Happy Friday! Again, thank you for reading my posts and for all of your comments. Please feel free to share the issues you care most about. I am learning the value of social media and enjoy hearing from you. Like me on Facebook. Be my friend. Follow me on Twitter @RevJJackson. How am I doing? Today we feature a true legend and friend Mr. Harry Belafonte. He has been an integral part of the struggle for a very long and continues to be a freedom fighter for justice. He effortlessly uses his gifts as an artist, singer, songwriter and producer to give voice to the voiceless. This King of Calypso once said regarding art, Theres nothing more powerful in the universe than it, because it is the recorder of the truth. This is why we must fight to keep art, music and sports programs in schools. He became a champion of social change because of his first hand knowledge of seeing his people oppressed in his native country of Jamaica. His mother once told him , Dont ever let injustice go by unchallenged, which was indelibly etched.. While acting he became fast friends with Marlon Brando , Walter Mathau, Rod Steiger, Lena Horne and Sidney Poitier. He was able to express himself through his art and activism. But note, Mr. Belafonte maintains that he was an activist well before he became an artist. Amen! He soon met Dr. King and became a trusted confidant and friend. He provided considerable financial backing to the civil rights causes and spoke and recruited for the many protest rallies. He once said You can cage the singer but not the song. When asked about Dr. King he told the Grio, Dr. King helped me grow as a person. He recently told the Grio that Dr. King opened up my soul , he opened up my mind.And I found in a him a place that I could honorably serve. Mr. Belafonte is responsible for introducing America to Miriam Makeba and Nana Mouskoui and helped organize the anthem We are the world. I love to hear his voice. In fact, if you agree with me, we will have another opportunity and honor to hear him tonight in Chicago at 7:30 pm at St. Sabina Church 1210 West 78th Place. He will headline Fridays opening of the Annual African American speaker series at St. Sabina Church. I also love and respect Father Michael Pfleger for his courage. Join us in welcoming to Chicago tonight a national treasure, Mr. Harry Belafonte. He was influenced by W.E.B. Dubois , Paul Robeson and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and is no stranger to controversy. Tell me how many times you watched Carmen Jones or Buck and the Preacher, Island in the Sun or Uptown Saturday Night? Did you know he was a jazz singer backed by Miles Davis and Charlie Parker? Did you know Monte Kay saw his talent early? How about Bobby, Kansas City or White Mans Burden?. Do you know Theres a whole in my bucket or Jump in line? He was invited to speak at the Mayor DeBlasios inaugural activities in New York and was not shy. Did you hear his remarks? I just saw him in Moms Mabley: I Got Somethin to Tell You. If you are in Chicago tonight join us in welcoming him. Have a great Day-O! Watch this clip: bit.ly/1cb5xaB
Posted on: Fri, 07 Feb 2014 19:30:09 +0000
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