Nov. 3, 2025 – Ann is in OurLittleCorner today
Come Together as One
The date? January 28, 1985. Forty years ago.
Ronald Reagan, age 74, was beginning his 2nd term as U.S. President.
Bob Dylan, Diana Ross, and Paul Simon were all in their mid-40’s. Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, and Harry Belafonte were mid-50’s. Cindi Lauper was 31 and Lionel Richie was 35; Michael Jackson, 26. They were all part of an amazing, talented, and diverse group of singers who gathered that evening in Hollywood to record “We Are the World” – written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson.
(an aside: Stevie Wonder greeted the musicians that evening as they arrived and said that if the recording was not completed in one take, he and Ray Charles, two blind men, would drive everybody home!)
Harry Belafonte had organized the group, hoping that the proceeds from the recording would help provide food and aid for the famine in Ethiopia (which killed about one million people) and would also help eliminate hunger in the United States. And the mission was accomplished. According to the detailed article in Wikipedia, “one year after the release of ‘We Are the World’, organizers noted that $44.5 million had been raised for USA for Africa’s humanitarian fund.”
No matter what your sentiments are about Reagan’s presidency, it’s hard not to appreciate his concern for the world’s people, as evidenced in this October 1984 memo from Reagan’s office: “In December 1983, the President asked for a high level interagency study of the worldwide hunger situation. This study was chaired by Ambassador Robert Keating, the President’s envoy to Madagascar and Comoros. The President announced on July 10 of this year a major initiative to respond more quickly and effectively to the food needs of the people of Africa and the world suffering from hunger and malnutrition.”
Just as Reagan’s initiative, this beautiful song, “We Are the World”, has been described as an appeal to human compassion.
“When you’re down and out
And there seems no hope at all
But if you just believe
There’s no way we can fall…
Let’s realize…that a change can only come
When we stand together as one.”
“We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true, we’ll make a better day
Just you and me.”
If you’re trying to figure out all of the singers, here’s a list and the spot on the recording when they appear.
(another aside: I was always a big fan of John Denver, so it was interesting to read that Denver had practically begged to be a part of this recording but was turned down for the fear that he was not “pop-rock” enough.)
Given that the focus of that evening was on Africa, I thought a recipe with African roots was in order. The NYTimes has a recipe for Maraq Digaag, which comes from Somalia. Maraq Digaag often uses camel for the meat, but I think you’ll find it easier to use chicken.
The Somali blend of spices called Xawaash which is used in the recipe caught my attention. It’s supposed to be the Somali version of India’s Garam Masala. I tried a recipe from the blog Xawaash.com, posted by a Somali couple living in Canada, which uses whole spices that are ground together and then toasted, but I’m opting for the easier recipe from the Times and Ifrah Ahmed. Note: I made a couple of minor changes to Ahmed’s recipe, including reducing the amount.
Here is Ahmed’s recipe as posted in the NYTimes:
Xawaash - Somali Spice Blend
- 4 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cardamon
- 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
Add all of the spices – except the turmeric – to a small frying pan and toast over low heat, stirring continuously, for about one minute, or until the spice mix becomes fragrant. Remove from the heat and stir in the turmeric. Store in an airtight glass jar.