I greatly enjoyed an interview with Harry Belafonte that was carried by both radio 4 and the world service. I hope I still have such a strength in my convictions should I make it to that venerable age. Mr Belafonte was heavily involved in the civil right movement in America in the 60′s. It was he who recommended that President Kennedy should seek out Dr Martin Luther King, little known outside of the black community if he was serious about supporting the black civil rights movement.
He has continued to espouse his deeply felt political and social beliefs, more recently with his crticisms of George W Bush, Iraq and also questioning the true equal status of black Americans United States Secretary of State Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice in Bush’s government whom he saw as only serving the cause of their “master”.
Belafonte:
“Hitler had a lot of Jews high up in the hierarchy of the Third Reich.”
What an admirable guy, and sharp intellect as well.
Yes, one of his more headline grabbing quotes. I enjoyed the interview greatly and especially enjoyed him egging the interviewer on to attack his viewpoint some more so he could defend it even more robustly.An unbowed spirit.
I had the pleasure of hearing a Belafonte lecture here in Baltimore last April. I loved every second. I even got a chance to share with him some of the social justice activity that I’ve been (and am) a part of. Mr. Belafonte is a giant for social justice. I just pray that younger generations will have the same level of courage that he displays.
i saw a few more of harry belafonte’s songs on youtube.
have a post on his ’59 carnegie hall concert today.
you are invited to read it here:
Belafonte at Carnegie Hall [LIVE]
Hi rk, thanks for dropping in. Thanks for the link to your own Harry Belafonte memories.