Headline: Consumerist Hellmouth Gets Live 8 Concert
I don't believe I've been this disappointed and disgusted in a long time. I am in full WTF mode today.
Yeah. Exactly what it looks like. Two days ago, we caught wind that the GTA was going to get a Live 8 Concert. So, naturally I was all excited...because hey, spreading awareness about African poverty is one of my usual rants.
But then, today the word got out that it's going to be in BARRIE. BARRIE. YES. The whitebread, conservative bit of hickville that apparently has been attached to the GTA now.
And, irony of all ironies, it's going to be at PARK PLACE. Ah, yes...a concert to raise awareness about poverty largely caused by neoliberal practices held in the shining beacon of capitalism that is Park Place.
I'm really trying to be more clever, but this stinks of Greek tragedy-style drama. I mean, come on. Barrie? I understand that it's close to the GTA, and that Park Place is a large open venue, and that people from the GTA can still go ....but Barrie is really little more than a place to engorge yourself at the massive teat of consumerism. It's one big shopping mall...where some people happen to live.
So, you fucking tell me that this decision is soley based on the venue and not on the marketing implications. Yeah, the concert's free. But that doesn't mean that all the oh-so-concerned citizens going there to rah rah about African poverty aren't gonna stop at Starbucks, Costco, Zehrs, The Gap and the many other havens of capitalism that clog up that place. I know I'm being slightly repetitive here ...but ...WHAT THE FUCK?!
BARRIE!? How did BARRIE beat TORONTO to get a concert that is about getting as many bodies as possible into one place to raise awareness about a world issue that is totally and completely antithetical to the love-fest towards capitalism that is Barrie.
On one hand, we have millions of starving impoverished sick Africans. On the other, we have a city that in itself shows the WORST WORST of the Western world. It's a place where there are more stores and coffeeshops than community centres, black people get pulled over for driving expensive cars (because clearly they are dealing drugs or the car is stolen) and the people are organised into perfect white Pleasantville-style subdivisions where it isn't completely out of place to see white, middle class men all mowing their lawns at exactly the same time.
I'm just so speechless at the fucking nerve of this country to yet again reinforce this idea of the White Man's burden. The white middle class people have to get together to save the black people from poverty. Wow. Just wow. I forgot, is this the 50s? Because unless they're going to be sending buses of the poor non-white people who live in downtown Toronto to the concert I can bet you anything that a good portion of the faces in that sea of people at the concert will be white. Yay, yay. Way to turn something I was so excited about into complete shit. Once again I am astounded and amazed at Canada's ability to be half-assed. (Did I mention enough times that Barrie is made up of a lot of white people?)
And I'm not going to even get into the fact that one station - a right wing bullshit station, I might add - got the exclusive rights to cover it. Yeah, we're really going to raise awareness. Let's allow one station to cover something. Woo hoo publicity.
You know, when I heard about this, a friend of mine commented that he wasn't sure whether or not it was really good because he didn't know how much they were going to look at the issue, rather than just the concert. But nooo...I was all optimistic about how it would be handled, and that it would start people asking questions, and it would good....Yeah, I fucking spoke too soon.
YES, I should be grateful that we're raising awareness for African poverty. But how can I when I know that this is just bullshit? Bullshit. It's a fucking token nod at a very serious issue, and of course we fucking mishandle it like we mishandle everything when it comes to Africa.
Because we're the civilised ones, right?
Well, you know what they say: "There's something for everyone at Park Place!"
I guess they're extending that to anti-capitalists!
Yeah. Exactly what it looks like. Two days ago, we caught wind that the GTA was going to get a Live 8 Concert. So, naturally I was all excited...because hey, spreading awareness about African poverty is one of my usual rants.
But then, today the word got out that it's going to be in BARRIE. BARRIE. YES. The whitebread, conservative bit of hickville that apparently has been attached to the GTA now.
And, irony of all ironies, it's going to be at PARK PLACE. Ah, yes...a concert to raise awareness about poverty largely caused by neoliberal practices held in the shining beacon of capitalism that is Park Place.
I'm really trying to be more clever, but this stinks of Greek tragedy-style drama. I mean, come on. Barrie? I understand that it's close to the GTA, and that Park Place is a large open venue, and that people from the GTA can still go ....but Barrie is really little more than a place to engorge yourself at the massive teat of consumerism. It's one big shopping mall...where some people happen to live.
So, you fucking tell me that this decision is soley based on the venue and not on the marketing implications. Yeah, the concert's free. But that doesn't mean that all the oh-so-concerned citizens going there to rah rah about African poverty aren't gonna stop at Starbucks, Costco, Zehrs, The Gap and the many other havens of capitalism that clog up that place. I know I'm being slightly repetitive here ...but ...WHAT THE FUCK?!
BARRIE!? How did BARRIE beat TORONTO to get a concert that is about getting as many bodies as possible into one place to raise awareness about a world issue that is totally and completely antithetical to the love-fest towards capitalism that is Barrie.
On one hand, we have millions of starving impoverished sick Africans. On the other, we have a city that in itself shows the WORST WORST of the Western world. It's a place where there are more stores and coffeeshops than community centres, black people get pulled over for driving expensive cars (because clearly they are dealing drugs or the car is stolen) and the people are organised into perfect white Pleasantville-style subdivisions where it isn't completely out of place to see white, middle class men all mowing their lawns at exactly the same time.
I'm just so speechless at the fucking nerve of this country to yet again reinforce this idea of the White Man's burden. The white middle class people have to get together to save the black people from poverty. Wow. Just wow. I forgot, is this the 50s? Because unless they're going to be sending buses of the poor non-white people who live in downtown Toronto to the concert I can bet you anything that a good portion of the faces in that sea of people at the concert will be white. Yay, yay. Way to turn something I was so excited about into complete shit. Once again I am astounded and amazed at Canada's ability to be half-assed. (Did I mention enough times that Barrie is made up of a lot of white people?)
And I'm not going to even get into the fact that one station - a right wing bullshit station, I might add - got the exclusive rights to cover it. Yeah, we're really going to raise awareness. Let's allow one station to cover something. Woo hoo publicity.
You know, when I heard about this, a friend of mine commented that he wasn't sure whether or not it was really good because he didn't know how much they were going to look at the issue, rather than just the concert. But nooo...I was all optimistic about how it would be handled, and that it would start people asking questions, and it would good....Yeah, I fucking spoke too soon.
YES, I should be grateful that we're raising awareness for African poverty. But how can I when I know that this is just bullshit? Bullshit. It's a fucking token nod at a very serious issue, and of course we fucking mishandle it like we mishandle everything when it comes to Africa.
Because we're the civilised ones, right?
Well, you know what they say: "There's something for everyone at Park Place!"
I guess they're extending that to anti-capitalists!
posted by Justine at 10:09 a.m.
3 Comments:
while there is all your concerns about the white conservativeness of barrie (i choose not to take offence.), the simple fact is that Toronto has nowhere to to hold such an event. the location that held sarstock is unsuitable, given the disasterous mess that followed. just ask the Idomo furniture dude. the ampitheter? oh please, not big enough, which is why edgefest has turned into the festring pile of crap it is. skydoe coulda worked, but then again now that its the Rogers Center, its even more capitalistic than the soon to be mall. so, we have park place, the best concert venue I have been to (not that there isn't better venues, I just haven't been to them). and quite frankly, people arte going to go to the nearest starbucks or timmies regardless of where it is. people want stuff here. your preaching to a mass of folk who for the most part are content with capitalism, and so long as they have there Timmies, have no reason to do anything else. Now one could argue that a concert isn't a very good platform for social change, given that it is putting some attention on the issue, hopefully people with enough sense to do the right thing will help out in a manner they can. At any rate, I'm happy it'll be at Park Place, so then i can go easily, and enjoy the return of pink floyd. Here's to saving the world!
Okay.
First off: Yep, the Rogers Centre is capitalist, but its downtown, which would allow more access for people around here to go.
2nd: I'm not preaching to anyone. No one asked you to read my blog. It's an outlet for my own opinions, as per the disclaimer below. Also, I think that you should think about what you just said. People in NORTH AMERICA are content with capitalism. We're not even close to making up the population of the world, a lot of which are not all that content with it. Fuck, even Europe does what they can to work around it.
3rd: Your opinion isn't based on anything other than what personally fits you best, so that alone is really enough to disregard your comment. I have alright access to Barrie as well, but I'm still frustrated because of how many OTHERS have been denied access.
Lastly: This whole comment comes from someone who has already sustained many times that he couldn't give a damn about politics, or social change ...so, why you bothered to get out of your little comfy bubble to write a reply at all surprises me.
Have a good day.
1) if they can't afford to go to barrie, than they can't likely afford to contribute to the relief efforts in a meaningful way. we should be helping them out too.
2) yes i realize it is, but aren't I allowed opinions too, even in my somewhat drunken incoherent state that i'm in now? and when was the last time you heard of a relief mission to africa from china? our capitalistic ways generate the cash to help out nations that are in trouble. if we were communist, could an individual donate money to the cause? would we as a country give money if that were the case? Wold we even care? as much as capitalism does suck, it also does have some benefits.
3) it wouldn't be MY opinion if it didn't fit me. as for others getting to barrie, the people who truely care will get there regardless, or if they can't, will donate anyway. You don't need a concert to help. you don't need anything at all, you just would. So the whole idea of access is kinda pointless, cause really the point of the concert is to get noncarers to care, and to care. I know you do care, and would help regardless, so the show is really quite pointless for you, its just a bonus. The point is to raise awareness of the cause, and just holding these shows does that, cause people are hearing it in the news, and from friends. Isn't that the good part, not that its being held in the b-dotor anywhere else?
4) why am i bothered? i just felt like writing my thoughts on the matter. the fact that i'm not interested in politics as a rule isn't the point. this concert does interest me, and i feel that the underlying issue is a worthy one that should be tackled. I just don't have the means to help out as much as you or even i wish i could, cause I don't want there to be suffering in africa either. i do have a social concious (sp?), and want the world to be a nice happy place. but I'm not interested in dramtically shifting everything i order to make it happen. doing so might make things even worse. who knows? I just want to do the best i can, so I'll donate some money to a cause, and volunteer at functions. But it ultimatly doesn't matter that this concert happens in barrie or toronto or even if its held in Wawa. So long as good comes from it, it'll be a worthwhile endevour. there will always be people who can't go. what of the folk in calgary? why should they be forced to come to TO to see a show? all in all, The ole Molson park is the place where the most people can be reached and can be held. so don't be pissed at me, the average middle of the road guy who wishes the best for eveyone. be pissed at those who really could care less.
not too shabby for a drunk guy, no? ;)
Post a Comment
<< Home