“Art in its highest form is art that serves and instructs society and human development,” poetic words spoken by singer, actor and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte. He popularized Calypso music with American audiences in the 1950s and 1960s and is hailed as the “King Of Calypso.” He achieved lasting success with songs like “Day-O” (The Banana Boat Song) and “Jump in the Line” (Shake, Senora). Harry’s record breaking album Calypso (1956) was the first album in history to sell over one million copies within a year of release. He also starred in several films, including Carmen Jones (1954), Island in the Sun (1957), Buck and the Preacher (1972), and Uptown Saturday Night (1974). Harry achieved some of the highest honors in the public eye and was nominated for seven Emmys, ten Grammys, and one Tony, winning four of the awards.
Born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. on March 1, 1927 in Harlem, New York, he was the son of Caribbean parents. During his childhood, he split his time between Harlem and Jamaica. His mother was firm on him getting an education. However, Harry found school to be difficult due to dyslexia. At the age of 17, he decided to drop out of high school and join the Navy. When he returned home, he found work as a janitor’s assistant. One day on the job, he was given theater tickets as a tip. This was his first introduction to theater. That night he was inspired by the performances and found his life’s calling.
His first film role was in “Bright Road,” which debuted in 1953, in which he co-starred alongside Dorothy Dandridge. The two then starred in Otto Preminger’s hit musical, “Carmen Jones” in 1954.
In the early 1970s, Belafonte appeared in more films, including two with Sidney Poitier – “Buck and the Preacher,” which debuted in 1972 and “Uptown Saturday Night,” which made its debut in 1974. Belafonte’s film career continued well into the 80s and 90s with “Beat Street,” “White Man’s Burden,” “Kansas City,” and more.
His breakthrough album “Calypso,” (1956) introduced American audiences to Calypso music and became the first album in history to sell over one million copies within a year of release. Harry was the first Black American man to receive an Emmy Award, with his first solo TV special “Tonight with Belafonte.”
While primarily known for Calypso, Harry recorded in many different genres, including Blues, Jazz, Folk, and Gospel. In 1960, Harry was named Cultural Adviser to the Peace Corps. He later organized the multi-artist recording “We Are the World,” which won the 1985 Grammy Award for Record of the Year and raised millions of dollars for famine relief in Africa.
As an activist, Harry remained focused on the important issues of racism, poverty and oppression. He was instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement, serving as one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s most trusted confidants. He was part of the organizational team behind the March on Washington where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. He also helped plan Dr. King’s memorial after Dr. King’s assassination in 1968.
Harry was the recipient of numerous honors. In 1994, he received the National Medal of the Arts from U.S President Bill Clinton. He was also awarded the Ronald McDonald House Charities’ Award of Excellence in recognition of his humanitarian work and the Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award for 25 years of service to UNICEF. He also served as a Goodwill Ambassador for 36 years.
On April 25, 2023, Belafonte died at age 96 at his Manhattan home. He is remembered for the impact he made on the world, for helping break down the color barrier in film, bringing self-respect to the portrayal of Black characters, and fighting for equality around the globe. His legacy continues to live on.
AWARDS & HONORS
- Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Musical Program or Series in 1960
- Grammy Award for Best Folk Performance in 1960
- Grammy Award for Best Folk Recording in 1965
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 1954
- Kennedy Center Honors recipient in 1989
- National Medal of Arts in 1994
- Recipient of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Governors Awards in 2014
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000
QUOTES:
“You can cage the singer but not the song.”
“My activism always existed. My art gave me the platform to do something about the activism.”
“Movements don’t die, because struggle doesn’t die.”
“I am a man who perceives life in a certain way, a man who rejects things that defecate on humankind, who rejects anything that will not give people room for dissent.”
“I don’t think that we are a species or a people that can exist without making mistakes somewhere along the line.”
“Although slavery may have been abolished, the crippling poison of racism still persists, and the struggle still continues.”
“Art in its highest form is art that serves and instructs society and human development.”
“Peace is necessary. For justice, it is necessary. For hope, it is necessary, for our future.”
“I’m always suspicious of celebrities that write about their lives.”
“You can be arrested and not charged. You can be arrested and have no right to counsel.”
“In poor environment, I find great inspiration. Many of the men and women whom I admire as artists, the things they write, the songs they sing, the admission is filled with inspired moments to overcome oppression.”
“When I was born, I was colored. I soon became a Negro. Not long after that I was black. Most recently I was African-American. It seems we’re on a roll here. But I am still first and foremost in search of freedom.”
“These children and their parents know that getting an education is not only their right, but a passport to a better future…for the children and for the country.”
“I am who I am despite what America has put before me. I am who I am despite the obstacles that we have all faced based upon race and based upon social and spiritual humiliation.”
“If I’ve impacted on one heart, one mind, one soul, and brought to that individual a greater truth than that individual came into a relationship with me having, then I would say that I have been successful.”
“Each and every one of you in this room, with your gifts and your power and your skills, could perhaps change the way in which our global humanity mistrusts itself.”
SOURCES:
https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/harry-belafonte-quotes
9 Harry Belafonte Quotes To Celebrate His 90th Birthday
https://www.biography.com/musicians/harry-belafonte
https://www.unicef.org/goodwill-ambassadors/harry-belafonte
https://www.kennedy-center.org/artists/b/ba-bn/harry-belafonte/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Belafonte
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/harry-belafonte-dead-singer-actor-1235401538/
https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/harry-belafonte-actor-and-activist
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