Dr. Boyce: Thank You Harry, Keep Telling It Like It Is
by Dr. Boyce Watkins
As I prepare to address students at Grambling University about the importance of giving back and having the courage to fight for social justice, my mind is drawn to the words of our predecessors who paved the way for all of us to have the freedoms that we enjoy to this day. At the top of the list is the legendary entertainer, Harry Belafonte.
This week, Belafonte laid down the gauntlet for black entertainers, some of whom have become ecstatic about selling their souls to the highest bidder (or the lowest common denominator). Belafonte, saying things that probably make half of the entertainment industry wish he’d been killed with Dr. King, stated that the indifference of celebrities to black suffering is “unconscionable.”
This is the second time that Harry has said something to undermine his love within the black entertainment establishment by actually asking entertainers to be accountable to something other than buying bottles at the club. Just a few weeks ago, Harry asked Beyonce and Jay-Z (aka the royal family) to do something for the black community that didn’t including blogging about Blue Ivy’s new line of baby sneakers or tweeting pictures of themselves on vacation. This is a tough task for people who’ve been led to believe that the world is their oyster, and that poor black people simply don’t exist.
Harry Belafonte is in an uphill battle, especially when it comes to the likes of Jay-Z and Beyonce, who’ve become the prototype of the new “Greed is Good” philosophy that has taken over black entertainment. Jay-Z, the man who attacked the Occupy Wall Street movement even as he tried to make money from it, was raised with the mindset of a hardened New York crack dealer who doesn’t seem to have learned the value of caring about anyone other than himself. Jay-Z still sees himself as a product of his environment, rather than a man who can control his environment, like a 7-foot giant with the mind of a four year old victim of child abuse.
Beyonce, on the other hand, was raised in a suburban, affluent community in Texas, where poor people are simply the ones that you manipulate for your own economic gain, not those for whom you make significant sacrifices. The psychological slavery of some black folks in the deep south can be so frighteningly insidious that you want to send out emails announcing that slavery ended nearly 150 years ago. Rocking the boat is the last thing you’ll ever see out of many black Texans, especially those who’ve been accepted by white people.
But the fact is that, in spite of the resistance he is sure to receive, Harry Belafonte is nothing less than entirely heroic for doing what he is doing right now. As an 85-year old man, Harry shows more courage for the black community in one week than most celebrities show in an entire lifetime. Most members of the black entertainment industry just don’t get it, and the truth is that many of them never will. In their minds, making money makes you into a decent and relevant human-being, nothing else seems to matter beyond that.
When Harry says, “I need you to help alleviate black suffering,” he’s speaking about the trauma being experienced by millions of black youth due to urban violence, the prison industrial complex, black unemployment and unequal educational systems. But when he makes his critique, people from Beyonce’s camp might reply with, “But we DID help with Michelle Obama’s anti-obesity initiative and we also supported gay marriage, so take THAT!”
Celebrities don’t understand that cute, polite and uncontroversial forms of activism, like anti-obesity initiatives (you know, things that are designed to keep white people from getting upset with you), are not even in the same ballpark when it comes to the type of empowered activism being requested by men like Belafonte. That’s like someone saying, “Our nation needs a stronger military,” and another person replying with, “Well, we just bought 400 water balloons and a sling shot and we’re training all of our soldiers to prepare for massive pillow fights.”
Harry is talking about saving that illiterate teenager in South Central Los Angeles who is worried about being shot on the way to school, who comes home to an empty refrigerator after seeing her father sent to prison for 150 years for drug distribution. The last thing this kid needs is to have Beyonce and Michelle Obama show up to tell her to eat her vegetables. This reminds me of missionaries that go to starving villages in Africa with a stack of bibles and no food or medicine. Perhaps the next time Beyonce rubs elbows with the Obamas, she can ask them to use the power of the presidential pardon to send that little girl’s daddy back home so she can have her father in her life again, or to change the gun laws so that teenagers can’t buy AK-47s and blow each other’s heads off before their 16th birthday.
Topics like anti-obesity and gay marriage are perfect reflections of the Beyonce-Jay Z activism that has long been adopted by members of the entertainment industry. The goal is to be seen with the black elite and other members of the political aristocracy who gladly elevate themselves above the masses. The Carters love taking pictures with the Obamas and appearing at joint events with them, as the rest of us sit back and marvel, fantasizing about enjoying just a piece of the empty, materialistic life that most of us will never have. All the while, the willingness to engage in truly impactful sacrifices to slow the suffering of black people is virtually non-existent, for members of the black elite feel obligated to sacrifice for nothing other than the size of their bank accounts.
If scientists could invent a fountain of youth, they should give it to Harry Belafonte. He’s simply in a class by himself, and represents something that almost no entertainer could ever be. Harry’s mind is operating at the doctoral level, while many black celebrity brains refuse to leave the third grade. Harry is saying to all of us that many of those we profess to care about are struggling in ways that we simply can’t imagine, and that it is up to us to use our platforms to truly liberate the entire black community and not just rap about being a “n****r in Paris.”
Maybe one day entertainers will get it. But even if they don’t, the rest of us should. Harry Belafonte is nothing short of extraordinary, and he won’t live forever. It’s up to those of us who respect him to relight and carry this torch forever.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Professor at Syracuse University and founder of the Your Black World Coalition. He also appears in the Janks Morton film “Hoodwinked.” To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.
Dr. Boyce Watkins
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THANK U DR. WATKINS !!
God Bless u for posting this.
May God continue blessing u and Harry Belefonte !!
WE need another Dr. Martin Luther King and Mr. Belefonte was
right there through it all.
Without a leader the people will perish. I look to u Dr. Watkins
leave the people.You will be an asset along with Mr. Belefonte
Black People,
Obama has failed us. More Importantly, we have failed ourselves by idolizing this man and not holding him accountable to the oath of office that he took.
By not demanding to be treated as his most valuable constituency instead of a liability.
His has to be held responsible for us being divided, misinformed and mis-educated.
Obama should have as he promised. From the presidential podium brought light to the truth that blacks are in our current collective state as the direct result of government policy directives formally overt but now covert with the dirty work now coming from the pulpit, the TV and a hungry n***a with a gun or bag of dope and a gun. He should have declared the state of black america a matter of national security based on inner-city violence ALONE. He should have already said black americans are “Too Big To Fail” A public congressional hearing, led by the president and floor time for people like Boyce and ‘dem should have ALREADY been held to argue and find answers to our near-terminal state. We have let the best chance of a collective come-up pass us by over the last 4 years. Lets do some collective critical thinking on the “personal responsibly” is the cause of black malaise declaration by democrats and republicans alike with the objective to determine if “personal responsibility” is a cross that only blacks have to bear. Or does it apply to the government as well. I argue that a love based approach, (and we deserve it) based on our invaluable servitude, blood and service to this nation has to be demanded now. Its time to cash our check to paraphrase what the great MLK said. Insufficient Funds or “He is not the president of black america” or” Bush did”.. “or he wouldn’t get reelected”, “Romney would be worse” cannot be accepted by any black person that;
1. Knows better( Dr Dyson, Rev Al, others)
2. “Has a deep love for black people”- Obama through Val Jarrett
Correction lead the people . Dr. Watkins
In my opinion, this is one of the best articles that you have written for Your Black World. Mr. Belefonte has always appeared to me to be a man of principle rather than an explioter of other people’s misery. He is one of the old heads who became involved with the Civil Rights’ movement from the very beginning and we can see from those actions that he cares deeply about the Black community. Our sad misfortune is that we need so many more Harry Belefontes!
Thank you Mr. Belafonte and Dr. Boyce.
Thank you Mr. Belafonte and Dr. Boyce.
Excellent Commentary! Today we are dealing with sc(RAPPERS) and hip/slop [hop] artist, who are not conscious!!!
They live for today and HOPE to see tomorrow. There’s nothing like being ‘OLD SKOOL’ !!!
Much Respect to Brother Belefonte and to Dr. Watkins
Some people will never OVERstand the Truth!
=================================
WISDOM
“The longest and oldest history of any people on this Earth is Afrikan people. Therefore the oldest history of family, fatherhood, motherhood or any other kind of hood is that of Afrikan people.
That is a historical reality that cannot be denied by anybody that is intelligent. Afrikan history is the longest and it goes back millions of years. It cannot be denied.
We have a wisdom that is millions of years old, because you don’t live on a planet for millions of years and not gain wisdom or you don’t survive.” -Rev. Dr. Ishakamusa Barashango
Elijah, you are so right. We do need many more like him. We have too many haters trying to out hate the white man. Too many narrow minded blacks criticizing an interracial marriage that has stood the test of time.
Bravo, enough said. Thank You, Dr. Watkins
I agree with both men whole heartdently.
I think that a lot of black activism and black pride got lost with the (so called) integration, along with drugs being bought into our communities during the fifties and sixties, litterely dulled most of our minds as to who we are and what we ought to be about.
Maybe these celebrities and so-called leaders of ours should read Luke 16, about the rich man and Lazarus. UHMMM. Interesting.
Harry is one of the greatest leaders in this nation.
HA!! As if that would mean anything to them. Chances are they’re ignoring the rest of the Bible, why would they pay attention to that part?
Excellent article, although I take exception to the snipe at Mrs. Obama’s get fit campaign. I’m sorry, but targeting our children’s health through fitness is about as important as anything else we do for our children. Mentioning it along with everything else stated seems to be inappropriate to me.
That aside, Mr. Belafonte is in a dying class of Black entertainers. His generation understood why they were more than entertainers. They were ambassadors for us all, often circumventing the depictions of who white people thought we were by presenting just the opposite as they lived their lives in the public eye. Today’s entertainer is consciously and subconsciously doing the exact opposite, displaying negative stereotypes about who we are for the whole world to see, all in the name of making a buck and adding to the destuction of our communities and the minds of our children. Debonair, suave, graceful, classy, sophisticated, regal…all words that are often used to describe our greats of the past. 40 years from now what words will be used to describe the celebrities of today???
It the whole black community from. The rich to the poor the rich suppose to take care of the poor and the poor should. Know who helping to take care of them….a. make sure they support them. So the money can continue to. Create. Jobs for them…but not Mr black man. And. Miss. Black. .woman they. Give their money to anybody….and. this. What you. Get……its. all of blacks in America rich and poor and every thing inbewteen
this is great, Our Elder Brother, Harry Belafonte is on the case, Also mind you he is not attacking Hip-Hop, he is talking about “ALL” Black entertainers who have no love for the struggle of OUR People. They sold their Souls. They depend on the ‘Police State for protection and the Blessings of the Fascist, to exploit the public for greed and social status (class status) approval. Thanks Brother Harry Belafonte for being you. And thank you Dr. Boyce for this story. Need more like this one. Stay Up!
Dr. Watkins, I love ya. And words can’t depict how much I love Mr. Belafonte!! Keep calling out certain celebs(primarily “our” own) like you do, you two. They need to wake up and be reminded from whence they came from and be reminded of whom were the ones that got them to their “celeb status” today prior to being just an “ordinary person.” Because it’s like I have stated previously in one of your articles, I bet you can’t get not one single black entertainer, mainly these rappers, singers, to come to just a random ordinary black neighborhood, it doesn’t have to be just a poverty-strickened neighborhood, it could be a regular mid-class one, knock on a random door and ask a member of the family how can they change their life for the better by offering come comfort to them financially, because basically, money is so scarce with the majority of us, and who can’t use some additional cash in today’s economy? And I do mean offer; not no nickle and dime offering like a measly 1000 dollars or a few 10-thousand. And once again, before any of you groupies begin defending your fellow rapper or singer, be advised that if it wasn’t for persons like myself and you, with little to no money, that buys their sh*t, they wouldn’t be at the “top” and at that “celeb status.” The same theory goes for these athletes; the NBA, MLB and the NFL. You couldn’t get these fools with all of their millions to perform a random act of good deed like I just stated, like seriously. Also, like I had stated in a previous article written by Dr. Boyce, they’re only willing to help a specific group of folks in their chosen circle, mainly those athletes, and speaking of them, I’ve seen random twitter photos of them on twitter at one another’s condos, house, etc with their opposing fellow mates playing xbox, playstations, posing with champagne bottles in hand and whatnot. Being that as it may, I am just thrilled and highly elated by the fact that Mr. Belafonte and Dr. Boyce calling are ‘em out. Now, there is one step further that needs to be done…and that’s exposing them even more in-depth by revealing names in particularly.
Well, Dr Watkins, I have restored faith in your opinions- even if you do insist on criticising Obama fopr neglecting African Americans. You are absolutely right here, and so is Belafonte.
I wish you would STOP stereotyping Southern African Americans…gee whiz!
Thank you, Dr. Watkins. The work you do is necessary. First let me say… I understand (as anyone knowing our history) that Pres.Obama cannot come out in force for the African American community. He would strike fear in the white community and be labeled racist. With that said, Belafonte has a firm grasp on the plague of greedy and elementary black celebs. This is not limited to celebs but is exampled in local community leaders across the country. For every 1 true concerned African American we have 5 parasites feeding on the desperately poor. How this is remedied, is to be determined by greater minds than mine. Belafonte MUST not be left screaming on his own. We need coalitions stronger than we have now to propel this lonewolf’s statements throughout our communities. Yes, they will have to battle ill-gotten powers of our some present community leaders but this is an internal conversation necessary, without fear of white implications or opportunity to divide our people. When we stop worrying about what whites think, fear, assume, and appreciate; then we can heal the African American COMMUNITY. And for the South African … Don’t argue over what is said… Fix what needs to be taken care of and your press will be glorious. We proudly lift up the African motherland regardless if the people consider us the bastardized children of folly.
While I applaud the efforts and sacrifices the Mr. Belafonte has given to the Black community, I wish he would do a little research before he picks which celebrities to target. I feel he misspoke on a few things. The Carters (JayZ and his wife) DO NOT blog pictures of their vacations, the paparazzi handles that quite well with these super lens cameras. They have never blogged about their child’s shoes either. In fact they keep their person life more personal than any other celeb out there. But what they do is give back. Just because they do not brag about it, does not mean it is not happening. These are not the things that the media is going to focus on.
And since when do Southern people deserve this comment:
“suburban, affluent community in Texas, where poor people are simply the ones that you manipulate for your own economic gain, not those for whom you make significant sacrifices. The psychological slavery of some black folks in the deep south can be so frighteningly insidious that you want to send out emails announcing that slavery ended nearly 150 years ago. Rocking the boat is the last thing you’ll ever see out of many black Texans, especially those who’ve been accepted by white people.”
Talk about discrimination! How dare you say that this is the mind set of Suburban Texans? And what makes affluent Northerners so much better!
You never hear about Beyonce being disrespectful, drunk and disorderly, sunbathing for camera’s to see, getting out of her car with no panties, several marriages, having children out of wed lock, and none of the things that young Hollywood falls prey to. Instead of calling them out like that why could he just reach out to them to join him in a worthy cause? He is the elder…TEACH! Putting each other down will get us NO WHERE!
You need to check your facts on the contributions they both have made from opening schools to JayZ’s Water for Life. But of course the media wants you just to hear about the baby and their vacations. Don’t you know how they play that game? Also, How is Mrs. Obama cause considered “Cute and polite” when more than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7%) are obese!! And African American women were 70% more likely to be obese than Non-Hispanic White women.
Disappointed in Boyce and Belafonte.
Thanks Dr. Boyce and Mr. Belfonte He is an icon before hip hop rap or any other genre. He marched with King has history with the Kennedys’ and other famous peope and activisits. Those who are fortunate should give back to the communities their charities and other areas. Yes, some are doing very well with mentoring boys and girls, involved with other programs. But glitz and glamour should not be flaunted like you do not care about other people. Look outside of the box you make the designers rich focus on enriching the community.
Katt
When I first came to California I was in the Navy in Long Beach in the early 70s, people of color were being placed in service positions, servicers to the officers quarters, boatsmates, mechanics. I was in personnel, I gathered information to take to another person in the ship yards of where they placed minorities, as minorities checked in I compiled information and it was taken off base for information reasons. I then went to the NAACP in Los Angeles and reported to them the s****l racism being directed by the Navy official. I was told, first asked where was I from the “South”, I said no Kansas, I was then told that they did not do that kind of activity at the Los Angeles branch they were more social, fund raising, etc. I was very confused at 22 years old – I was part of Brown vs. Board of Education in Kansas I had never been told that the NAACP was a sociial organization. I then wrote Washington D.C. Naval office, a Rear Admiral was sent to investigage. I was sent off base for 30 days on Leave, I was returned and was given 3 choices to relocated Capetown South Africa, Porta Rico, which required I re-enlist for 2 years, or Guatamo Bay Cuba for the remainder of my tour 6 months, I went to Gatmo, it was disgusting but I came out a 4.0, I had no infractions on my record other than I tried to stop discrimination, separation, unequal treatment ALONE. No one but a few civilians stood by me.
Black people in America think they have made it, they have not, they think that because they have a couple of dollars they are equal, they are not according to white america. Even Obama says nothing or little about the black plight in America, he is busy okaying gay marriage, mexican rights, I love my president, but even he cannot speak out, even he cannot say what really is on his mind, for he is the keeper of the “White” house and the White man’s business, not black people’s business. A black man is the first not to honor is own, a black woman is to busy kicking the black man in the a*s because he can’t be more like a white man. Entertainers sicken me, black politicians overall sicken me. They plight is not for the black or minority people it is for their own selfish gain, it is a one, me, world. Young black entertainers don’t know how to be black, if the clock was turned they would all commit sucide. The only reason a black person should look down on another black is to pull them up off their butts, “that is if you know that person just needs a hand for a while” If they don’t want the help leave them where you find them. We must have discernment to know who the help and how to help them. If we have lived in this world over 30 years we know how to help. Very few black entertainers discuss the plight of their brothers and sisters, they may not get the contract, they are considered militant, have not left the 60s. Well let me tell you reader, Harry is right 100%. Give what you don’t need, feed and clothe those who need it. clean out your closets annually and pick families to help. Take time out of your lives and live in Martin Luther’s shoes for a month. Selfishness is a disease. Give daily, love your brothers even though they are in jail, even though they are drug dealers, talk to them, show them a differ way. be more God like.
LaVerne
I wrote a response about Terrance Williams.Mr. Belafonte,has certainly sumed up my thoughts.
Yes, there are those who struggled,long before I and others were born.
Yes, there are many of us, who can relate to Middle class America.
Yes, there are many of us, who have had the priviledge of meeting some of the forerunners for justice.
Some one said. History repeats itself. Well history in America is repeating itself,not with so much racism,but with violence and abuse against young people.Racism, certainly plays it part
We often speak of the young men in prison or have lost their way;but there are many young women who have and are experiencing some of the same social ills, from past generations.
I thank You Mr. Belofonte for your encouraging,but truthful words.
Lest we forget our history. We as a people may have come a long way;but we still have far to go.
My comments,although directed from Dr. Watkins and other Black Voices, do not eliminate that we are a country of many ethnic groups.
When we study History for History, these are not new issues,but issues that have become more intense, since we have an AA president.
Our president, is not GOD and He is the President ofThe United States of America.
Some want to complain that He has not done enough for AA,but any president, who is worth any salt, has to address the entire
country as well as foreign affairs.
We have the power in the vote and yes , we can do our part to help with the situation facing AA.
Remember, it is not only AA who lost jobs, who are in prison and who are vitims of abuse or violence or poverty.
We are still a great nation and we each can make a difference.
Those , who have come before us and even those of us, who have fought through civil rights, are still aware of the social needs in this country.
Please do not attack Mrs. Obama.
She has and is doing a lot more than other first ladies, for the youth of this country.
The issue is our young people, who are grwoing up thinking that money and fame are the criteria for being humane.
We must not forget the stuggles of so many, who made it possible for all the new entertainers to be where they are.
It is so sad, that those who have the opportunties to make a difference are also being drawn into that Glitter and Glam world,not realizing that they have been given the opportunity to give back.
This does not apply to every one,but for the ones mentioned.
If more, would speak to the younger generations with TRUTH, maybe we can make a difference.
Who will carry the torch, when all of us older people are gone.
Mr. Belafonte, should tell the black community to direct all black churches, to take the little money that is given pool their resources and make big money out of it, open up manfacturing plants and other business, circulate that black dollar within. When celebs with big money see this, they won’t feel they are just throwing their money away to some loud mouth blacks sitting around the barber shop, signifying about nothing. We must prove ourselves worthy first by what we do with the millions of dollars blacks spend as consumers for other races benefit, that sell our products and food to us, but you can’t set up shop in their community and be successful, BECAUSE THEY KNOW DO FOR SELF FIRST! blacks thinks they will gain acceptance by spending their money outside of their community, instead with themselves. “the other mans ice is not always colder”.