amna: Finally tonight, a giant
in the world of performance and
activism has died.
We look at the breadth and
impact of Harry belafonte whom
the president today called a
groundbreaking American who used
his talent, his fame, and his
voice to help redeem the soul of
our nation.
♪♪
amna: It was Harry belafonte's
signature hit in a long career
and life defined by much more
than music.
Belafonte rose to fame with the
1956 banana boat song, earning
him the nickname, king of
calypso.
Born in Harlem to caribbean
parents, he grew up in poverty
during the depression, but went
on to win and, grammy, Oscar,
and Tony awards.
>> ♪♪ Ever since the world began
woman was always fooling man ♪♪
amna: Singing everything from
calypso, to spirituals, to
protest songs.
His third album was the
officially certified album by a
solo performer to sell more than
one million copies.
Belafonte broke barriers on the
stage and screen as well.
One of the few black leading men
in the 50's and unafraid of
tackling taboo themes like race.
Even in a racially segregated
America, the handsome husky
voice belafonte became a sex
symbol with fans nationwide.
But he grew tired of acting,
eventually turning down jobs he
described as racially neutered.
By the 1960's, he was publicly
more politically active.
In 2011, he spoke about that
journey with Gwen Ifill.
>> My activism really started
the day of my birth.
Born from caribbean parents in
New York City.
My mother was overwhelmed by
America.
She came here with hopes and
ambitions that were never
fulfilled.
Amna: Belafonte recalled the
spirit of 1930's America.
>> At that time, there was a lot
of talk about white supremacy
and hitler, and democracy, in
America was mobilizing for this
great campaign.
The whole world was caught up in
it.
What attracted me to the arts
was the fact that I saw theater
as a social force, a political
force.
I felt art was a powerful tool,
and that is what I should be
doing with mine.
Amna: Belafonte lent his vote --
his voice to the civil rights
movement, marching alongside his
friend, martin Luther king Jr.
He reflected on the first moment
he met Dr. King in this 2018
interview with newshour's
Charlene hunter gault.
>> I listened to him and I was
absolutely struck with the way
in which he presented his case
to the black religious
community.
Condemning them for being not
more engaged in the social
destiny of black people.
Amna: As civil rights protests
unfolded in 1968, belafonte
guest hosted the tonight show
for a week.
The first black man ever to host
a late-night show.
His guests included Dr. King and
Bobby Kennedy.
His activism over decades no
bounds.
>> Fight for freedom --
amna: Campaigning to end
apartheid in Africa, mobilizing
support to end hiv-aids, and
serving as a goodwill ambassador
for unicef.
♪♪
amna: In 1985, he helped gather
global superstars to help record
"We are the world."
."
The song raised to $64 million
for famine relief in a field
via.
He faced criticism for meeting
with Fidel Castro of Cuba and
Hugo Chavez of Venezuela.
But he never stopped speaking
out against racism in America.
>> The struggle is still going
on.
The cruelty of the enemy is as
great as ever.
Amna: And he criticized
Democrats and Republicans along
the way.
In 2000 six, calling then
president George W. Bush the
greatest terrorist in the world
for a fading Iraq.
Belafonte carried his mission to
promote peace well into his
later years, reflecting on his
work and life in 2011.
>> Eleanor Roosevelt walked into
my life, and she turned around.
Dr. King called me on the phone
one day.
Now come X knocked at the door
one day.
Nelson Mandela, he and I had an
exchange of letters while he was
in prison.
Just these things can't emerging
and each time I saw opportunity
to become involved, and what the
struggle was about, I felt I
would make as good difference as
I could.
Amna: His publicist said he died
of congestive heart failure
today at his home in New York.
He was 96 years old.
It is like he lived many lives
and the one he was given.
Geoff: He was as tireless as he
was brilliant, and he was