15 Harry Belafonte Quotes We Need to Hear Now More Than Ever
In light of the legendary entertainer and civil rights icon's passing, we felt it fitting to remember his many words of wisdom to keep us pushing in the fight.
Throughout his 96 years of life, his work both in the arts and philanthropic spaces left an indelible impact that we’re still benefitting from to this day. In the times that we’re living in where the fight for fairness seems to get more challenging by the moment, we felt it fitting to look back on a handful of famous quotes from Belafonte for inspiration to help us continue in our quest.
“You can cage the singer, but not the song.”
Harry Belafonte performing in a recording studio, circa 1957. Photo: Getty Images Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos
“My activism has always existed. My art gave me the platform to do something about the activism.”
A crowd of over 10,000 civil rights marchers gathers in the Manhattan Garment Center as Harry Belafonte sings at spiritual at a civil rights rally. Photo: Getty Images Bettmann
“Movements don’t die, because struggle doesn’t die.”
Harry Belafonte waves to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (right) as he leaves the column of civil rights marchers here March 24th after walking with them for a short time. Belafonte is one of the show world celebrities who have traveled to Montgomery to entertain the Selma-to-Montgomery marchers on their final night encampment near the city limits of Montgomery. In the background (center) is movie star Tony Perkins, one of the luminaries taking part in the protest march. Photo: Getty Images Bettmann
“Fascism is fascism. Terrorism is terrorism. Oppression is oppression.”
Harry Belafonte performing at the Riviera hotel in Las Vegas, 1957. Photo: Getty Images Hulton Archive
“Peace is necessary. For justice, it is necessary. For hope, it is necessary, for our future.”
Harry Belafonte addresses the crowds at the Lincoln Memorial during March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Washington DC, 28th August 1963. Photo: Getty Images Kurt Severin/Three Lions/Hulton Archive
“Bring it on. Dissent is central to any democracy.”
Harry Belafonte, rehearsing at the Riverside Studios before a BBC appearance. Photo: Getty Images Terry Disney/Central Press
“I don’t think we are a species or a people that can exist without making mistakes somewhere along the line.”
Harry Belafonte performing in a recording studio, circa 1957. Photo: Getty Images Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos
“Although slavery may have been abolished, the crippling poison of racism still persists, and the struggle continues.”
Le chanteur américain Harry Belafonte lors d’un show télévisé sur Antenne 2 en juin 1976 à Paris, France. Photo: Getty Images Pierre Vauthey/Sygma/Sygma
“I am a man who perceives life in a certain way, a man who rejects things that defecate on humankind, who rejects anything that does not give people room for dissent.”
Harry Belafonte, left; Charlton Heston, Burt Lancaster and Sidney Poitier attending the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Washington D C, August 28th 1963. Photo: Getty Images Express/Archive Photos
“Art in its highest form is art that serves and instructs society and human development.”
Harry Belafonte, wearing a striped shirt, in an unspecified recording studio, location unspecified, circa 1957. The sound engineer is visible working at the console to the right of the frame. Photo: Getty Images Archive Photos/Hulton Archive
“I am who I am despite what America has put before me. I am who I am despite the obstacles that we have all faced based upon race and based upon social and spiritual humiliation.”
Harry Belafonte, performs to an audience of over 6,000 at the Circus Krone Bau, Munich. Photo: Getty Images Keystone
“If I’ve impacted one heart, one mind, one soul and brought to that individual a greater truth than that individual came into a relationship with me having, then I would say that I have been successful.”
Le chanteur américain Harry Belafonte participe a la distribution de nourriture aux réfugiés en Ethiopie, provenant des gains de la vente du disque « USA for Africa ». Photo: Getty Images William Campbell/Sygma
“I’m not gonna do anything other than what I think is worthy of being done.”
Harry Belafonte smoking a cigarette during an interview. Photo: Getty Images Ray Fisher
“Each and everyone of you has the power, the will and the capacity to make a difference in the world in which you live.”
Harry Belafonte performs in concert at the Cheyenne Civic Center on February 27, 1993 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Photo: Getty Images Mark Junge
“Artists are the gatekeepers of truth. We are civilization’s anchor. We are the compass for humanity’s conscious.”
Harry Belafonte performs at International Radio and Television Society Anniversary Gala on March 9, 1967 at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City. Photo: Getty Images Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection
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