HARRY BELAFONTE Ted Talk: Race, Arts, and America at Walter Reade

Mr. Harry Belafonte is well-known & admired for both his career in entertainment and his humanitarism.  It was a privilege to be among the packed Walter Reade Theater to hear Mr. Belafonte in dialogue with Damian Woetzel, Dir. of the Aspen Instit. of Arts.  The timing of this talk aligns with the 50th Annv. of the March on Selma to acquire legalized voting rights & advance the civil rights movement.  Mr. Belafonte & Congressman John Lewis are the only 2 people alive today that stood alongside Dr. Martin Luther King in peaceful protests for civil rights.  Cong. Lewis was only 18 when they first met.  Mr. Belafonte mentioned he is approaching 90.  He walked carefully on stage with the use of a cane but his rich voice reverberated clearly.  This TED TALK will be available on the internet.  The comments that resonated with me were Mr. Belafonte's lifelong commitment to justice throughout the world.  Mr. Belafonte's mother told him as a boy of 7 "Never go to bed knowing you could have done something to fight injustice."  Mr Belafonte talked of having served in the military in WWII fighting facsim to come home to a nation that was segregated & oppressive to Blacks.  This did not sit well with him.  He did not take a passive stance.  He become active with Dr. King to bring about equality.  Other people he mentioned whom he considered "miracles" in his life were:  Eleanore Roosevelt, Paul Robeson& Nelson Mandela to name a few.  The causes Mr. Belafonte has fought for & continues to support are numerous & international.  He spoke of getting to know a culture from within to best communicate.  And, art, free choice & integrity are of the utmost importance in life.  A  disturbing note:  the large turnout of young people never tuned into anything but their phones.  When the discussion was opened to 3 questions from the audience, a woman dressed in fur, chose to speak of her accomplishments - what a self-indulgent waste.  An interesting question to ask Mr. Belafonte-why he was not present with Pres. Obama & Cong. Lewis @ the 50th Annv. of the March in Selma. Perhaps because former Pres. Bush was present.  He did say Pres. Bush "was his arch enemy" for getting us involved in Iraq. Still, it was an honor to be able to hear Mr. Belafonte, Grammy winner & inspiring humanitarian in person.