Remembering that Mr Belafonte put our island in the sun

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Mr Harry Belafonte, the brilliant and charismatic superstar, is known worldwide as a great singer and actor. What is less known, perhaps, is that he has been a political activist in the struggle against racism, discrimination, political oppression, violence and poverty.

His lifelong history of fighting for peace, freedom and justice was profiled on Monday night in an hour-and-a-half documentary on the American network HBO. The timing was apposite given that the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial was dedicated in Washington, DC the day before. It is not widely known that Mr Belafonte played a crucial role in the civil rights movement in the 1960s in the USA, becoming a dedicatee of the struggle after a meeting with Mr King.

Mr Belafonte used his fame, friendships and connections in the entertainment world to mobilise the support of celebrities such as Messrs Charlton Heston, Tony Bennett and Marlon Brando. He attended and participated in numerous civil rights marches, demonstrations, concerts and meetings and persuaded other celebrities to appear at these events. He was also a generous financial contributor and raised funds from the Hollywood crowd including Bahamian-born Mr Sidney Poitier.

Mr Taylor Branch, in his three-volume masterpiece on King and the civil rights struggle 1954-1968, records Mr Belafonte's financial contribution at a time when the movement was totally bereft of money. There can be no doubting his courage and sacrifice.

For Mr Belafonte the struggle was not confined to the United States where he challenged racism at every opportunity at the risk of his career and indeed his life. On several occasions in his stellar career his accomplishments broke the 'ceiling' for what was then called "Negroes". He was active in the fight against Apartheid and the campaign for liberation from colonialism in Africa.

He created opportunities for the oppressed to speak truth to power and was instrumental in launching the career of Ms Miriam Makeba. Wherever he saw injustice, discrimination and oppression he has sought to do something about it and this commitment has led him to be engaged with issues such as democracy in Haiti, gangs in Los Angeles and prison reform to help Black and Hispanic inmates.

Born in 1927 to a Jamaican mother and a Martiniquan father, Mr Belafonte lived with his grandmother in Jamaica from 1932 until 1940. His penchant for Caribbean music and song was in the genes and in the nurturing. His worldwide calypso hits established Jamaica as a cultural and tourism destination to a global audience.

Mr Harry Belafonte will forever be remembered for singing Island In The Sun, Day-O and Jamaica Farewell, but his most important contribution may very well be as a celebrity who devoted his talent, resources and prominence as a political activist.

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COMMENTS (26)

george watson
10/20/2011

@Will Will. I think Harry Belafonte used to spend holidays in the Alexandria area of St. Ann. He had a cousin, Horace Love who hailed from those parts, went to Kingston Technical High School and held a top job at Kaiser before he was transferred to another top Job in the United States with Kaiser Aluminum.
Heard that Horace was the only black man in the plant which he headed. The employees made no secret that they didn’t want a black man in charge and sabotaged every effort he made. Horace took sick shortly afterwards and some say he died of a broken heart. Horace’s wife and daughters still live in the California area.
Dr. Gallimore, former M.P. who still lives in Alexandria could provide much more information here.

RED ANTS
10/19/2011

@Howie J,you have pointed out that an error was there this morning,if you are right the observer should not have remove it but instead make an apology.Just the same way they made the apology over Tufton beating Buchanan in the last election when it was really Redwood that Tufton had beaten.

RED ANTS
10/19/2011

@Calvin & Marie,Are you sure both of you wasn't still asleep when you were reading this story? The Editor is correct,no where in the article said the man was born in Jamaica,He lived in Jamaica as a child but was born in New York,The song Day O is a copy of Miss Lou folk song.

Raymond Smih
10/19/2011

I read the article this morning, and yes there was a mistake. The editorial did indicate that Mr. Belfonte was born in Jamaica. It was a mistake, and it was addressed. People just coudn't look at the bigger picture, whichs hi accomplishments and his love for his parents homeland. You should be proud and stop being so petty

Antonette W.
10/19/2011

I don't know if some people are born false prophets or simply daft. Nowhere in this article does it state that Mr. Belafonte was born in JA. What a shame that the entire point was lost in this positive and informative piece because some of us only read to be critical. It seems to be more important for some of us to look for faults and have the last word rather than to give accolades to someone who is so deserving. I wish there were more Harry Belafontes in this world.

howie J
10/19/2011

Not that I agree with the angry tone of those who pointed out the error, but yes there was an error earlier today.

Lex Jay
10/19/2011

It is clear that the editorial did NOT state Mr. Belafonte was born in Jamaica. The passage chose to focus on his heritage and not location of birth. It is only fair that those persons who misinterpreted the piece and cried shame on the editor should "man up" and apologies. Fair is fair, we should be held by the same standards that we hold others to.
I agree with @Will that the story could have been much stronger and compelling if other elements about Mr. Belafonte heritage were included.

10/19/2011

Is this the same person that was banned from Jamaica when JLP was in power some time ago???

Dave Peart
10/19/2011

Mr. Belafonte lived with his grandmother in a community called Armadale in St. Ann. It is located between Alexandria and Inverness in St. Ann. He lived 5 miles from where Bob Marley was born and 10 miles from where Marcus Garvey was born. St. Ann is the parish of Great people !!!!

10/19/2011

My fellow Jamaican bloggers who are criticizing the editor. nothing was said about Mr Belafonte being born in Jamaica: go read a book and wise up !!!! The article said : "Born in 1927 to a Jamaican mother and a Martiniquan father"

Vincent Murray
10/19/2011

Most of these bloggers are showing their ignorance and lack of comprehension abilities. No where in this article does it say that Mr. Belafonte was born in Jamaica. Go back and read it again.

Nejeeper KNG
10/19/2011

We are SOOOO petty that is why politicians play tricks with us and we are where we are; barbaric and ignorant. Even in plain writing we will twist the truth to bring out our DARK egos. SAD!!!!!!

Karen Gayle
10/19/2011

If all of you who commented on the editorial mentioning 'where' he was born would just read and not be so quick to judge. Where in this article does it say he was 'born in Jamaica'? It says "Born in 1927 to a Jamaican mother and a Martiniquan father, Mr Belafonte lived with his grandmother in Jamaica from 1932 until 1940."
Reading is fundamental - mi dun tawk!

Rewrite Laws
10/19/2011

@Mr Mike Williams i know u mean good, but Wikipedia is the least credible source of all to quote. Wikipedia's content can be edited by just about anyone that visit the site. Mr Belafonte was indeed born in New York City!

John Wise
10/19/2011

Why should the essence of a great editorial be lost in the triviality of where Mr Belafonte was born? Does this error take away from the main point? Grow up!

N Manley Blythe
10/19/2011

That's right Observer and Clovis, increase the tension, it can only help to promote unity and peace in "Murder Capital". It is sad enough that Shaw and Dabdoub descend to the depths of baseness but, must you?
What say you both when tribalists decide to take to the streets with "Leggo Beast" "Loader Man" and "Dinosaur" posters? Do you see any peace negotiations here?
Why do all that you can to encourage slackness? What about "The political silly season"? Or did I misinterpret the EDITORIAL?

Albert Grant
10/19/2011

What's the big deal? weather he was born in Jamaica or America the Editorial is right on. Some people always looking for somethings to criticise. What's wrong with you people?
"MY GOD"

Mister Green
10/19/2011

@ Marie Marson.. The article never said he was born in Jamaica it stated "Born in 1927 to a Jamaican mother and a Martiniquan father, Mr Belafonte lived with his grandmother in Jamaica from 1932 until 1940" reading and comprhending is obviously lacking

Mike Williams
10/19/2011

Mr. Editor the least you could have done is to go to Wikipedia and do a biography profile of the goodly gentleman before you embarrass yourself and the name of Jamaican journalist. Mr. Belafonte was born in New York. I went to Wikipedia and found his profile.
Born Harold George Belafonte,[1] Jr., at Lying-in Hospital, New York City, New York, Belafonte was the son of Melvine (née Love) – a housekeeper (of Jamaican descent) – and Harold George Belafonete, Sr., a Martiniquan.

Andrea Watson
10/19/2011

That is why you cant take everything you see write in paper as gospel, Harry was not born in Jamaica and to see this inaccuracy from the Editor is proof enough that you haffe know for yuhself

Will Will
10/19/2011

Is it at Mr. Belafonte's wish why his family connection is not made known beyond being born of a Jamaican mother? Would it not be great to have some historical accuracy here? Does Mr. Belafonte still have family in Jamaica? What was his maternal family name? Where did Mr. Belafonte live while he stayed with his grand mother in Jamaica?

calvin jackson
10/19/2011

he wasnt born in jamamica, check your information

Farruk BMA
10/19/2011

Fox News diss him last night so you know he must be doing something right.

David Armstrong
10/19/2011

We need people like Harry Belafonte who can speak truth to power to fight against the corruption in the political system. You rightly noted that he has been a political activist in the struggle against racism, discrimination, political oppression, violence and poverty. Some (or maybe all) of the very problems JA is grappling with right now. We need people like him to keep our island in the sun and we need to get rid of those that put us in the cold cess pool of corruption of violence.

marie marson
10/19/2011

Editorial -this is not good. it is imperative that you get your story accurate proir to printing. Belafonte was not born in jamaica,he was born in America, his mom is Jamaican

Richie L
10/19/2011

I thought Harry Belafonte was born in New York..........
.
Richie

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Remembering that Mr Belafonte put our island in the sun