"Sing Your Song": Remembering Harry Belafonte, Who Used His Fame to Help MLK & Civil Rights Movement

We remember the remarkable life of Harry Belafonte, the pioneering actor, singer and civil rights activist, who died at his home on Tuesday in New York at the age of 96. The son of Jamaican immigrants, Belafonte rose to stardom in the 1950s and became the first artist to sell a million records with his album Calypso. He was also the first African American actor to win an Emmy. Along with his growing fame, Belafonte became deeply involved in the civil rights movement. One of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s closest confidants, he helped to organize the March on Washington in 1963 and frequently raised money to bail activists out of jail and fund their activities throughout the South. Belafonte was also a longtime critic of U.S. foreign policy, calling for an end to the embargo against Cuba, supporting the anti-apartheid movement and opposing policies of war and global oppression. He spoke out against the U.S. invasion of Iraq and once called George W. Bush the "greatest terrorist in the world." Harry Belafonte appeared on Democracy Now! numerous times over the years. In 2011, we spoke to him upon the premiere of Sing Your Song, a documentary about his life, and we begin our special by featuring an extended excerpt from our interview. "Going into the South of the United States, listening to the voices of rural Black America, listening to the voices of those who sang out against the Ku Klux Klan and out against segregation, and women, who were the most oppressed of all, rising to the occasion to protest against their conditions, became the arena where my first songs were to emerge," Belafonte recalled.
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Transcript: www.democracynow.org/2023/4/2...
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[@SoupBone-bp1qk]

R.I.P. dear Mr. Belafonte. Jamaica is proud of you. 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@petternilsson4393]

A giant of a man i had the honor to see him in consert in Stockholm 1989.Never,never forget it .

[@shamaneikajohnson7117]

He hated black women so F him ‼️

[@lindaHalt1916]

Harry Belafonte was truly gifted and handsome. Me. Belafonte was truly sent by God. May he Rest-In-Peace❣️🙏🏾

[@paulbruney1072]

This is one of the Greatest men I’ve ever known !!!

[@linmorell1813]

He’s still so articulate in this interview, incredible man.

[@JohnHoffman65]

Harry Belafonte was a talented charismatic attractive gentleman with a heart for love and a mind for justice. America could not resist inviting him into their living rooms through the magic of television. I’m glad this man lived a long, long life to share with us his gifts and leadership. ❤

[@BrendaWiggins]

I grew up feeling that I knew this wonderful man. Hearing a couple folks who has met him or been the recipient of his generosity drew a young girl to follow him and sit intensively on the floor as close as my Mama would allow to hear him sing. He’ll always be a beautiful man with a heart of gold alive in the soul of the movement for freedom and human rights. I hope that our young people learn about the special people in the movement and their vocational achievement. RIP 🙏

[@petternilsson4393]

I agree 😊

[@bernardanaba2277]

He lived a full life. I'm inspired!

[@leftykeys6944]

What a beautiful man. Inside and out.

[@catherinehartmann1501]

One of the wisest, most articulate, enduring forces this Universe has ever known. Such a gift.

[@doneestoner9945]

Handsome as well.

[@rowenaburke4689]

A beautiful 96 years of giving and receiving . Yesterday my FB family flooded my timeline with nice vintage and contemporary pictures of Belafonte, such wonderful gifts from so many. We had him on this side for almost 10 decades. What a man .

[@reneem3895]

I could go on listening to him for hours. This is what it looks like to be an enlightened, intelligent & honorable man. He always came across as a genuine humanitarian. He will be missed, but he’s legacy will live on.

[@barbmckinnon1283]

I literally found myself smiling from ear to ear during this clip. What a wonderful man

[@vincentharris7909]

I found myself crying.

[@cheri238]

I have cried a lot today also. But we also can smile through this walk of life.

[@doneestoner9945]

I love ❤him

[@cheri238]

@@doneestoner9945 This world loves him always ❤️

[@ericrobinson7184]

An astonishing life led in the most turbulent of times!

[@dianashaw]

So thankful for his life and his giving of himself for the well-being of others ❤️🇯🇲. He embodies the Jamaica National Pledge

[@Amidat]

Indeed lickle Jamaica certainly helped shape him

[@rajo741]

As a kid from Europe who came to North America in the 60s, it was one of the great joys for me to learn the music of Harry Belafonte. And I became enamoured with the content of his character and the causes for which he fought. He was a beautiful man, inside and out.

[@vincentharris7909]

💯!

[@jeansmith2248]

Indeed.

[@Sthmohtwenty]

Hmmmmm u guys r I migrant in North America and u ppl make segregation...shame shame

[@rajo741]

@@Sthmohtwenty isn’t it funny that it’s not just white people who are racists? Who would’ve thought….

[@cesarzelaya5511]

My tears drop, as I write this. Thank you, Harry Belafonte for all you did, for the dignity of humanity...from Nicaragua , we love you.

[@cmaurice9133]

Thank you Sir for the fight of your people's Civil Rights. You are a beloved treasure. RIP.❤

[@oscarventura4669]

😊😊

[@doneestoner9945]

Amazing that he lived 96 years !

[@o.z.p.]

I was just 6 when Dr. King died. Harry Belafonte was a household name, as were many. His artistry will live on, dear souls are never forgotten. He aged extraordinarily well. God Bless. 😊

[@tvs9978]

He really did age well. Perfect skin. Regal face

[@wackyruss]

Daylight come… and we wan’ go home… Rest in Peace Mr. Belafonte! Your music and legacy of activism will live on forever in the collective minds of all humanity! Coconut Woman is Calling Out!

[@riokriok2863]

always gentleman and fighter for justice God bless you

[@tangabiang5282]

Thank you so much, Pa'a Belafonte, for fighting oppression.

[@nobodyexceptme7794]

Thank u for paying the respects. Sadly so many black channels and creators I follow...have barely even mentioned him. Just like everybody else, caught up more in whatever silly viral nonsense like The Flash movie trailer instead. Sad. We need more education and recognition of history in this country.

[@jeansmith2248]

I agree.

[@jodywho6696]

Thank You Amy. He's such a treasure. The world is lonely with out him. 💙💜💚🇺🇸

[@msjackson6131]

A True Warrior, Rest well dear Sir🙏🏽❤️🖤❤️

[@jimcarlblack3989]

Amy and Harry A winning combination Dancing on the Sun Life Is a long Song Not to die but to be Reborn Away from lands so Battered and torn..

[@mildredmartinez8843]

What a beautiful man. I mourn his passing as if he was my brother. Because he was. He was what we humans should strive to be. A fighter for the most cherished ideals we could fight for. Justice and human dignity. "Comy Mr. tally man, tally me bananas. Daylight come and me want go home."

[@judithcampbell1705]

Harry was quite a man. He stood for justice. So humble, intelligent and he will be missed. We lost a treasure, never to be replaced 💔. Rest in power and peace Harry. Thank you Amy 💛

[@gracestone5922]

The more he sang his songs over the years, black people were living it. In deep south of Mississippi ,I saw my parents , grandparents suffer this pain injustice. To the time he died, he took racism with him. A system still broken. R.I, P

[@truth4618]

Absolute! The system will also be broken. The diaspora blacks will also be second class citizens in every western counties until we raid our continent of corrupt people and policies...It does not matter how much freedom and positions the blacks get in the Diaspora, we will never achieve our greatest hope ( freedom from centuries of oppression and slavery in the oppressors' countries). The Europeans systems are not made for us, it i made for them, rightfully so)

[@bettylynne7364]

I grew up with this man's music on the turntable. I followed his important work as a activist. Happy trails, my brother.

[@kodonga1]

A great chunk of me has just left me because of the passing of this great artist and one of the finest humans to ever walk this earth! Words are not not enough to express my gratitude to this great man for his indelible work both as an artist and a relentless activist against oppression! Rest in eternal peace my Hero!

[@lesliemcgovern4724]

Rest in power, dear Harry Belafonte. Peace on you, your loved ones, and all people. Thank you, Amy Goodman & all at Democracy Now.

[@vincentharris7909]

Two hugely influential and respected individuals sitting and talking. Incredibly thought provoking. ❤

[@patrickgoldsmith4407]

Just started reading Undertow by Jeff Sharlet. Mr. Belafonte is a prominent figure therein. As the book brings him to life for me, I hear he dies. Losing folks who are a force for truth & justice tenders a space for a younger generation to carry on. Hopeful loving of our fellow beings remains.

[@duelenigma7732]

A treasure of a man on so many levels , thank you sir

[@jimhutchinson9817]

Yes. Paul Robsom's music prompted me to find out who he was. Likewise belafonte.

[@dragonglass422]

A true man speaks the truth no matter what. He did it all. You did your duty in which you came to serve humanity and you did it well. Now RIP

[@daren7889]

My dad was an Eisenhower Republican! He introduced our family to Garry Belafonte's wonderful music! Day -Oh! Probably reminded my dad about his days as a US Naval officer in the Caribbean ! 🥰🇩🇪🇨🇭🇺🇲💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[@Papin47]

RIP Mr. Belafonte, a beautiful and great human being, a life of generosity, activism, inspiration and incredible service indeed! Thank you, DN!

[@susannamarcelle4495]

Thank You Mr.Harry Belafonte for your Service to the People. Growing up in the Caribbean as a young girl one of my favorite song. (Banana Boat )Rest in Peace Mr.Belafonte .Well done,Good and faithful Servant.

[@docterryates340]

Gratulations Amy Goodman, without the prefix "Con" (meanings: against, to fool, trick, swindle, deceive, lie, beguile, ripoff, falsifying etc.) for uploading such educational NOT told interview of my Big inspirational brother Harry Belafonte. Amy Goodman, I fulljoyed listening 🎧 to your crackling, musical 🎶🎵 voice, and your witty journalistic memory of dates, in this Poignantly Informational interview. "HOW to THINK is much more productive than what to think, or believe." By Graspmathologist Dr R. Yates of Graspmatyx.

[@Jimmy1982Playlists]

RIP HARRY! 😥 🙏 Bless you for everything you did for justice in America and throughout the world...

[@Romean0407]

Thank you very much for everything you have done and said, Harry. You were a beautiful human being loved by so many people, all around the world.

[@IAMRebelations]

Amen🙏🏾

[@jeansmith2248]

I wholeheartedly agree.

[@jeansmith2248]

Job well done, my good and faithful servant. Major Kudos to the Harry Belafonte Legacy. 👏

[@Romean0407]

@@IAMRebelations Thank you Gloria.

[@Romean0407]

@@jeansmith2248 Thank you, Jean.

[@horacemcintire7622]

I wish that I could have said this before you passed away 🎉. But I say thank God for you and all that you brought to the plate form and love in your work. Thank you again " MR. HARRY BELAFONTE " 🙏 🕊 🎉🎉

[@claudiascott6484]

A gift to humanity. RIP dear Harry Belafonte. ➕🌷🎶🌷

[@rubysun7]

A true warrior for peace. Never afraid to speak out, nor afraid of the risks. “Peace IS courageous”. With thanks and love, Rest in Peace, Harry Belafonte.

[@wellingtonmiddleton3739]

One of the great ones from that Golden Age of music, entertainment and social activism has gone on to meet his Maker 🙏. R.I.P Mr Harry Belafonte - Your golden voice and songs will live on forever in your music, and your courageous unflinching activist stands will be remembered by all generations 💪. Always a fan from the beautiful, tranquil Islands of The Bahamas 🏝️🌅🏖️🇧🇸

[@theartofancientegyptianmet1747]

Thank you for documenting his journey and sharing his vision and voice with the world! He will always remain a Hero and ultimate freedom fighter!

[@LEGACYFOCUS]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Rest in God's strength until we meet again. Fought a good fight, stayed the course. You will be missed😢❤❤❤❤❤💋

[@anngore3842]

A big "Jamaican Farewell". We thank you for all your hard work and committment to challenge injustice as well as your beautiful folk songs reminiscent of island life. Great interview.❤

[@Aba_Ifeoma]

So grateful I got a chance to meet him and thank him for everything he did for our people 🥺❤🖤💚

[@mamadouba5619]

I was the bass player and musical director for Harry I am from Senegal 🇸🇳 I am very lucky to be close him rest in peace ☮️ Mister B

[@tafimutekwe2855]

What an articulate and passionately knowledgeable person Harry Belafonte was. Never one to simply gloat in his hugely successful entertainment career but went all the way out to make the world a much better place than he found it. We shall forever be indebted to him but in turn we shall celebrate the life and times of this great icon. MHDSRIEP.

[@katharinavonheydekampf]

what a beautiful soul and what a handsome handsome man who used his fame for good

[@paulachin9130]

Handsome to the end and what an amazing articulate human being.

[@Marxist2]

may he rest in peace. his music & his actions will live on.

[@omavicmcmurray2893]

Wow! What a great interview of such a Great man! Well done Harry and Amy!

[@jeansmith2248]

Yes!!!

[@leverneterrode1795]

My love is with the family rip

[@brendajohnson5525]

I grew up listening to Harry sing and most of all watched his involvement in the Civil Rights movement alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I remember vividly the horrible day when Dr. King was assassinated. They have now joined forces again in heaven as the fight for freedom is not over. Rest in power. 🙏🏽

[@zeevanatashazazhinne3136]

Please CC this excellent segment. And thank you Amy Goodman and Democracy Now! Daylight came. BLESSINGS on your Journey home and so much Gratitude Harry Belafonte.

[@tyroneglover2290]

Thank you mr. Belafonte for your strength and service to our people. May God be pleased with you. May your name always be horned amoungst our people who loved so well. R.I P. JOB WELL DONE.

[@djnkosi]

Thank you for this, DN! Rest in peace to a towering figure and freedom fighter. Thank you Mr. Belafonte. Rest in peace. God bless. 🙏🏽

[@flemmingnielsen4774]

6 4c

[@TomTom-xp2jb]

Love what you did for all peoples. We will miss you greatly!!! ❤

[@debbiemoore5945]

What a beautiful soul😇 RIP Harry Belafonte 🙏🏼

[@markleeper6850]

What a treasure💯❤️ Rest in Power King!

[@povdiaries]

Amazing man, Harry Belafonte will never be forgotten! R.I.P

[@CaroleCooper-crtX0]

Such erudite and poetic speech by this our beloved teacher, singer/chorister and moral mentor. How very lucky we were to hear him, hope with, and find more strength to work to start to turn America away from the toxicity of prejudice, and demeaning, hateful racism.

[@gloriouse4458]

🎹🎼⭐️THANK YOU FOR ALL THE BEAUTY YOU GAVE TO THE WORLD 🌍 🙏🏽😇💓💝

[@spotlight1220]

Rest in Peace 🙏 Great one❤

[@bjdefilippo447]

His music makes me smile and want to dance. Both that and his activism made the world a better place. RIP.

[@keithdixon4595]

April 25 2023 Rip Harry Belafonte you were a good friend to all the fight goes on thank you

[@vwwaa]

Just one more dance.........miriam makeba association with Mr B became a strong woman. Her speech at the UN made her deported from the US. she got alot of support by Mr B. Great man indeed. Rest In Song.

[@BCSTS]

Excellent interview with a great singer, a great man ! Thank you so much, Amy !

[@jodywho6696]

Thank You Amy as always you're the BEST💙💜💚🇺🇸

[@jeansmith2248]

I agree.

[@seensay2132]

When he says They weren’t prepared for the perils of everything they’d confront fighting for Civil Rights. I’ve often felt the citizens of 1950s & 1960s didn’t know how violent, how underhanded and lowdown local & Federal Government was to try to maintain the status quo. Simply working within the framework of a legal system that would use illegal tactics to preserve itself exposed their naivete

[@thomasdurham7527]

at the end of world war two Harry Truman found out how our black troops who had served were being treated in this country and by executive order had all the military fully integrated, One step on the way to improving things, Then the supreme court ruling that separate schools were inherently inferior. The next year our elementary school was integrated in a new school I assume federal money involved in it's creation. The following year we had a new integrated high school as well. Tom Durham Holts Summit Missouri

[@thomasdurham7527]

PS I loved Mr. Belafonte's music

[@traceythompson1092]

You mean to say "white citizens", because us black citizens have always known especially when we were considered 3/5 of a person.

[@bumperboots1]

Harry Belafonte a true legend , may you RIP

[@artimidz3451]

Thank you Amy! ✊

[@patoni860]

Harry Belafonte also paid the premium on the only insurance policy that Doctor Martin Luther King had for $100,000. It was Harry Belafonte that paid that... otherwise the family would have been totally financially bereft

[@UTubeISphere]

@@lavalavalavalavalava why not? From the NYT obituary: 'He provided money to bail Dr. King and other civil rights activists out of jail. He took part in the March on Washington in 1963. His spacious apartment on West End Avenue in Manhattan became Dr. King’s home away from home. And he quietly maintained an insurance policy on Dr. King’s life, with the King family as the beneficiary, and donated his own money to make sure that the family was taken care of after Dr. King was assassinated in 1968.'

[@inezsmall8474]

What a man💯

[@ronniehayes178]

What a great interview with HARRY Belafonte, thanks again. Would loved seat and meet you someday. Want you to know that I enjoy Democratic Now more then any other news outlets. You always make my morning..

[@jo-annerichardson34]

Thank you so much Amy and everyone at dn for this beautiful compilation of such a wonderful gentleman, Harry Belafonte. What strength and grace he had. Much should be learned from his humanity. Godspeed sir.❤

[@ravensdotter6843]

Stand up, everybody. A great man has passed.

[@ginamitembe8935]

Thanks sooooo much for airing Harry's death and his relentless fight for justice all over the world! Ooooooooh very sad, 😢😢but we thank God for his life and his achievements for humanity🙏. May he rest in peace!! 💖💞💫🌟🌟🌟🌍🌍💯👍

[@jessicabrown7766]

Thank you for standing up for our struggles and injustices. May you rest in eternal peace you've left your mark on this earth Rip

[@joehoey6337]

a great man R.I.P

[@feddi7693]

R.I.Power harry 🖤💛💚

[@harryadeclat9607]

Rest in peace tokay, you have fought the good fight, your songs and what you have stood for Will stay forever. May your soul Rest in Peace 🕊️.

[@maisieleader536]

Rest in love and light will shine down on your next journey...what a humanity..❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Caring for rights and change is going to come...

[@andrewmacdonald1904]

Godspeed Harry. Thank you for everything.

[@wofakwame4163]

Man is once born, live a life and finally say goodbye. Another mentor is gone but A legend never dies

[@Alejandro-zz3io]

Excellent report, thank you very much... and congratulations to Democracy Now! excellent channel

[@nontokozoluthuli1704]

Rest in Peace . You ran your race with so much commitment to all that you did . We salute you for your role in being part of our freedom struggles as South Africans .

[@anaiis_salles]

Thank you so much for this sharing of Harry Belafonte's glorious life!

[@bonniejackson1321]

What a magnificent man, both he and Martin Luthor King. I was raised to the background of his songs.

[@msmacmac1000]

Harry Belafonte was one of our greatest citizens of all time. His greatness and brilliance are unparalleled. Rest In Peace, good sir. Thanks Amy for this brilliant interview.

[@bridgettehutton646]

Thank you Harry, you carried the Jamaican flag high and made us proud of your achievements in helping to bring about civil rights for black people. Condolence to your family and friends. Your work on earth is finished. Well done good and faithful servant....rest in heavenly peace❤️❤️🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲!!!

[@TheeStrawberryLee]

A TOUR DE FORCE!!! RIP Brother Belafonte 💚💚💚 i had no idea about his activism… wow, I need to read more!!!

[@marjoriemckenzie4247]

When I was a "Teenager" growing up, I had a "crush" on this Tall, Dark & Handsome " man and imagined myself being with him.😊 I loved him, and all of his songs, especially "Island in the Sun" being a J'Can. I have so many of his songs, secular and Spiritual I admired him for all that he did as a Singer,, an Actor and an Activist, fighting for "Human Rights" You deserved all the Awards and Accolades that you received. You will be greatly missed. GOD bless you. Rest in Eternal Peace. and may Light Perpetual shine upon you. My prayers and deepest Condolences go out to your family at this time. ❤️😭 Addendum: Beautiful conducted Interview.!!👌👏👏

[@susanncarter6201]

What a wonderful man, father and inspiration to so many. My condolences to the family. A life well lived, Harry! He deserves to be respected and remembered.

[@ThunderboltWisdom]

What a class act he was. And what an impact he made.😔✌️

[@mariaceballos324]

What a great life, he lived! A true hero!!! My condolences to his family 🙏🏼.

[@patriciamiller4275]

As we say in Jamaica, “Walk gud Harry an tell dem adda one oudy.” Thanks for representing 🇯🇲 and our race so very well.

[@MK-hh1vo]

This was good. Did not expect to cry like a baby at the halfway mark until the end!!! RIP and thank you, kind Sir 🙏🏾

[@daren7889]

Harry Belafonte was an amazing man! He will live forever in his music! White woman here! I have so much respect for any black person who goes to the South. Driving through Mississippi on a trip to New Orleans , I have to admit I found that to be scary! I knew what had happened in the 1960's when police officers turned German Shepherds on black Civil Rights workers! Mississippi was a scary place for me too! Thank God more and more and more people are and still do stand up against injustice,!

[@daviddoby4645]

To show our love, support, appreciation and honor Mr. Belafonte we must pick up the torch and light up all the dark and ugly places that exist !!! ❤🙏🏿🎼🦋🌺