As an activist and rock star, U2’s Bono sat cross-legged, sporting a black blazer over his black vest and white unbuttoned shirt. From under his usual green cap, his blue eyes peered at the Wheaton College Edman Chapel audience.

He visited the Midwest this week with two messages: AIDS is an emergency and it’s on this generation’s shoulders to answer it.

Wednesday’s Wheaton stop was part of the “Heart of America Tour: Africa’s Future and Ours,” sponsored by Debt Aid Trade Africa, a London-based organization founded by Bono.

The tour coincides with AIDS Day on Sunday, kicking off in Lincoln, Neb.

The crowd roared and gave a standing ovation as the 42-year-old walked on the stage of Chapel’s auditorium to a packed audience of 2,200 students, activists and local leaders Wednesday night. Among the crowd was Sen. Dick Durbin and race car driver Dario Franchitti – the husband of actress Ashley Judd, who joined Bono in the campaign of AIDS awareness – along with comedian Chris Tucker.

Tucker visited Africa with Bono last year.

“As an African American, this was really touching because I’ve seen my family,” he said. “They’ve touched me in a way that will affect me for the rest of my life.”

Bono, a native of Ireland, chose the Midwest to inspire activism because he sees the region as the “heart of the country.”

“The region has a moral compassion that sets the course for the rest of the country,” Bono said in a press briefing before the show.

President Bush shows passion, Bono said, but we want that passion to turn into money. He wanted to get Bush ready with the momentum for his January visit to Africa.

“I’m here because you’re tough people,” he later told the audience, “and if Washington says jump, you don’t just jump.”

Bono’s message was a call to the emergency of the AIDS epidemic, with about 2.4 million people in Africa dead of HIV/AIDS as 6,500 more die every day. Bono blamed the media for the lack of awareness of the severity of the epidemic. It will cost about $2.5 million annually for proper HIV/AIDS drugs and treatment, which is the equivalent to the cost of every American buying a movie ticket and popcorn.

Obstacles to combatting the modern plague include lack of drug treatment, money for drugs and misconceptions.

“Celebrity is currency,” he said. “It’s preposterous and absurd that we have to tell you about this, but that’s how our media works.”

The panel of celebrities sat in the blue, regal-looking chairs on the Edman Stage. They took turns relating the importance of this generation’s role to combat the epidemic. Also among the panel was Agnes Nyamayarwo, a Uganda native who told her story of life with AIDS. Bono and Judd took turns holding up pictures of Nyamayarwo’s family, whom she has lost to the disease. Iowan Dr. Jim Kim also relayed his work with patients in Haiti who had AIDS.

Bono took advantage of his Christian background to relate to the private, Christian college audience.

“The issue of AIDS is going to divide us tonight,” he said. “Jesus said I come with a sword.”

Thou shalt help thy neighbor is a command, and people can’t choose their neighbors in globalization, he said.

Judd, also on tour, didn’t lack any compassion for the cause.

“About 9,500 today, tomorrow, the day after that and so forth are infected by the AIDS virus,” she said.

Judd then tried to talk about the gruesome myths in Africa about AIDS, one being that having sex with a virgin will cure the virus and the evil of ignorance of it all. In mid-sentence, she stepped back from the podium, looked over at long-time friend Bono, and said in a low voice, “Oh, I cant do this.” Bono just nodded, motioning her to carry on. “There are some people spreading a rumor that condoms actually cause HIV/AIDS,” she said bluntly as she quickly composed herself. “That is unacceptable.”

They came to inspire.

“We need to sound the alarm, will you sound the alarm?” Bono asked students. “Will you sound the alarm, churches? Will you sound the alarm, teachers?” The crowd roared in response.

Wheaton College senior Dawn Crowell, an international relations major, said she will sound that alarm. She plans on sending the DATA card Judd encouraged and will attend an in-depth DATA session Thursday at the college.

“I think it’s important to actually take on activism instead of just talking about it,” she said. Judd asked the audience to fill out and send DATA cards to local congressmen. Though most of the students may have come just to get a glimpse of the lead singer, whose causes include Northern Ireland peace and dropping Third World debt, some came away with a less-cloudy understanding of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Unlike Crowell, Wheaton College freshman John Whalon, a communication major, won’t be quick to send in his card. With so many causes to work for, he plans on checking out several human rights organizations.

“I will pray about it,” he said of the epidemic.

Bono put the spotlight on Sen. Durbin, picking him out of the audience to make him tell students what kind of activism they could do on a limited student budget.

Durbin smiled and let the audience know that Bono is referred to as “the pest” on Capitol Hill, he said jokingly.

Even the poorest student with access to e-mail can write to a local congressman, he said.

“And does it make a difference?” Durbin asked. “You bet it does.”

Bono had some advice for the college students when they enter the real world.

“People will tell you, you lack experience,” he said. “Say yes, that’s another one of my attributes. America’s leaders need you because they screwed up. A lot of you weren’t born when this happened.”

We can end this with your help, Bono said, so let’s rock and roll.