We are the world – 25 years later
I’m always amazed at how fast the world will respond to catastrophic disasters and tragedies. Also amazing is the billions of dollars raised in mere weeks from international celebrities and the average “working stiffs”.
In a way, the international celebrity support and campaigns began back in 1984 when Bob Geldof organized most of Britain’s singing talent under the perhaps appropriate name of ‘Band Aid’ – I say appropriate because a band aid only covers up the problem, it doesn’t cure it – to raise money for African famine relief. Their song “Do They Know it’s Christmas’ sold millions of copies.
Not to be outdone, in March, 1985, American superstars joined together to record “We Are The World” (co-written by the late Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie). Then Canada’s music celebrities joined in the chorus and recorded “Tears are Not Enough”.
The outpouring and support was all the rage to help the starving children in Africa.
While there may not have been the same celebrity recordings after the destructive tsunami of 2004, international support was there.
Now, after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, it’s 1985 all over again. Americans gathered together after The Grammys on Sunday to record a new “We Are The World”. Even grumpy Simon Cowell of ‘American Idol’ fame is working on gathering superstars for a concert/recording.
I know there are organizations and even some individuals who work tirelessly to help those in Third World nations, but on their own, it’s a near impossible challenge to win.
Again, while it’s great to see such international support from superstars, governments, and companies, I wonder why it takes such disasters to happen before it arrives in the first place.
After all, the band aid for African famine relief fell off a long time ago, but the wound is still there.