The Best Post Secrets

If you’ve never heard of Frank Warren’s PostSecret, then you’re in for a treat. PostSecret is is an ongoing community mail art project in which people mail anonymous homemade postcards to Frank, and in as few words as possible tell a secret about themselves. They range from happy to sad, motivating to thought provoking, but are always incredibly moving. Anyway, for a long time, I’ve been saving what I’ve considered to be the “best” secrets I’ve seen – they’re my 50 favorites, but I wasn’t sure what to do with them…so I’ve posted them below. Enjoy, and patronize PostSecret!

ADMI(RED)

As promised, here’s part two of my series on AIDS relief.This is coming out after recent reports the the number of infected individuals in the U.S. rival some Africa nations. Additionally, this week, 25,000 professionals are flocking to Mexico City, Mexico, for the XVII International AIDS Conference. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, said that “We have made considerable progress against HIV/AIDS, not only on the scientific front, but also with regard to the political will, funding and essential public health efforts on the ground that are delivering medicine, care and prevention services. However, much remains to be done, as 2.7 million people worldwide were infected with HIV in 2007.” You can read his full article here, but what does this have to do with relief? Well, as you can see, the problem is enormous – which is why I’m continually impressed with organizations that have decided to do something. I’m not just talking about incredibly effective, yet somewhat traditional non-profits like the U.N.’s Global Fund – I’m talking about innovative initiatives like the(RED) business model.

(RED) is a brand that was created by Bono and Bobby Shriver to eliminate AIDS in Africa. The global pandemic of AIDS affects over 35 million people across the globe, and while there is no cure for the degenerative disease, it is treatable and preventable. These treatments, better known as Anti-retrovirals, or ARV’s, consist of 2 pills and are readily available in North America and in Europe for the equivalent of 40 cents per day. Unfortunately, these same effective and affordable medicines are not available for much of Sub-Saharan Africa, in which more than 25 million, or 68% of the infected population, is forced to live.

What (RED) does is partner with major, name-brand companies to create specific Product (RED) lines. Currently (RED) partners with 9 companies, including GAP, Apple, Motorola, Converse, Emporio Armani, Windows, Dell, American Express, and Hallmark, with new partners to be announced within the year. When a Product (RED) item sells, a portion of that company’s proceeds go directly to The Global Fund, a 501(c)3 non-profit set up by the United Nations to combat AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

There are several innovative concepts (RED) has presented the private sector with. The first is simply by providing a guilt-free environment to purchase what the consumer wants while giving others exactly what they need. (RED) doesn’t promote excessive consumerism. Instead, (RED) promotes their products side-by-side with items you intend to buy, such as clothing, shoes, cell phones and computers. (RED) products don’t cost any more or less than items of comparable value. For example, (RED) iPod nanos are the same price as the black, white, and green ones – $199. The only difference is that by buying (RED), a portion of the proceeds go to eliminating AIDS in Africa and legitimately save a life.

Most importantly, by mobilizing the private sector, it thereby creates a sustainable source of aid for those countries that need it most. Although ludicrously cheap, once ARV’s are started, they can’t be stopped or the infected individuals revert back to their prior state. By taking ARV’s consistently, however, results in what (RED) calls the Lazarus effect. Drawing upon John 11:38-43 in which Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, much the same occurs when a person receives regulated treatments. They are, quite simply, given a new life.

Do the companies that (RED) partners with make money? Of course they do. Each company designates a different percentage of their profits that goes directly to the Global Fund. That means the money doesn’t ever pass back through (RED)’s hands. It all comes back to sustainability. If the companies didn’t make money, they would not be motivated to continue with these product lines. However, if they’re still turning a profit, they’re more than willing to help. This isn’t to say they’re only in it for the money or publicity. It’s not just an image, it’s genuine gesture of goodwill.

Others argue against the excessive marketing campaigns. None of that money actually comes from (RED) – it’s all from funds that are put aside from partner companies that would be used for advertising anyway. So whether GAP is advertising a new crew neck t-shirt or the (RED) version, they’re still spending the same amount of money. And, in effect, the money they spent will in the long run be shadowed by the colossal funds (RED) has helped gather for the Global Fund.

So, the big question; Is it effective? You bet. In the past two years, (RED) has raised over $110 million through their partners for the Global Fund. To put that number into perspective, from 2002-2006, the private sector had raised little more than $5 million. Again, (RED) never takes any of the money – 100% of the proceeds go directly to the Global Fund and never pass through their hands. The only fees ever collected are for licensing and use of the logo.

Because of all this and more, generations of Africans have the opportunity to grow up focusing on their futures; not just the necessity to stay alive for another day. This not only satisfies a moral imperative, but this ultimately supports the growing economy. By giving a new life to these individuals, we are helping grow the global market and filtering more nations into globalization. Africa is the last major, populated continent that hasn’t been overrun with technology and new advancements. Relief also strengthens our own national security by reducing long-term threats of unstable governments and societies.Additionally, as countries in the third world grow and recover, they will be introduced back into the economy and become full partners in the age of globalization. Improving upon foreign assistance is simply an effective and morally just way of responding to global crises, which will ultimately improve the lives of countless individuals.

Am I somehow saying that we should ignore the prevalence of AIDS in the U.S. and solely focus on sub-Saharan Africa? Of course not. But I’m also saying that the opposite is equally ludicrous. We can’t merely focus on “our own” and neglect those who are in desperate need of assistance. Truly, I hate when individuals use the phrase “take care of our own first”. We’re not identified solely by our geography, or our political and religious affiliations – we’re united by our common humanity. It’s a difficult concept to grasp, but given enough thought, the answer is not so elusive. Put in simple terms, in 1981 when the disease was officially recognized, a person in either North America or Africa, once diagnosed, would be considered dead in about a month. Today, a person diagnosed in North America can almost be assured to live a long, fruitful life with the assistance of ARV’s. Today, if diagnosed in Africa, they’re still dead within a month. Geography is not a just reason to determine whether a person should live or die.

This battle for knowledge and understanding is still being fought in North America; however significant revelations have integrated themselves into the minds of civilians. Development assistance through initiatives such as the Global Development Alliance are helping the public gain knowledge and are building valuable contacts within the business community. These alliances forge partnerships with the private sector to advance development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals set forth by the United Nations.  By partnering with big corporations and the brilliant minds behind them, we are mobilizing some of the industry’s most capable professionals to aid these developing nations.