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Opinion: Not another revival of Band Aid’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’

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As a child growing up in Ethiopia, I was always proud of my rich cultural heritage and the resilience of my people. However, as I grew older and moved to the West, I began to notice a troubling pattern in the way Africa, particularly Ethiopia, was portrayed in popular media and charity campaigns. This pattern is most evident in the persistent revivals of songs like “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid.

40 years ago, Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” was initially released as a rock charity single. As a film enthusiast and music lover, I can’t help but reflect on how this iconic song, while undeniably raising significant funds for humanitarian aid, has also unwittingly perpetuated a narrative that diminishes the dignity and autonomy of an entire continent – Africa. Unfortunately, this recording has often been used to reinforce misconceptions that have long served as justification for Western intervention in Africa.

In 1984, Bob Geldof, who was the frontman for the Boomtown Rats at the time, assembled a group of prominent British and Irish rock musicians to perform “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, a song he co-wrote following his exposure to BBC news about severe famine in Ethiopia. The lyrics of this pop tune express themes similar to those found in Hegel’s 19th century ideas, where Africa was characterized as having no history, development, morality, religion, or political structure.

The lyrics “Where nothing ever grows / No rain nor rivers flow” and “Well tonight, thank God it’s them instead of you” portrayed Ethiopia as devoid of life, arid, and reliant on Western aid. In 1984, this song, paired with distressing famine visuals, oversimplified a multifaceted predicament for the Western audience, stripping away the nation’s rich history, culture, and spirituality, presenting only an image of despair.

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The Ethiopian famine of 1984 was not just a simple natural catastrophe; it was complicated by the ongoing civil war between Ethiopia’s Soviet-allied Derg government and rebel groups, like the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front, who had backing from Western countries. The Cold War political climate transformed this famine into a battleground used for proxy wars, with the U.S. and U.K. offering both humanitarian aid and secret support to insurgents aiming to undermine the Derg regime.

The original Band Aid release set a record for Christmas sales in the U.K., and eight months later, Geldof organized Live Aid, a televised concert that attracted more than a billion viewers in more than 100 countries, or roughly a third of humanity. Broadcast over 16 hours from Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium (since demolished) in Philadelphia, it was a landmark cultural event featuring performances by David Bowie, Madonna, Paul McCartney and dozens more, and was attended by British royalty, including Princess Diana. The spectacle raised an astonishing $50 million in pledges, alongside additional revenue from sold-out merchandise. It was hailed as the pinnacle of humanitarian success.

Despite the enthusiastic Live Aid coverage, there were troubling issues hidden beneath. In his memoir, Fikre Selassie Wogderess, Ethiopia’s prime minister from 1987 to 1989, claimed that out of the $178 million raised by Band Aid Charitable Trust for African relief between 1985 and 1989, only about $20 million actually reached Ethiopia during the mid-’80s. Allegations, which Geldof denied and in one case were retracted by the BBC, suggest that some of these funds might have ended up with rebels. It’s crucial to consider the broader context when evaluating the impact of these relief efforts.

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Reflecting on history as a film enthusiast, I can’t help but draw parallels between the involvement of Western powers in Ethiopia and the Berlin Conference of 1884. The events that unfolded in Ethiopia, particularly during the fall of the Derg in 1991, seem strikingly similar to the way European powers divided Africa for their own gain.

The continuous portrayal of Africa, as exemplified by Ethiopia, as a perpetually troubled region due to Band Aid’s long-standing charity efforts like “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” has had an enduring effect on Africa’s global image. This repetitive depiction, seen in iterations such as Band Aid II (1989), Band Aid 20 (2004), Band Aid 30 (2014) and now Band Aid 40, has significantly shaped the world’s perception of Africa, likely influencing investment, collaborative efforts, and policy decisions.

The lyrics have been edited in response to critics calling the song demeaning and rife with colonial tropes, but it remains a self-congratulatory and tone-deaf exercise. A majority of Ethiopians are Christians; the country adopted Christianity as early as the 4th century AD. Ethiopians knew it was Christmas in the winter of 1984, and they know it now — despite the song’s patronizing question.

In Western minds, Ethiopia is often misunderstood as a helpless nation. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth; it is where human civilization took its first steps and has been a trailblazer in Africa’s resistance against colonialism. Despite the country not being a utopia in 2024—it faces genuine issues—it has managed to endure a hundred years of foreign meddling and internal strife. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed eloquently addressed the 2024 Band Aid remix by stating, “An outdated cause can potentially do more harm than good.

Instead of continuously focusing on stories that portray Africans as helpless and dependent, which oversimplifies the intricate truths about Ethiopia and Africa, let’s promote African perspectives and strive for a future where Africa takes charge and sets an example on its own merits.

As a multifaceted scholar hailing from both Ethiopia and the vibrant city of Los Angeles, I wear several professional hats. Primarily, I serve as the visionary director for Tshehai Publishers. Additionally, I oversee the editorial direction of the International Journal of Ethiopian Studies. Lastly, I am a distinguished senior fellow with the esteemed International Strategic Studies Association.

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2024-12-08 03:01

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