) Y Andac, la sweet baby, me consigio un trabajo en turquia no se si podre ir espero! A Amsterdam voy como sea, antes de que cierren los coffee shops! Y espero que algun dia me den ese beso... (tambien me lo reservo!)

En fin, de Polonia, puedo hablarles dias.. y si algun dia tienen la oportunidad de ir, no la pierdan! Quedaran maravillados con sus paisajes y las contradicciones que en ellos se encuentran (comunista VS. mercado, ciudad VS. rural)... y especialemente con la amabilidad y hospitalidad de su gente, que muchas veces me hizo sentir en Colombia.

Andrea Barriga, 7 Jun 2005 13:35 hours
Nürnberg, Germany 

De Alemania y otros Demonios...

Hace 8 meses llegue a Alemania, es horrible pensar la rapidez con la que ha pasado el tiempo! Y aunque ha sido rapido, lo que se ha convertido en costumbre, en un estilo de vida! Ayer fui al areopuerto a reservar mi tiquete de regreso.. nunca pense que iba a estar tan triste al hacer eso.. casi y se me sale la lagrimita!

Alemania, realmente no tiene nada de especial.. Nürnberg, limpio, seguro, pero muerto.. que ciudad tan aburrida!!! Es horrible! Nadie esta en la calle.. no hay vida en las noches.. (o sera que yo no la puedo pagar!?) Y si vamos a hablar de los Alemanes.. peor; son la cosa mas extraña del mundo, en la Universidad los ves todos vestiditos, bien puppis, tienen que estar en lo último en la U... las reglas son, el que tenga el folder mas grande de fotocopias, es la verga! El que come y se sopla las narizes en clase.. es lo maximo! (Es horrible, el otro dia sentada con otra colombiana, me conto como un Aleman, en clase vino y saco un pimenton (!?!?) y un cuchillo... y lo empezo a partir ahi y a comer en clase)..

Me sali del tema... el punto era, como lo pense al principio, que son una cosa en la U.. los mas serios y antisociales.. y derrepente los si hay un festival de cerveza o que se yo un festival rock, se van a los extremos de pesados.. hacen unas locuras, q en nuestros paises no se ven! en serio! Y entonces, dite tu, la pasaste rerico con unos alemanes el fincho en uno de estos Volkfest(los festivales donde solo se va a tomar cerveza), te los encuentras en la U el lunes.. y es como si no hubiera pasado nada. De vaina y te saludan! Uno no se hace amigos ni nada de eso...la confianza aqui lleva su tiiiieeeempooooo!

Y apesar de que los alemanes son como son (es asi) no podemos generalizar, hay uno (0.0000000000001%) q son unos bacanes!..

Lo único bueno de Alemania (a parte de que es un lugar seguro) es la multiculturalidad. la verdad me parece muy cool montarme en un bus y oir mas de 3 idiomas diferentes.

En los 8 meses que llevo aca debo decir, que la vida se me ha hecho dulce, gracias a todas las personas que he conocido, y que simplemente nunca podre olvidar. Mi mejor amiga, la del alma, es de Bulgaria, la otra que anda con nosotras es una Rusa. Luego mis mejores amigos en AIESEC son un Rumano, un Indio, una de Trinidad y Tobago y una de Senegal. Y tres Alemanes que simplemente no son normales para su medio...

Al principio, me costaba trabajo entender a los alemanes, sigo sin entenderlos, y tampoco es que le ponga mucha dedicacion al asunto! El hecho es que, hay que darse cuenta que para ellos la adaptación a uno también es dificil. Y Alemania no es como Colombia, que al que llega se le recibe con amor, cariño y paciencia! En Alemania, todos esperan que tu sepas todo 48 hr. despues de tu llegada, si muestras hablar Aleman, es que ya lo sabes todo, y por eso la vida aca es muy sola. Todos hacen lo que tienen que hacer y punto. Nadie te pregunta si sabes o no, tu lo sabes y hasta ahi llego. Es como decir, que no esta entre su Job Description preguntarte y por eso no lo hacen. Así que uno es el que debe querer! No tan complicado como parece y es un aspecto cultural bastante especifico para describir Alemania, como sociedad individualista que es.

La cultura alemana es algo particular!... Y TODAS las personas con las que tengo contacto, han tenido dificultades para adaptarse.. o simplemente no se han adaptado..o ni intentan! Es algo muy triste.. cuando veo a todos estos niños comiendo y hablando en clase.. me pregunto si se les cruza por la mente el mundo! Si alguna quisieran salir de Nürnberg.. o si alguna quisieran preguntarnos sobre nuestros países.

Pero eso no me perturba, porque cuando llegue pense en traer un poco de mi cultura a la gente de Alemania.. y no conté con el hecho, de que hoy 8 meses despues no sólo un 0.000000000001% de Alemanes sabe algo más de Colombia, sino que gente de Bulgaria, Rumania, Polonia, Senegal, Trinidad y Tobago, Rusia.. etc etc saben algo de mi pais.. y por eso; por eso señores y señoritas es que casi se me sale la lagrimita en el areopuerto.