#53 - Saving Africa
Saving Africa
Price: Modest Knowledge
Rich people love to support noble causes and a favorite cause is to save Africa. Don’t confuse this with caring as it is socially important that every rich person show a compassionate side. The way that rich people save is different than the way that the rest of the world saves. Many people will give a year of their life volunteering or make monthly donations in return for a photograph and signed Christmas card. Rich people use causes as the raison d’être to host lavish fundraising galas with an annual flight to Africa for a safari and photo ops during a tour of schools or hospitals supported by their foundation. Ironically, a major reason that Africa needs help is the 19th century colonization of the continent by rich people.
Historically, the pillaging of Africa was fueled by an insatiable desire for copper, rubber, diamonds, tea and more recently oil. In return for stripping the continent of its riches, Europeans provided limited education, frowned upon mixed marriages, enlisted Africans to fight in World Wars, implemented enforced labor and planted cash crops while neglecting food crops. The result, this doesn’t make for good conversation when befriending the rich. Instead, use this as an opportunity to flatter their generosity and learn more about their benevolent nature.
Rich people like devoting their philanthropic efforts to saving the Dark Continent because it is easy to explain. Medical research or environmental work can be confusing but conjuring images of impoverished orphans in the sub-Saharan is effortless. It is also simple for the wealthy to explain how much good they are doing. Measuring the number of hospitals, patients, schools, students and textbooks is superior to scientific jargon or tonnes of CO2 eliminated. They would spend more time explaining the metric system than proving what generous people they are. Remember, it isn’t about making a difference, it’s about being recognized for the difference rich people make. Ensure you fawn over and embellish their efforts and you are well on your way to a black tie affair. If you are lucky they may invite a real live African whose life they have enriched, the wealthy are so wonderful.
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Stuff Rich People Love 
[…] couldn’t help but wonder if these Christians were experiencing what I can only describe as White People Saving Africa. They are, after all, mostly white in Evangelical Christian circles who are engaging in spreading […]
Ever since I moved to an affluent area, I’ve been noticing everyone trying to save Africa. One reason is definitely the excuse for an exotic vacation. One year, a community theatre group put on a production of Hairspray (involving white people wearing afro wigs; yikes) to raise money for the drama teacher to go to Africa to teach music and dance. Yeah, that’s what they need from us. Dealing with local charities doesn’t seem as magical. Then the rich folks would actually have to accept that we have problems in our own city. They might have to look at the homeless as humans instead of just driving past them.
its as if saving africa gives them points to continue the other joys which are not as attractive. Dropping 4k on a dress for one night may seem foolish to us but knowing this person gives to Africa allows to make not of their generosity and excuse some of the absurdities
Chas, Chas…Chas…
You wrote, “Rich people use causes as the raison d’être to host lavish fundraising galas…”
That’s an incorrect use of raison d’être and you already used that phrase in your post re: not ordering from the menu. If you feel the need to interject a bit of French here, consider something like, “Rich people host lavish galas to raise funds for their cause du jour, which lately seems to be Africa…”