Harry Belafonte makes me ashamed that I've become so pessimistic and fatalistic

[Armstead]

Like many other DUers, especially those of us in the "old fart" age category, I've become very ground down and cynical by the general direction of things. Tired of seeing both the small up-and-down cycles that seem to be trending in a downward overall direction.

And I've posted a few threads on that here in the last couple of weeks.

This AM had MSNBC in the background, and Melissa Harris Perry just interviewed Harry Belafonte.

Kind of makes me ashamed for letting myself feel like giving up and tuning out from the fray.

The dang guy is close to 90. If anyone has a right to be jaded and cynical and tuned out it's him. If anyone has earned the right to sit back in a rocking chair and grumble about the world, it's him. He's been through it all, and seen all of the struggles and is well aware of the backsliding.

And he is very clear eyed about how awful things have become. He has absolutely no illusions about what has happened to the country and the world, and he takes no prisoners in his assessment of where we've gone wrong.

BUT he remains tuned in, committed and hopeful despite it all. He is still fighting for truth and justice, and still doing his best to turn the tide. He is still active in getting his younger counterparts in the creative arts -- including the materialistic rappers-- involved in the movement for social change.

And he remains vigorous as a result. Continuing to be engaged in the world has obviously been good for him.

Dang. Talk about a positive role model for the later years of life. We have to keep people like that in mind.

[scarletlib]

1. You are so right.

I watched the entire interview. He is an inspiration to us all.

[Bluenorthwest]

2. An amazing person on so many levels. Harry has been savaged by some on DU for

daring to speak criticism of the President, and so you might get some interesting responses. Here is a thread where unbelievable trash was written about this great artist and activist, our elder and frankly our better.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002158034#post7

[Armstead]

3. He's no shrinking violet, that's for sure

He calls it as he sees it, which has gotten him in hot water numerous times.

Rather than seeing him as a turncoat when he criticizes those in power, regaredless of party affiliation, I wish those people would see him as a voice of conscience.

[bvar22]

13. Anyone visiting the thread linked in the above post,

....remember to bring a Barf Bag.
That thread is epic, and more than a little disgusting.

[questionseverything]

27. wow @ that old thread

thank goodness folks set the record straight with tons of facts and links....while I knew hb was an activist I did not know he actually supplemented dr kings income or how much of the activist activities he paid for...one person can make a huge difference

[adirondacker]

38. Thanks for pointing that out. Ughhh! nt

[valerief]

4. He is terrific, but he's also had a privileged life. That makes it easier to be optimistic, I think.

Of course, maybe you've had a privileged life, too.

[Armstead]

8. He's had a risky life where he has cionstantly put himself oin the line

hell he could have stuck to singing and enjoyed the fruits of his success and just been an amiable entertainer.

Instead he put himself and his career on the line many times.

I think that's pretty admirable.

[valerief]

10. I agree. Joe-gotta-work-60-hours-a-week-for-shit-pay-to-stay-alive

hasn't had the options to take the risks Belafonte has.

[Armstead]

11. The Joe gotta wiork, etcs. iof the world are what brought us unions, etc.

I think that's a facile stereotype. Belafonte shouldn't be dismissed because he was successful. That sounds like Bil O'reily and other Faux news guys going after those "liberal celebrities."

And looking at history, "Joe gotta work...etc." people were also the ones who helped propel most of the social and economic advances, and the challenges to the Corporate oligarchs. They risked to form unions, participated in civil rights movements, etc.

The problem today is that too many people have chosen to disengage.

More people like Belafonte are needed, regardless of their status in life.

[valerief]

43. Correct. He's not being dismissed. Once he was successful, it was easier for him to fight.

That was my point. That was all. I meant nothing about his upbringing. We need more successful people to fight injustice.

[roguevalley]

14. doesn't change a thing. he is the anti Jamie dimond. and I am

sure his upbringing wasn't golden. he never forgot powerlessness or want.

[El_Johns]

12. His mother was a housekeeper & his father a cook. He started his work life as a janitor.

Born Harold George Bellanfanti, Jr.,[3] at Lying-in Hospital in Harlem, New York, Belafonte was the son of Melvine (née Love) – a housekeeper of Jamaican descent – and Harold George Bellanfanti, Sr., a Martiniquan who worked as a chef in the National Guard.[4][5][6][7][8][9] From 1932 to 1940, he lived with his grandmother in her native country of Jamaica. When he returned to New York City, he attended George Washington High School[10] after which he joined the Navy and served during World War II.[7] In the 1940s, he was working as a janitor's assistant in NYC when a tenant gave him, as a gratuity, two tickets to see the American Negro Theater.

At the end of the 1940s, he took classes in acting at the Dramatic Workshop of The New School in New York...Belafonte started his career in music as a club singer in New York to pay for his acting classes... In 1952 he received a contract with RCA Victor...

Belafonte supported the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and was one of Martin Luther King Jr.'s confidants. He provided for King's family, since King made only $8,000 a year as a preacher.

Like many other civil rights activists, Belafonte was blacklisted during the McCarthy era. He bailed King out of Birmingham City Jail and raised thousands of dollars to release other civil rights protesters. He financed the Freedom Rides, supported voter registration drives, and helped to organize the March on Washington in 1963.

During "Freedom Summer" in 1964 Belafonte bankrolled the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, flying to Mississippi that August with Sidney Poitier and $60,000 in cash and entertaining crowds in Greenwood...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Belafonte

[Benton D Struckcheon]

29. Thanks for posting that.

I had no idea at all of all that.

[niyad]

36. a "privileged life"?? perhaps you would consider acquainting yourself with his biography?

[Generic Other]

5. He has given so much

His songs. His marching for justice with King. His lifetime of commitment to the ideals we all fight for. His standing up to the Bush administration's lying warmongers when so many others refused to stick their necks out. He deserves much credit.

[bvar22]

6. Always a DURec for this great man

a Role Model and Inspiration for us all

He remained true to his values,
and never let his head be turned by fame, money, or [access to power.

[spanone]

7. k&r...

[tabasco]

9. My sentiments exactly.

It's guys like Harry, who never give up, who make change happen.

I'm ashamed of myself too.

[JNelson6563]

15. Great post Armstead!

Well said!

Julie

[awoke_in_2003]

16. K&R for a class act. nt

[toby jo]

17. Armstead, don't forget, we won. Bigtime. Big, big, big, bigtime.

A classy man beat out Johnny Money Bucks.

Thanks for the heads up on Belafonte. I wasn't aware he was that involved in human rights. Great facts upthread. And he's still got the fire? Well fucking goddamn good!

[ProSense]

18. Videos

Harry Belafonte on the messaging of hip-hop
http://www.msnbc.com/melissa-harris-perry/watch/harry-belafonte-on-the-messaging-of-hip-hop-126604867760

Harry Belafonte on using artists to fight unjust systems
http://www.msnbc.com/melissa-harris-perry/watch/harry-belafonte-on-the-messaging-of-hip-hop-126604867760

[Htom Sirveaux]

26. Thank you for posting those!

Examples of indomitable motivation are so inspiring!

[Spitfire of ATJ]

19. I keep reminding people the CHANGE Obama promised was away from Smirk and Shrub.

[Armstead]

22. Well that shouldn't mean back to what allowed Smirk to get away with so much

[Spitfire of ATJ]

23. What's funny is I remember telling Conservatives arguing for a Unitary Executive,...

"What happens if someone gets into office that you don't like?"

They absolutely thought at the time that was a stupid argument because it could NEVER happen.

[progressoid]

37. Harry seemed to think Obama failed in that mission.

"Barack Obama and his mission has failed because it has lacked a certain kind of moral courage, a certain kind of moral vision that we are in need of." According to the Wall Street Journal, he later added, "There is still a lot of opportunity for that corner to be turned."

"When he said, 'Yes, we can,' it may have been politically clever," Belafonte continued. "He never defined for us what he said ... So those of us who felt that we needed change filled in that space with our own images of what we thought he meant only to find out we are all disappointed because none of those things have been satisfied."

http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/Harry-Belafonte-criticizes-President-Obama-saying-his-mission-has-failed/8279048

[The Traveler]

20. A fine example of a fine human being

The best people seem to never stop trying to find some way to shine the light ... just 'cause they want it seen. The man is an inspiration.

Trav

[swilton]

21. K&R

For Belafonte's commitment and setting an example for the rest of us.

[truedelphi]

24. He is awesome and inspiring.

Every time someone here on DU says I am racist for not embracing the deadly policies of the current President, I can only think to myself how neat it would be to wake up in some other reality with Mr Harry Belafonte as the Prez.

Now that is a reality I would enjoy.

No one could blame Belafonte if he slowed down or relaxed, as he is over 80 years old.

But his new cause of trying to stop the Big Money and its intertwined political forces that are putting our youngest kids into prisons, with chains and shackles to boot - Gosh, he just really deserves to be given the best person of the decade award.

[JaneyVee]

25. <---Eternal optimist.

[duhneece]

28. We can feel shame (for a minute) then feel inspired to DO something

Shame paralyzes us (see TED talk by Brene Brown)...doesn't help at all. I know shame intimately...
Folks like Belafonte and Granny D are who I want to focus on, remember, and then ACT in a healthy, productive (however I define those) manner. We can be inspired, once we get over the shame.

[imthevicar]

30. The following is as much venting as teaching.

I understand The definition of insanity, So I have not been doing the same thing over and over again. Mr. Belafonte Is a wonderful and inspiring sort of Man. (He Has enough to be so, I do not.) So My New Motto Is "Expect the best but prepare for the worst." and I act on that.

To anyone who studies History it's all to obvious, The system will Implode. Greed will rule. Unlike the last gilded Age in the US, we had a proportional House, well that ceased to exist in 1911. We Now have 2 houses of lords, an Imperial presidency, and a supreme court for the most part, that should be impeached. both Neo-cons and Neo-Libs seem determined to sell us to the highest bidder. and now that the wages have been suppressed to the point that the old low paying public workers jobs pay better, The Private sector demands that the pols put those jobs up for bids too. And they act like one of those GOP "Compliant wives" and do so.
The Police have not only been militarized but have also been placed in the model of Boss Tweeds Dictum, " Hire half of the poor to keep the other half in line." They Now have been Instructed their Job does not require them to protect the public, just enforce the Law. IE, suppress any Public decent, by any means necessary. The Proles will pick up the bill later.
Our Poor have been blamed for their plight, The Middle class have been told that the Trade Pacts Like NAFTA and TAFTA are good for them as they watch their Jobs packed up and shipped off to some place the pays their workers a bowl of GMO rice and a Irradiated fish. While A CROOK like Jimmy "Da' Scumbag" Diamond, (who himself should be dangling on the end of a short piece of rope,) Tells those in the halls of power that the TPP will be even better for us.
The "NEWS Media is aloud to lie to the people using their own airwaves for free, Our Vote is ALMOST Meaningless because of the faith based voting system in the US. and While some in the house and senate may be of some good character, I see no hope for the rest of us Proles.
This is why I tell all who will listen, "It's going to get worse, a lot worse, than you, even you can imagine in your darkest orwellian nightmares. Before it even begins to get better." My Friends, POWER NEVER YEILDS! Power must be wrest from those who have it, that is the lesson that History teaches. Deny this at your own peril

[Armstead]

32. Gee and I thought I was in a funk.....I feel like Polyanna by comparison

But in my angrier venting moods, I can't disagree with much of what you said

But that's why I try to keep people like Belafionte in mind. he's seen the worst and sees through the bullshit, and still manages to push us to do better. And it seems it makes him more of a happy man.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

31. He attended the 2010 progressive One Nation Working Together Rally in DC. I was impressed.

Don't read the comments.

[ErikJ]

33. Good luck with the bling-humping rappers Harry.

[mountain grammy]

34. My mom was a huge Belefonte fan and took me to see him many times in the 60"s.

At summer playhouses in Connecticut and once in NY. Saw him once with Miriam Makeba. Wonderful performances, a thrill even for a teenage girl who lived and breathed rock and roll.

[bluestate10]

35. Wise people,

realize that they can't win difficult struggles in their lifetime. But they can advance and prepare a younger generation for advancement.

[loudsue]

39. I didn't realize you were an old fart, Armstead!

Me, too!

I have always thought Harry Belafonte was wonderful. He's wonderful in every way. I wish I had seen him on tv today.

Thanks for posting this Belafonte update!

[liberal_at_heart]

40. The only thing that keeps me hopeful is knowing that history always repeats itself.

The wealthy may have all the power now, but this has happened before in history. And it has also happened that the people have taken the power back. This is the cycle of things. Eventually the people will take the power back. That I have no doubt. How long it will take and whether it is peaceful or violent, I have no idea.

[BlueMTexpat]

41. I've always been wild about

Harry!

[GeorgeGist]

42. Not knocking Harry or you ...

but chances are if you had his money and lifestyle, you might be less jaded too.

[G_j]

44. To be hopeful in bad times

"To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, and kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places-and there are so many-where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility to send this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don't have to wait for some grand Utopian future. This future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory."

-Howard Zinn