‘WE ARE THE WORLD’: A YEAR LATER : Though Some Are Unclear on Project’s Direction, Participants Feel Effort Was Worthwhile

A year after the historic “We Are the World” recording session that has become the center point of USA for Africa fund raising, many of the artists involved, though unclear over where the project is heading, remain confident that the effort was worthwhile.

Of nine of the 45 singers who participated in the all-night recording session a year ago today, only those who serve with co-founder Ken Kragen on the board of the USA for Africa Foundation--Harry Belafonte, Marlon Jackson and Kenny Rogers--knew how much money has been raised ($44 million), how much has been spent ($13.5 million) and what it was spent on.

According to Myra Lebo, USA for Africa deputy director, periodic memos have been sent to bring participants up to date, the most recent distributed at the end of 1985.

Some comments:

Harry Belafonte: Some artists were in the first instance very sensitive to the issue. Many felt it was a historic event, worthy of involvement. Some came to it sensitive to the issue but have since become quite touched by it, have taken up a newly committed role in the issue of world hunger. Some who came benefited from the overall success of the project and that was as sufficient a role as they cared to play. I’m very appreciative of all the elements, though I do have the desire that some of them had gone a bit further than they did.

It doesn’t bother me at all (that some of the artists seem unclear of the activities of the foundation). For those who’d like to use the information to enhance their agenda, the information is certainly available. Those who do not have information are ignorant on their own initiative. Some have a respective trust of those of us in leadership roles, who are the caretakers. They are quite secure with those who sit here and make decisions on the dissemination of funds.

Kim Carnes: I don’t know any figures. A big package has been sent to my house from the (Ken) Kragen (USA for Africa) people, but I haven’t had time to open it. I understand they’re sending food, medical supplies as opposed to just sending over money. I know there are people keeping tabs on what’s going on, a bunch of people policing that.

Ray Charles: It would bother anybody that the money is being spent so slowly. I can’t relate to it. What red tape in the world would stop the process of people starving to death? I thought the first thing to do was to get money to the people right now. They can’t wait until tomorrow. They can’t wait overnight.

I’ve given my own money to USA for Africa. Making the record is one thing--talent didn’t cost a dime, but sound ain’t filling no one’s stomach.

James Ingram: They told us they would keep us updated, but since the record was recorded, I haven’t heard anything. I heard they took goods over to Africa, but I don’t know where the money goes. I don’t understand the procedures. What’s the problem with getting the money over there? I don’t know enough. What are they going to do? Why are they holding the money back? To get interest? Are they using it for a big party in Hawaii? When I’ve tried to inquire, they say they’ll send out literature, but that’s all I get--lip service.

At the beginning we were shown literature, reports to get involved, then nothing after that. We just hear the talk about the glory, that we made all this money for USA for Africa. I haven’t given any of my own money to USA for Africa. First I want to find out what they’re doing with all this money. The dollar bill says ‘In God We Trust.’ ”

Jackie Jackson: I haven’t kept up with how much they’ve spent. They’re giving money to needy people, to the starving. At least I hope that’s where the money is going. I’m not really bothered by how long it’s taking to get over there. I knew it would take a while. It’s a long process--people communicating over here with the people over there. But it’s happening--that’s the most important thing.

Marlon Jackson: Before we (USA for Africa) give money to a cause, we have to make sure an organization is legitimate. The money could go within a week. We establish which cause affects most people, then we move quickly and safely. We’re not going to just write a check and say, ‘Bam, you have it.’ It’s a money issue, but it’s past that. Money is not always the answer to every problem. Unity is the answer if we’re going to do something about the whole world hunger situation. There shouldn’t be a hungry person in the world with all the money we throw away.

Jeffrey Osbourne: One thing that has concerned me is the process of how things are being taken care of. I have no idea where the money goes now. They don’t send out information monthly. Things I hear from time to time is that the pie is going to be split five ways. A lot of people gave hit songs (to USA for Africa’s compilation album). That’s a lot to give up. I didn’t have as much to give up. If I had given up a song, I would keep well abreast of where the money’s going. I hope the people who gave up the songs know where the money is going.

I wondered if the situation was being blown out of proportion. I was wondering how far it was going to go before we turned back to the problems in America.

Steve Perry: I wrote a song for the compilation album, “If Only for the Moment, Girl” and spent $12,000 out of my own pocket to record it. I don’t know how much money has been raised. I’ve been in the studio since the song (“We Are the World”) was recorded. If everybody who was involved in the recording got involved with distributing the money, than nothing would ever get done. Kragen’s proven trustworthy and he’s doing a great job.

Kenny Rogers: If my schedule had permitted, I would have accompanied Kragen, Belafonte et al. to Africa in June with the first USA for Africa shipment. Would I do it again? Of course, if I was convinced the cause was worthy and the organization was in place to wisely and efficiently spend whatever money might be raised.