The #StopBandAid campaign stands in solidarity with @FuseODG to prevent the BBC from releasing its documentary celebrating Band Aid—a project that has historically dehumanized Africans and undermined their pride and identity under the guise of 'charity'.

What is Happening

The BBC is set to release a documentary celebrating Band Aid, an offshoot of the Live Aid Concert that first held in 1985. Although Live Aid raised $140 million for famine relief in Ethiopia, it left a profoundly negative mark on the world. It sealed a damaging story of an outdated, negative, and lazy perception of Africa and its people in the minds of people all over the world. 

African artist @FuseODG has launched a campaign to stop this. Ten years ago, he declined Bob Geldof’s invitation to be part of his Band Aid - Do They Know It’s Christmas project because he recognised it as “a project that dehumanises Africans and destroys our pride and identity in the name of ‘charity’.”

This campaign is supporting Fuse ODG to #StopBandAid.

Why this Matters

Nearly forty years after the Live Aid Concert, the African continent continues to contend with patronizing attitudes and a neglect of the agency, progress, and rich cultural contributions of its nations and people. Outdated stereotypes about Africa continue to feature in the stories told about us globally and this comes at a cost to how money flows into the continent, how the world sees us and most importantly, how we Africans see ourselves.

In fact, Africa No Filter’s recent report in collaboration with Africa Practice reveals that Africa loses up to $4.2 billion annually in interest payments on its loans, primarily due to the stereotypical narratives that dominate global media coverage.

As Fuse ODG puts it: “African problems should be solved by Africans. We welcome anyone genuinely trying to support the continent, but it must be in a spirit of collaboration, not patronization; solidarity, not charity. In 2024, we cannot stay silent and allow others to continue telling our story. We Know It’s Christmas.”

The stories told about Africa shape its narratives, and narratives matter. It’s time to take back the pen and change the narrative. Africa can tell its own stories and solve its own problems.

Somebody tell @BBC #WeKnowItsChristmas so they can #StopBandAid.

Sign this petition to join the campaign.

N.B.
Africa No Filter believes in freedom of the press and this in no way means that we support any sort of campaigns that muzzle the media. This petition is in line with our mission to amplify stories that celebrate Africa’s opportunities, agency and innovation - and shift away from stories that reinforce outdated, singular narratives about the continent.