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Harry Belafonte Calls Out Jay-Z and Beyonce for Selfishness!
In case you missed this article it is worth taking the time to read Brother Belafonte’s words and ingest his food for our starving souls. Although only two are mentioned by name, this article pertains to many of the Blacks that we patronize in the entertainment, athletic, and all money making communities. The next time we idolize and run to give our money to these people let’s think about how they support us. Their “little” foundations may help them sleep at night, but are they really helping us sleep at night? They have the access and ability to create true Black Economic Empowerment that would sustain us all but yet look where Blacks are in 2013 still with our hands out. These people should be creating lasting Black enterprises that build up our communities, schools, youth and family organizations, and churches so we too are self sufficient. That is what those how came before them did FOR THEM! Instead they are buying little pieces of teams, making “car” music that we certainly cannot afford and other silly materialistic things “N” in Paris? Really? We should be investing into a sustainable future for the whole instead of the few. But without the community “sounding the alarm” they will continue to think their lifestyles are okay and we are in agreement. After all silence is complacence and we have been far too silent for too long. It is time we demand that our brothers and sisters who take so much from us give much more in these tough economic times. From whom much is given, much is required right?
Peace Family,
WW
Harry Belafonte Calls Out Jay-Z and Beyonce for Selfishness
Originally published in
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, KultureKritic.com
Harry Belafonte, who did a great deal of work for the black community during the Civil Rights Movement, is making no secret of the fact that he’s very disappointed in many young black celebrities when it comes to social activism. Speaking this week with the Hollywood Reporter, Belafonte pointed out Jay-Z and Beyonce as prime examples of what he’s talking about.
THR: Back to the occasion of the award for your acting career. Are you happy with the image of members of minorities in Hollywood today?
Belafonte: Not at all. They have not told the history of our people, nothing of who we are. We are still looking. We are not determined. We are not driven by some technology that says you can kill Afghanistans, the Iraquis or the Spanish. It is all – excuse my French – s**t. It is sad. And I think one of the great abuses of this modern time is that we should have had such high-profile artists, powerful celebrities. But they have turned their back on social responsibility. That goes for Jay-Z and Beyoncé, for example. Give me Bruce Springsteen, and now you’re talking. I really think he is black.
My friend Alexis Stodghill at TheGrio makes the point (in a news piece where she carefully cites both sides of the issue) that perhaps Belafonte is off-base with his critique. She notes that Beyonce has spoken up for her fellow recording artist Frank Ocean when he admitted that he was gay, and that Jay-Z has chumed it up with President Obama during his presidential campaign and supported him on the issue of gay marriage.
We must note that Beyonce and Jay-Z speaking up on gay marriage and homosexuality is little more than a political decision designed to remain in alignment with the Obama presidency. If Barack had said nothing on the issue, Jay-Z would have said nothing. So, we have to be sure not to mistake meaningful advocacy for elitist political shoulder-rubbing (wealthy famous people tend to take care of one another).
But when you look at the black aristocracy that is known as Jay-Z and Beyonce, one form of activism that is missing is anything that involves the words “poor black people.” Also, when it comes to issues that affect the least of us, including poverty, mass incarceration, urban violence, unequal educational systems and the like, it’s easy to say that Jay-Z and Beyonce have been effectively missing in action, unless it’s time to show up and utilize this audience to sell albums.
One exception noted by Kirsten West Savali at NewsOne.com is the Shawn Carter foundation, created by Jay-Z and the people who work for him. According to the foundation’s website, “Since the Foundation’s inception, over 750 students have received awards totaling over $1.3 million dollars.”
<insert WW-$1.3 mil but a lunch outing for them? Come on. Let’s be real she bought him a jet and he bought her an island. Surely they can buy poor blacks fine arts programs, quality education, and clothes, foods, etc…>
Jay-Z should certainly be commended for doing something he didn’t have to do, but let’s really think about this for a second, shall we? First, most corporations have some kind of foundation. Even Wal-Mart can claim to have sent thousands of kids to college, as they simultaneously strip workers of their rights around the world, drive small companies out of business and refuse to pay a living wage to their employees. Secondly, if you divide the $1.3 million given away by the foundation by 750 scholarship recipients, that’s about $1,733 per child. Please tell me what college in America has a tuition bill of $1,733? Of course Jay-Z gives away more than most of us can afford, but even the local drug dealer can also afford to use heroin money give away turkeys at Christmas. The point here is that if I pillage half a billion dollars from the black community over a 10-year period, it’s pretty easy for me to give back $1.3 million of it.
I noticed a line in Jay-Z’s song “n****z in Paris,” where he says, “Can you see the private jets flying over you?” This line is part of a consistent message of black elitism that has become all-too prevalent in the entertainment industry. It is a statement which says, “I’m better than you, and I am not one of you. Your job is to either worship me or hate on me, I don’t care which one.”
Beyond the “extensive” efforts of his foundation, Jay-Z is also the man who earned over $63 million dollars last year and only gave $6,000 to charity. Unfortunately, this has become par for the course in a world where poor black people are not nearly as fashionable of a cause as gay white kids from the suburbs. Poor black kids can’t buy your records, rendering them effectively useless.
So, while Beyonce and Jay-Z speaking up on marriage equality is a politely cute form of activism, you have to agree with Belafonte that today’s artists are taught not to care about anyone other than themselves. At best, we might get a photo op at a charity event, but the real pressure to sacrifice for those who are suffering is lost as millions of us forgive celebrities for being unwilling to use their power to make the world a better place. The rule is simple: If you’re rich, we love you. It doesn’t matter if you’re a former crack dealer (Jay-Z), brag about murdering women and children (Lil Wayne) or sleep with middle school kids on the weekends (R. Kelly). Money is used to wash away all sins, and people are quicker to disrespect an icon like Harry Belafonte than they are to challenge celebrities to do more than tweet pictures of their newborn baby.
By “social responsibility,” I don’t think that Belafonte is referring to charity concerts or speaking to Congress about saving dolphins. He’s talking about the kind of activism that requires b***s. He’s talking about the black men and women during the 1960s who used their voices loud and clear to state that things need to change in America soon, or else.
Those days are long gone. In the 1960s, oppression was much more rampant, so nearly every black person was banging on the door of equality. Today, those who’ve been allowed access to predominantly white institutions are asked to sign a “Good negro forever” card, and disavow any meaningful political stands that might get them into trouble with a corporate sponsor or record label. As a result, we have a group of celebrities who are very quick to build their brands off the “street cred” granted to them by impoverished African Americans, but don’t feel compelled to use those brands to become anything other than corporate-sponsored slumlords.
So, a “gangsta rapper” can speak all day about his time in prison, but he dare not say anything about the fact that the United States incarcerates more of its citizens than any country in the world, earning billions on the backs of black men and women, destroying millions of families in the process. He can rap all about “all his homies that done passed away,” but he’s better off staying away from a conversation about how gun violence is fueled by manufacturers who are happy to build profitable corporate tools to fund black male genocide.
It is the lack of acknowledgement of the deep and piercing artifacts of black oppression that bother Belafonte and others the most. It’s what bothers me too, for I’ve always been raised to believe that (to recite the words of Spiderman’s Uncle Ben) great power comes with great responsibility.
Perhaps when Jay-Z really understands what wealth is all about, he can take a note from Warren Buffett, Oprah and others, who’ve convinced several billionaires to give half of their wealth to charity when they die. A billion dollars is far more than enough for one family so why not use the rest of save 1,000 families? Is it nothing less than utterly shameful to have 10 houses, 15 cars, 200 expensive suits and several private planes? Maybe there is a point where such gluttony should not be celebrated by the rest of us, and instead be called out as pathetic in a world where millions of children are going to die this year from starvation.
Anyone who disagrees with me might want to consider the fact that there is nothing consistent with the teachings of Jesus about letting innocent people starve while you’re burning money in your basement. The principled stands by men like Muhammad Ali, who gave away nearly everything to stand up for his values, are virtually non-existence when our leading artists write songs about excessive materialism, getting high and drunk every day, killing other black men and unhealthy s****l promiscuity. Belafonte is right on point and we should look to our elders to remind us of what it means to live a purposeful and righteous life.
Harry Belafonte, by speaking up at the age of 85, is effectively asking that young people pick up the baton that he’s been running since Dr. King was a teenager. But instead of picking up the baton, we’ve thrown it at his feet and signed ourselves up for corporate slavery. I congratulate Harry for taking a stand on this important issue, and I am hopeful that his courage can spark the cultural revolution necessary to make our people stronger as a result.
Way to go Harry, I respect you.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a professor at Syracuse University and founder of the Your Black World Coalition.
Wonder Woman is a community activist and blogger.
She is a proud member of the JustUs League!
She has her own blog site at http://www/wonder2woman.blogspot.com
She also contributes to The Milwaukee Drum, the Black Convo Network, Insane Asylum Blog, and Black Bloggers Connect.
Contact info:
wonder2woman (Twitter)
411wonderwoman@gmail.com
Habari Gani Senator Grothman!
This letter is a formal request demanding an apology from Wisconsin State Senator Glenn Grothman for his recent remarks about Kwanzaa. Actions of a more serious nature are to follow but for now, until you return my call as your staff promises, this will be a start.
In speaking with his staff today he was said to have done “extensive” research regarding Kwanzaa’s background and its founder. His extensive research missed quite a bit of current research, critical research!! I figured as much.
When doing important research, one should include participation in said event. For the Senator any Kwanzaa holiday event in this decade or ever for that matter would have sufficed. Senator Grothman was inconclusive and lacking full knowledge of what Kwanzaa has metamorphosed into. He also has not sought counsel from anyone who has direct insight into Kwanzaa and how we use it to bring about change and celebrate our accomplishments in the Black community. For a year’s passing we fight on the battlefield to try and curb crime, battle senseless violence and many other social ills, most times by ourselves with little assistance. We celebrate triumphs of our community that go under reported in a world that thrives on seeing negative images of Black stereotypical imagery and ignorance every night. While many saw Sandy Hook memorialized, we live it daily. Guns and shootings are very much a part of our world 24/7 with no moments of silence, no presidential speeches, and little talk about gun control.
For a week, we take time off to come together in unity to share our experiences and memorialize, unify, and reorganize so we can move forward, together for another year and pick each other up to make it through to the next year. Can many other communities even fathom what it is like to live how we live with almost no support? This is a time we can stand together in unity and love, battle worn and prepare for another year of surviving as we do? This is our time to do that and so much more. We educate, we elevate, we support, we celebrate. Kwanzaa is a week’s worth of addressing many things good and bad in our community. It is a conference of sorts to help us help each other make things better. We recruit the young from the streets into “our gangs” and get them off the streets to let them know there is hope and love awaiting them.
Now last I checked that is what some outspoken white folks keep harping on that Blacks need to get it together and address “our issues”. Look what happens when we do? We get lynched for it!!! What is it you want Senator Grothman, a better Black community addressing our problems and issues or do you want us to ignore it all and keep shooting each other up, stay barefoot and pregnant? Pick which you prefer and get back to us!
Senator Grothman there is much more to Kwanzaa than you could ever know and if you got your head out of a book or away from uninformed people and met with real Blacks of differing varieties and did some real homework, you would see and meet people who would love to educate you to why this holiday is so desperately needed for our nation, not just for Blacks, and not just Wisconsin Blacks. There is much to Kwanzaa you missed and I feel so badly for you because you missed out on some great experiences to serve what purpose with your ill-advised statement. Sometimes when you don’t know something it is best to remain silent. Yes Kwanzaa is here to stay and it grows larger each year. No it is not a “white/hard-core left winger” holiday, we own this holiday (one thing no one can take from us) and we welcome people of every shade, color and creed each year. As I look around with so many people starving for “hope and change” (pun intended!) Kwanzaa will always be a welcome holiday with all its wonderful principles. As long as men fight and resources are limited, Kwanzaa will always be needed. As long as society argues and embraces hate, Kwanzaa will always be needed. Kwanzaa is a lovefest and it is too bad you missed your opportunity to unite with others and gather to just commune as one family because it seems like you needed it too! Maybe this is what you do not like about Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is out of your control and is no longer a Black celebration but it is becoming a truly multicultural event because many people see its value in their lives as well which is why it is spreading. Especially in Wisconsin where fighting has become the norm, Kwanzaa’s values and guiding principles are a treasure for all!
Regardless of who founded Kwanzaa and what questionable circumstances surrounded the initial event, Kwanzaa like many American holidays has outgrown its past and its founder. We could say this of all American holidays that were started by racists or bigots or even presidents who owned US! We still pay tribute to “great” presidents and leaders who were slave owners who took slaves as their mistresses and birthed bastard babies left to rot on plantations. I guess that is okay by you? I do not see you Senator spitting on their legacies or holidays. Your forked tongue is disgusting and sickening to me as a Black American, as a proud African Conservative American, as an American period. Your divisive statement, your lack of knowledge, your press release and why you chose to target Blacks especially after an election when we as Conservatives learned embarrassingly we need to build bridges with Blacks not burn them really makes me determined to get rid of mindsets like yours which cause our movement great angst! Your press release set us back about 50 years and for what reason? You needed attention? Someone Black cut you off that day? You miss Senator Lena Taylor? Well here she comes! It is people like you who we do not need in our movement and I do hope that you either learn real fast you need to apologize, and you make a big donation to the Black Conservative movement here in Milwaukee. Either way it won’t end well for you until you concede you made a very foolish mistake and you learn from it.
Example: on President’s Day will you release a similar press releases about George Washington activities and celebrations in schools and such and other presidents who defiled Black slaves? I don’t think you will so why start now against a people who have already been dealt their share of atrocities? Do you see where your slippery slope has taken you Senator Grothman? Wasn’t smart was it? Time to apologize!!
It is time for you to get a clue or get to steppin’ as we say in where I come from. And to save you the hassle, I am 100% Black African Conservative. Today you shame my people and our Conservative movement. You embarrass me.
We cannot claim a holiday as our own like our Hispanic and Asian brothers and sisters to mention a couple. If you remember those were taken from us. We have but a few things we cherish and this is one. However being the selfless people we are we share this gift with you still. And though you showed bigotry, your invitation for next year’s event to light the Kinora candle awaits you. How forgiving a people we are! This is the heart of the Black because we are compassionate and we are a loving people always. Even in the face of pure hate and evil we show God’s mercy and forgiveness.
However you do have to atone for your words and your LACK of exploring deeper than paper. You simply must. When you are ready, we will take you into our world and then it is time for you to understand the plight of the Black of 2012. Living in 1960 something is pretty useless when talking about the here and now of Kwanzaa.
Until then however this cannot be washed away or overlooked. You must not make such a careless statement and walk away. This statement was like spitting in the face of our ancestors and it cannot be taken lightly. And it is only fitting that a fellow conservative be the one to re-light the Kinora to start the atonement.
There will be no peace until there is atonement for your hate manifested into words. Sadder yet there are Blacks and Africans who share the Senator’s sentiments. There is not much I can do about them. They have that right afforded them by the First Amendment. The difference with them is that they did not use the media to make an attack against a people who did not attack them. This Senator did and now he must atone and right his tragic wrong and we shall not be moved until he does.
Trust and believe if you don’t get it together, there will be an alter call, Kwanzaa re-celebration, Black History Month, etc… and all things Black at your office and in your face real soon. Get it together Senator. You have been warned!!
Peace Family,
WW
Wonder Woman is a community activist and blogger.
She is a proud member of the JustUs League!
She has her own blog site at http://www/wonder2woman.blogspot.com
She also contributes to The Milwaukee Drum, the Black Convo Network, Insane Asylum Blog, and Black Bloggers Connect.
Contact info:
wonder2woman (Twitter)
411wonderwoman@gmail.com
Senator Grothman’s Home Page
http://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/grothman/Pages/default.aspx
Contact Senator Glenn Grothman
http://legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/contact/legislatorpages.aspx?house=senate&district=20
Madison OfficeRoom 10 South |
Voting Address151 University Drive 312 N |
Telephone(608) 266-7513 Or |
District Telephone(262) 338-8061 |
Fax(608) 282-3560 |
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His Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 28, 2012
For further information, please contact:
Glenn Grothman – (608) 266-7513 – Office
(262) 689-8421 – Cell Phone
Why Must We Still Hear About Kwanzaa?
Madison: Why are hard-core left wingers still trying to talk about Kwanzaa – the supposed African-American holiday celebration between Christmas and New Year’s?
As has been well publicized, Kwanzaa is not some African or African-American tradition. It was invented in 1966 by Ron Karenga, a 1960s radical leader and founder of something called the “US Organization”. This group, often referred to as the “United Slaves” is even more radical than the Black Panthers. The United Slaves killed two Black Panther members and Karenga himself wound up going to prison for assaulting some of his own members. Karenga was a racist and didn’t like the idea that Christ died for all of our sins, so he felt blacks should have their own holiday – hence, Kwanzaa.
Of course, almost no black people today care about Kwanzaa – just white left-wingers who try to shove this down black people’s throats in an effort to divide Americans. Irresponsible public school districts such as Green Bay and Madison (and who knows how many others, see links below) try to tell a new generation that blacks have a separate holiday than Christians. Waring Fincke, left-wing West Bend lawyer and vice chair of the Washington County Democratic Party, encouraged people to learn more about Kwanzaa in a column in July. Fortunately, almost all black people ignore Waring Fincke and his ilk and their efforts to divide Americans.
But why do they do it? They don’t like America and seek to destroy it by pretending that its values as expressed in the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution, don’t apply to everyone. Mainstream Americans must be more outspoken on this issue. It’s time it’s slapped down once and for all. With tens of millions of honorable black Americans in our country’s past, we should not let a violent nut like Karenga speak for them. (By the way, after getting out of prison he was hired as a professor at California State Long Beach. When are we going to stop funding left wing nuts at our public universities?) The churches ought to be particularly appalled since Karenga thought Christmas was a white religion and was trying to draw black people from it. Be on the lookout if a K-12 or college teacher tries to tell your children or grandchildren it’s a real holiday.
Professor Griff Visits Milwaukee! Free to the Public Friday July 27, 2012
