The Black neighborhood and world at massive has rallied in remembrance of the late nice Harry Belafonte. Their reflections have spoken to how he was a person of nice integrity and welcoming to all these he got here into contact with.
Beneath are a number of reflections from celebrities and notable figures who shared their condolences and reminiscences of “Mr. B.” on social media.
Kerry Washington
“So many people owe a debt of deep gratitude and inspiration to Harry Belafonte. As an artist and as an activist, he paved the way in which! With fearlessness and heat and charm. This second backstage at #AmericanSon was the final time I noticed him. The satisfaction he expressed and assist he confirmed for my work on and off the stage will without end stay in my coronary heart. The world misplaced a brilliant gentle this morning. However we’ll shine on and proceed the combat for liberation in his honor! Relaxation in peace king.”
So many people owe a debt of deep gratitude and inspiration to Harry Belafonte. As an artist and as an activist, he paved the way in which! With fearlessness and heat and charm. This second backstage at #AmericanSon was the final time I noticed him. The satisfaction he expressed and assist he… pic.twitter.com/j1QUWqfhTy
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) April 25, 2023
Barack Obama
“Harry Belafonte was a barrier-breaking legend who used his platform to elevate others up. He lived a great life – remodeling the humanities whereas additionally standing up for civil rights. And he did all of it along with his signature smile and elegance. Michelle and I ship our like to his spouse, youngsters, and followers.”
Harry Belafonte was a barrier-breaking legend who used his platform to elevate others up. He lived a great life – remodeling the humanities whereas additionally standing up for civil rights. And he did all of it along with his signature smile and elegance. Michelle and I ship our like to his spouse, youngsters, and… pic.twitter.com/g77XCr9U5b
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 25, 2023
Marc Lamont Hill
“’Marc. It’s good to see you once more. Besides final time, you had been youthful and extra good-looking!’ That is what Mr. B. stated to me proper earlier than we took this pic. We laughed and hugged after which proceeded to have an exquisite private and non-private dialog, each of which stick with me to this present day.
Each time Harry Belafonte spoke, I discovered one thing new. I found one other superb reality about his storied profession. I came upon about one other important second in historical past that he helped form. I acquired one other pearl of knowledge from one of many biggest freedom fighters this nation had ever produced. Being in his presence at all times felt like a blessing. Nevertheless it wasn’t simply his phrases.
Harry Belafonte lived a lifetime of radical braveness, sacrifice, honesty, and freedom combating. He merely didn’t know the best way to be something or anybody else. As the most well-liked artist on this planet at one time, Harry Belafonte might have ignored the battle. As an alternative, he dedicated to Black freedom. Slightly than promoting out to the mainstream, he made the unpopular selection of standing on the aspect of justice. Whether or not in public or non-public, Mr. B. was at all times constant, principled, trustworthy, and beneficiant. His humility wasn’t a efficiency. It’s who he was.
I’ll have extra phrases later. However for now, I need to ship like to the beloved Belafonte household. And I need to give thanks that we had been blessed with 96 years with this large. Thanks for loving us, Mr. B. Relaxation effectively.”
Bernice King
“Once I was a toddler, #HarryBelafonte confirmed up for my household in very compassionate methods. Actually, he paid for the babysitter for me and my siblings. Right here he’s mourning with my mom on the funeral service for my father at Morehouse Faculty. I received’t neglect…Relaxation effectively, sir.”
Once I was a toddler, #HarryBelafonte confirmed up for my household in very compassionate methods.
Actually, he paid for the babysitter for me and my siblings.
Right here he’s mourning with my mom on the funeral service for my father at Morehouse Faculty.
I received’t neglect…Relaxation effectively, sir. pic.twitter.com/31OC1Ajc0V
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) April 25, 2023
Kierna Mayo
“Thought possibly he’d stay without end. I sat at Mr. Bs literal ft as soon as for the duvet of EBONY Journal. In that raspy fantastic voice, he stated to me one thing I’ll without end take as strict mandate and an everlasting reality: “Artwork is a blessing…Perceive that a very powerful factor you are able to do as an artist is to inform the historical past of your individuals. Inform the historical past of your time. Inform the reality of your future.” Could the beloved ancestors obtain him with Jamaica Farewell blaring!”
Jeffrey Wright
“Harry Belafonte was a typical bearer, within the custom of Robeson, for generational artistry and deeply knowledgeable & dedicated social & political engagement. Possibly the final of a fantastic tribe. As good as he was knockdown good-looking. He met the second thruout his life. What a person. RIP”
Harry Belafonte was a typical bearer, within the custom of Robeson, for generational artistry and deeply knowledgeable & dedicated social & political engagement. Possibly the final of a fantastic tribe. As good as he was knockdown good-looking. He met the second thruout his life. What a person. RIP pic.twitter.com/uk5y1DjA1p
— Jeffrey Wright 🥜 (@jfreewright) April 25, 2023
Kendrick Sampson
“I met the legendary icon, Harry Belafonte, April 9, 2016 backstage on the iconic Apollo theatre. He was about to go on stage and have a dialog with somebody near my coronary heart, Erica Garner, daughter of Eric Garner (say their names 💔) and Nina Turner. I obtained all sweaty and nervous assembly this GIANT of an icon that Ive completed my damnedest to emulate and honor PLUS the heaviness of the time (2016 👀) and he leaned over proper earlier than they snapped the image and stated “I do know I make you look good, don’t I!” 😂 We each began laughing and my nervousness disappeared.
Toni Cade Bambara stated “the function of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible” and I feel he did simply that. He used each instrument he had – his appears, his expertise, his relationships, his assets, cash, his platform and many others – to elevate up a very powerful work of liberation and solidarity and present how it may be woven into the material of our lives. Plus we was smooooth whereas doin it 😎
Harry Belafonte was a magnetic freedom fighter and worldwide famous person who took radical stances, particularly for somebody in his place. I can’t even start to totally specific his impression over DECADES. He fought to provide movies outdoors of Hollywood for Black individuals. He marched, challenged, fundraised and fought for civil rights and liberation and most significantly: he lived a protracted life with individuals who love, shield and cherish him. From everybody I do know that is aware of him, he handled individuals good and stood agency in his values. Too typically we’re proven examples of assassination and tragedy when individuals boldly assist actions and arise in opposition to oppressors. He’s in step with those that lived lengthy and prospered whereas combating for others to have the assets to do the identical. Don’t get me fallacious, He confronted immense obstacles and trauma, however he lived and transitioned after a protracted life with family members. We want extra of these examples.
He’s an instance of what we should always all try for – to do every thing we are able to to go away this world higher than we discovered it.
Sending love, therapeutic and luxury – particularly to all of his family members. Relaxation in Energy, Harry Belafonte ✊🏽💔🖤”
Colin Kaepernick
“Thanks, Mr. B, for your entire years of mentorship, steering, & lifetime of activism combating for a greater future for all of us. You’ll be missed by many, however your reminiscence & impression stay on. Relaxation in Energy. “Actions do not die, as a result of battle does not die.” -Harry Belafonte”
Thanks, Mr. B, for your entire years of mentorship, steering, & lifetime of activism combating for a greater future for all of us. You’ll be missed by many, however your reminiscence & impression stay on. Relaxation in Energy.
“Actions do not die, as a result of battle does not die.”-Harry Belafonte pic.twitter.com/bCArTOtCC2
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) April 25, 2023
John Legend
“I liked Mr Belafonte and I’m so grateful for his revolutionary work and his huge affect on our nation and the world. I came upon that he handed simply earlier than this interview. He labored so exhausting and did a lot. Could he get his well-deserved relaxation.”
I liked Mr Belafonte and I’m so grateful for his revolutionary work and his huge affect on our nation and the world. I came upon that he handed simply earlier than this interview. He labored so exhausting and did a lot. Could he get his well-deserved relaxation. https://t.co/8NJqNaHGBS
— John Legend (@johnlegend) April 25, 2023
Dr. Cornel West
“I’m deeply unhappy on the lack of my very pricey brother – the good Harry Belafonte! His creative genius, ethical braveness & loving soul shall stay without end! God bless his valuable household!”
I’m deeply unhappy on the lack of my very pricey brother – the good Harry Belafonte! His creative genius, ethical braveness & loving soul shall stay without end! God bless his valuable household! pic.twitter.com/Tao5h6FMLh
— Cornel West (@CornelWest) April 25, 2023
Sherrilyn Ifill
“The wonder. The integrity. The “shining Black manhood.” We’re so blessed to have seen the expertise and management of #SidneyPoitier and #HarryBelafonte.”
The wonder. The integrity. The “shining Black manhood.” We’re so blessed to have seen the expertise and management of #SidneyPoitier and #HarryBelafonte. https://t.co/rh2GW3OQHQ
— Sherrilyn Ifill (@SIfill_) April 25, 2023
