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 c
ivil 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 Cub
a 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 t
he one he was given. Geoff: He was as tireless as he was brilliant, and he was
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