Radi-Aid is a parody Christmas song, inspired by real initiatives such as Band Aid’s Do They Know Its Christmas? The music video, produced by a fictional organisation called Africa for Norway, shows Africans coming together in an effort to supply radiators to the people of Norway. It also features several African “celebrities” singing together.
The fake campaign tag reads “Africans unite to save Norwegians from dying of frostbite. You too can donate your radiator and spread some warmth!”
According to the Norwegian Students’ and Academics’ International Assistance Fund – the real creators of the video – wanted to inspire people to understand the complex issues in Africa and acknowledge the many positive developments in African countries.
Imagine if every person in Africa saw the “Africa for Norway”-video, and this was the only information they ever got about Norway. What would they think about Norway? If we say Africa, what do you think about? Hunger, poverty, crime or AIDS? No wonder, because in fundraising campaigns and media that’s mainly what you hear about. But while these images can engage people in the short term, we are concerned that many people simply give up because it seems like nothing is getting better. Africa should not just be something that people either give to, or give up on.
Check out the video below. We are particularly fond of the little radiator icon jumping over the song’s lyrics at the bottom of the screen – enabling all of us to sing along:
[Source: AndPop]
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