Harry Belafonte mourned by leisure world, Biden, Obama

NEW YORK — Response poured in Tuesday from heads of state, civil-rights leaders and the leisure world following the dying of Harry Belafonte at age 96. As a distinguished activist, charismatic singer, Hollywood main man, Broadway star and trailblazing Black entertainer, Belafonte’s loss was felt throughout a large swath of American life.

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“Jill and I are saddened by the passing of a groundbreaking American who used his expertise, his fame, and his voice to assist redeem the soul of our Nation. Harry Belafonte was born to Caribbean dad and mom in Harlem, New York on March 1, 1927, when segregation was the order of American society. To our Nation’s profit, Harry by no means accepted these false narratives and unjust boundaries. He devoted his whole life to breaking obstacles and bridging divides. … Harry Belafonte’s accomplishments are legendary and his legacy of outspoken advocacy, compassion, and respect for human dignity will endure. He shall be remembered as an awesome American.” — President Joe Biden.

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“Harry Belafonte was a barrier-breaking legend who used his platform to carry others up. He lived life – remodeling the humanities whereas additionally standing up for civil rights. And he did all of it along with his signature smile and magnificence. Michelle and I ship our like to his spouse, children and followers.” — Former President Barack Obama.

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“You have been a sophisticated father who lived one of many fullest lives in human historical past. I’m so grateful and fortunate to have been and be so near you. To know the way a lot you really liked me and have been happy with my path. You at all times instructed me to always remember how a lot you like me and i’m grateful you knew how a lot I cherished listening to it. You might be harsh and terrifying, you can be sturdy and strategic. However if you pulled me in, near your coronary heart the embrace was ever lasting. You lived with goal and we’re all higher in your contributions.” — Gina Belafonte, daughter of Belafonte.

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“Could God Have My Pricey Good friend Harry Belafonte At A Peaceable Relaxation. We Are Dropping Our Giants Left And Proper. We Have To Have a good time Our Elders Whereas They Are With Us.” — Spike Lee, who directed Belafonte’s last movie, 2018’s BlacKkKlansman.”

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“One other ‘GREAT TREE’ has fallen: Harry Belafonte, a Trailblazer and Hero to us all. Thanks in your music, your artistry, your activism, your struggle for civil rights and justice — particularly risking your life again within the day to get cash to the motion. Your being right here on Earth has Blessed us all.” — Oprah Winfrey.

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“Harry Belafonte was a real mentor and buddy. I’m heartbroken to listen to of his dying however impressed by the lengthy, fruitful life he led. He realized his platform gave him the flexibility to have an effect on change. He used it to advance the civil rights motion and get others in his place off the sidelines. I cherished the time he would give me and others to each information and proper us. He was a culture-changing entertainer, a history-changing activist and an unmatchable mental. Relaxation in peace and energy, Mr. B.” — The Rev. Al Sharpton.

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“After I was a baby, Harry Belafonte confirmed up for my household in very compassionate methods. In truth, he paid for the babysitter for me and my siblings. … I will not neglect. Relaxation nicely, sir.” — Bernice King, daughter of The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

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“You used your profile and items to go away a legacy of activism, of hope, dignity … excellence. Thanks in your imaginative and prescient and expertise. Thanks for being a beacon. You at the moment are amongst our stunning ancestors …. proceed to information us!” — Actor Viola Davis.

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“He represented many issues to us: enjoyable calypso music, iconic performing (I got here to know him as Geechie Dan within the iconic ‘Uptown Saturday Evening’ as a baby) — however most significantly he taught me to suppose when it comes to ‘WE’ not ‘I.’ That caught with me. If there may be one lesson we will study from him it’s ‘what can I do to assist mankind?’ Thank You Harry Belafonte!” — Musician and filmmaker Questlove.

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“My buddy, Harry Belafonte, was actually a person of trigger, conviction and precept. Moreover being an awesome entertainer, he was a significant political activist throughout the Civil Rights Motion. I nonetheless keep in mind the day in 1968 when Harry and I marched facet by facet on the Poor Folks’s March to Freedom. He shall be missed and my honest condolences exit to his household.” — Motown founder Berry Gordy.

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“The passing of civil rights icon Harry Belafonte leaves a devastating void within the racial justice neighborhood. Earlier than his rise, no entertainer had ever used the platform and sources his fame afforded him to perform a lot. His private and monetary help was essential to each main occasion of the Civil Rights Motion, from the Freedom Rides and the Birmingham Marketing campaign to the March on Washington and the Freedom Summer season of voter registration. Each American who works for racial justice takes inspiration from his unwavering dedication. — Marc H. Morial, president and chief govt of the Nationwide City League.

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“Harry Belafonte was an ordinary bearer, within the custom of (Paul) Robeson, for generational artistry and deeply knowledgeable & dedicated social & political engagement. Perhaps the final of an awesome tribe. As sensible as he was knockdown good-looking. He met the second all through his life. What a person.” — Actor Jeffrey Wright.

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“If you concentrate on what it means to be an artist and an activist, he was actually the epitome of what that was. I do not know individuals know the way a lot he did. So gifted as an artist, as a performer, however used his platform in nearly a subversive manner as a result of he would sneak messages in there — revolutionary messages — when individuals thought he was simply singing about good instances within the islands. He was at all times like infusing messages of protest and revolution in the whole lot he did, and never solely that, however he used his sources. He’s one of the crucial profitable artists of his time. He used these sources to fund the civil rights motion.” — Musician John Legend, talking on the Time100 summit.

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“He was greater than a singer, greater than an actor and greater than a person.” — Rapper and actor Ice Dice.

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“Harry Belafonte did not simply converse fact to energy, he shouted it, he sang it, he made individuals hearken to the reality. This nice son of Harlem leaves behind a legacy in arts and in civil rights that has modified the world for the higher.” — New York Mayor Eric Adams.

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“Harry Belafonte was a person of braveness who risked his life and treasure to struggle these prepared to homicide to disclaim Black individuals our freedom to exist.He gave voice to the unsung coronary heart songs that the frequent man feels however by no means utters.He gave voice to the unvoiced. He’s an ancestor now.” — Actor Wendell Pierce.

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“Thanks, Mr. B, for all your years of mentorship, steerage, and lifelong of activism preventing for a greater future for all of us.” — Former NFL star and activist Colin Kaepernick.

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“Artists uniting to make use of their artwork kind to make transformational change on the earth … is among the nice advantages to residing a public life. Harry Belafonte exemplified this and utilized each side of his immeasurable expertise, making use of it particularly to the plight of different human beings and their civil rights.” — Actor Jamie Lee Curtis, who posted a picture of a 1953 Ebony journal cowl that includes Belafonte and her dad and mom, actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh.

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“I’m deeply unhappy on the lack of my very pricey brother, the good Harry Belafonte. His creative genius, ethical braveness and loving soul shall reside perpetually.” — Civil rights activist and scholar Cornel West.