I was watching VH-1 a few weeks back and they did a segment about the We are the world recording session and Bob Geldorf was stating how it was "forever to Prince's shame" that he didn't show up. Now I dont know if Prince didn't want to do it because of the other musicians involved or if his reasons are explained in the classic B-side Hello, however my personal feelings on the issue are expressed on the later. Now as an African-American I feel it was admirable that so many musicians took the time out to send charitable aid to poverty stricken in Ethiopia. Yet, it always puzzles me how American people, in this instance entertainers, jump on the band wagon to send aid to other countries and do nothing for the poverty stricken in the U.S.(Sally Struthers doesn't have to go to the Phillipenes she could stand on the corner of "Any Ghetto USA") This recording session was done during the height of Reganomics in the U.S. and yet no one sang their asses off for the people in the ghettos or those that were downsized by the corporations in the 1980s. This was a time period where the rich got richer and the poor got poorer in the U.S. and yet no one sang a song to aid those individuals that had their lives turned upside down or for victims of circumstance beyond their control ie. being born into poverty.

I remember reading articles that discussed how the limos that ushered the celebs from the awards show to the recording studios passed through an impoverished part of town, and it strikes me as ironic that no one noticed the poverty they were passing on the way to send foreign aid. Lastly I also read somewhere that during the recording session that one of my favorite musicians made one of the most ignorant statements of all time. Stevie Wonder suggested singing the song in Swahili and someone reminded him that people in Ethopia do not speak that language, classic.

The participants of We are the world heart's were in the right place however its unfortunate that they did not notice the millions of starving Americans that need aid also. As I have grown in life, and education, I actually respect the fact that Prince did not participate in the session, mainly due to my knowlege of the economic system of the U.S. and ridiculous disparity in wealth in our capitalist system. Whatever the reason Prince did not participate I'm glad he's not on the old re-run of a video of caring yet misguided individuals.

Perhaps giving aid to those not on your doorstep makes for a bigger statement, albeit misguided in your opinion. That very statement sends a more powerful message to the world, not just America.

I think that if Prince would have shown up if his handlers had let him know that a bunch of other big name stars would be there.

He probably got a message saying that Lionel Richie wanted him to sing on a charity song and decided to blow the whole thing off. Prince is a name dropper. He digs being in the company of other big names. If he had known who would be there, he would have shown up.

Anji said:

Perhaps, but if study the views on poverty in this country, we are not as ready to aid those that struggle within our borders because for some reason they have character flaws that do not warrant aid. I agree that foreign aid should be sent, however u have to resolve issues at home before you can adequately justify aiding anyone else.

What an egoistical mind. US is a rich country, I know there is poverty but it's not a critical situation as the other parts of the globe. Aside from the fact that America exploits poor countries.

You make a very good point Dorothy. I believe that some (not all) celebrities do these things for the attention and praise it gives them. Once they get into it, they start to see how important charity is for everyone around the world, but at first I believe it's done for the attention and so people say "look how caring this person is". On the other hand, many people do not want the public to know how much charity work they do. For example, Carlos Santana once said that Prince keeps a very low profile with the various different charities he involved in, but mentioned it because he felt that Prince deserved some recognition for his charity work. Other people like MJ for example have to tell the whole world about their charity work. MJ is insecure, Prince is not. Some people are like MJ, others are like Prince and some just do it to feel as though they are contributing to something good. Hope this makes sense. I'm in a hurry. But, I do agree that charity should begin at home.

7salles said:

Egotistical...tell me what u know about the distribution of wealth in this country. 47.2 % of the wealth is controlled by the top 5%, 4.2% is distributed among the poor. The U.S. is a rich country in the terms of the wealthy and their accumulation of material possessions and possessions of value. Do u even know the definition of wealth the true definition. The U.S. is trumpeted as the richest country and it is for those that own corporations and make the rules. The funny thing about capitalism is that it only works for those that have capital. The top % of this country have the capital, the rest of us are in the working class. We are not capitalist we are the working poor. The argument u made about the U.S. exploiting poor countries is true. However poor countries are exploited by the rich who also exploit the working class and the poor within the U.S. borders. Suggested reading, Herbert Gans Positive Funtions of the Undeserving Poor, William Julius Wilson's When Work Disappears, Jonathan Kozol's Savage Inequalities, Howard Zinn's A People's History of the U.S. and u call my statement egotistical...actually its the truth that no one in America wants to face.

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

The study sounds like it reflects some of America's problems with itself. That is an issue, however, wouldn't it also be an issue if the country most able to contribute world aid, did not?

Anji said:

I highly suggest u read some of the books i recommend in the previous post. I don't think u grasp the economic structure nor the views on poverty in America.

You're making some valid points, Dorothy, but it might be worthwhile bearing in mind that Bob Geldof's mission was not centred around America's socio-economic issues with itself.

I think Prince didn't go for his own reasons... and in my opinion "Hello" does not provide a sufficient enough explanation. That being said, it should be noted that Prince's charitable actions and financial support of several causes dear to his heart--especially education for disadvantaged children, the Special Olympics, and other causes--is a matter of record.

Regarding the We Are the World incident I think it was a case of awe, rock star ego, and immaturity--remember he was only 25 or 26 years old. It's notable that Sheila E. went ahead and participated with the We Are the World, which bespeaks of her own independence even that early in their working relationship.

Anji said:

Here again I'm not dicussing Geldof...That is his opinion..However I'm discussing how people jump to aid the impoverished as long as they are not in the U.S. The U.S. has disproportionately poor populations among Af. Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans. And the majority of the poor are white americans in this country. Do these citizens not deserve a song, or commerical apperance by Sally Struthers?? What I'm focusing on is the American mindset that poor in other countries is somehow different because the poor in the U.S. had to bring it upon themselves because we live in such a rich society.

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

It's dumbfounding you why the artists involved in the We Are The World campaign did not themselves realise and sing about the truths of America's socio-economic issues. All I'm saying is that those issues do not make for as visionary a statement, and therefore do not appeal to the world at large, as much as the ethos behind the 'We Are The World' campaign. It may astonish and disappoint you but it makes sense to me.
[This message was edited Fri Feb 14 10:54:54 PST 2003 by Anji]

Back when they did "We are the World", I remember how everyone was talking about Prince not participating and than the next morning or a couple days after, I don't recall, there was an article that said Prince didnot appear because, while they were recording, Prince was bailing his bodyguard out of jail,because he had gotten into a fight with someone.

Prince had the right not to participate if that's how he felt and noone really had the right to say anything about it.

Isn't Bob Geldof Irish? Besides, many of these countries donnot have things like food stamps and public housing.

They are completely on their own.

The people in the Philipines are poverty stricken, with no help.

I'm not saying that America shouldn't have more aid for the people, especially now with the economic picture.

But in a lot of cases in America if someone needs help there is help available if it is seeked.

In some of these other countries there is no help at all.

DorothyParkerWasCool said:

I'm not from the US and in fact have never been there, but I'm from a "rich" country and I think that poverty (as sad as it is and all props to people who try to help to reduce injustices) in such a country cannot be compared to poverty in a "3rd world country". I've been to South Africa for a month some months ago and when you see how millions of people are living there it really makes you speechless. But it's fantastic if you help anybody in need, may it be your neighbour or someone from abroad

What people consider "poverty" in the US would probabbly be considered the good life in a third world country. Yes, the higher ups are hoarding their money and a majority of people here are stuck working for low hourly wages. $20,000 - $25,000 per year is crap compared to the six+ digit figures the rich in this country are raking in. But at the same time, it can be enough to pay rent and buy food for a year.

What blows my mind, walking through big cities in this country is that a bum will be sitting on a street corner with a tin can when he/she is surrounded by thousands of job opportunities. I don't care if it means picking up a part time job at Burger King till you land that high paying dream job you're after, some income is better than nothing.

I've had friends of mine who lost their jobs and instead of picking up a part time job to fill the void in the meantime, they sit at home, collect unemployment and declare bankruptcy, because its beneath them to work for 8 bucks an hour when they used to make 3 times that.

Yes there is a major discrepancy in the distribution of wealth in this country. But a person in this country suffering because they can't afford that new 2003 model car is a little different from someone who doesn't even have clean water to drink.

I think it's the other way around, the shame never would have left Prince if he participated in that cheesy single.

i think prince didn't participate in the project because he knew, with his height, he wouldn't be able to reach the microphone and properly sing his part. so, why bother then, right!? lol
[This message was edited Sat Feb 15 7:48:52 PST 2003 by purpleone]

NuPwrSoul said:

I think his shyness had a lot to do with it too. Maybe he just wasn't comfortable with that type of project. Besides, he wouldn't have had control...we all know that he wants to be in control of everything he does. Who can criticize him for that? He did contribute a song to the project, so I never understood why everyone gave him so much shit over this.

I think many of these stars have done their share of charity at home also. But it's a whole different ballgame altogether: at home it is a structural, political problem and less of an emergency, where small, long-running projects are part of the solution. There exist many organisations to fight poverty, in the first place the governement and no one is helped with a one time charity event. When u talk about international charity it is often bcause of some disaster where people r in high need, money is needed immediately and no structures exists to provide help. That is were celebrities can stap up and ask for financial support. It is a far easier thing to do and something everybody can support, as opposed to ask for structural or political change

What a bunch of bullshit! Prince didn't do anything noble when he refused to do We Are The World. He was being egotistical and stupid, and thought it beneath him to sing on this song. He wanted to take sole credit for charity; to prop up his own ego. Remember, that sign that said, "keep your egos at the door". Imagine Prince refusing that one. Prince should have done the damn thing. Sure, it was a photo op for rich musicians, but it did help millions of starving people--no small task.

Prince was a bad person in the 80's, and we have to come to terms with that fact. Music genius aside.

I even believe that Prince stopped selling records because of the fiasco. God punished him, maybe.

And no dissing Stevie Wonder. At least he has a sense of ethics, unlike Princey poo.

Prince.

Tom said:

I guess its true that u cannot argue with misinformed peopole. U proved my point. Americans really do not understand what WEALTH is. I'm a professor with expertise in the field of Urban Sociology, Social Stratification and Wealth Distribution in the U.S. Your argument is what we discuss in my class on a daily basis and the flaws contained therein are numerous. Many of the poor work, in fact the 80% of two parent families that are poor in the U.S. are in the workforce. Furthermore over 50% of single poor mothers are in the workforce. The reality is 40% of the poor in the U.S. are children. The majority of the poor are single women. Your statement about poor being not having a 2003 model car is ignorant. Where are u getting these facts and figures?? If u live in the U.S. please look outside mainstream media for the true statistics on poverty, what is meant by being wealthy and what the distribution of wealth in this country. By the way the average family in this country, family of four survives on less than $25,000 a year. To be considered impoverished in this country a family of four has to make $18,000 a year or less. The majority of people fall $2400 below this mark. These figures do not include those that don't have health care, which increases their rate of poverty and negatively impacts their income. And those that make over $18,000 for a family of four get no assistance. A family of four cannot survive in America on $20,000 with adequate housing, clothing, and food. Many of these individuals do not have the running water or amenities that those in the middle and upper classes enjoy. With the current system of wealth distribution, those individuals that live in the middle class in present day America will have children that will not enjoy the same standard of living.

2freaky4church1 said:

I was using Prince as a platform to discuss my own feelings. And by the way I love Stevie too but atleast Prince never wore a full length mink to an apartheid protest.

I'm sorry... I woke up this morning and am reading this post while eating my Golden Grahams and I damn near choked because I believe someone said God was punishing Prince for not doing "We are the World" by lowering his record sales. The fact is We Are the World basically didn't do much as far as really helping and it was, in many ways,a sham in which self important celebs got together to sing a corny as song. I mean if theser people really wanted to help they should have donated a shit load of cash to USA for Africa. So don't pretend that Huey Lewis and Cyndi Lauper are capable of saving the world.

Also, the reason Prince didn't do it was because Michael Jackson was running the show. Prince has to be in control.

2freaky4church1 said:

1. Again...Prince contributed a song to the project...so what the fuck is the difference?
2. How can you say that he was a "bad person"? Do you know him personally? What did he do that was so bad?
3. You can't be serious about God punishing him...that has to be one of the stupidest things anyone has ever posted on the org.

2freaky4church1 said:

Not trying to defend Prince as I wasn't alive when all this happened, but he did donate an unreleased song for the album, which in a way is better... I mean now they have whole charity albums where each artist contributes a song.
So why was there even any mention of him not doing it because he didn't want to participate? Did he actually say no to Lionel at the award ceremony? And was the only reason his song went on the album because of all the hating he received for his lack of contribution?
Mark

I was kidding about God punishing him; since I don't talk direct and shit with the almighty. Get a sense of humor my peeps.

Prince contributed a song, but out of embarrassment. And the song he gave was treacly vomit.

Prince was a horrible person in the 80s; read Per Nilson's book, DMSR; and don't bitch about Per being biased; there is noone more Prince knowledgeable than Per.

2freaky4church1 said:

What do you mean "out of embarrassment?"

"embarrassed" because of all the bad press and put downs because he didn't do WATW. Even Gary Trudeu made fun of Prince in Doonesbury at the time.

The "whole" thing was bullshit because all it was was an answer to Band-Aids "Do They Know Its Christmas". Forced, rushed altruism

.
[This message was edited Sat Feb 15 10:57:32 PST 2003 by rdhull]