Posted on 10/20/2002 6:04:28 PM PDT by Tumbleweed_Connection
Bush administration National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice tore into washed-up calypso singer Harry Belafonte on Sunday for saying she was even worse than Secretary of State Colin Powell, whom he had called a "house slave."
"I don't need Harry Belafonte to tell me what it means to be black," Rice seethed during an interview with CNN "Late Edition" host Wolf Blitzer, who confronted her with the singer's earlier remarks.
In a talk radio interview last week Belafonte compared Powell to a "slave" who lived "in the house" of the Bush administration, then he told CNN's Larry King days later that Rice was even worse.
"Yes. Absolutely. Absolutely. Even more so. Because I've never heard from Condoleezza Rice even the suggestion towards some of the more lenient thoughts or some of the more appropriate thoughts that Colin Powell has expressed," explained the militant singer.
Of Belafonte's outburst, Rice first said, "Oh, look - it really doesn't need response. If Harry Belafonte disagrees with my political views, that's fine. That's a conversation that is worth having. We're Americans. Everybody should be able to debate views."
But then Rice unloaded on the left-wing entertainer with both barrels, telling Blitzer, "But I don't need Harry Belafonte to tell me what it means to be black."
Someone should tell Belafonte that there also were slaves who would go out capture thier fellow slaves who ran away from the plantation. (Ironically THIS is what earned them the right to a house slave)In this case, the left wing plantation is run by the NAACP, Jessie Jackson (though his influence is a fraction of what it was in years past), Al Sharpton, etc. Conservatives blacks or, in the case of Powell moderate blacks, that stray from the doctrines of victimology, are hunted down by agents of the "massa" who make thier living by crying racism. Belafonte is just one of many who fill this role.
Besides, if you read between the lines, Harry is really saying that leftist ideals is the savior form blacks in America, not hard work and indiviualism. The part that is really sad is that nobody will give Belafonte the viscious verbal attcak he so richly deserves.
Condi Rice is class act. As are most folks associated with GWB's administration. The degree that that pisses off the left truly tickles me.
America first!
LVM
Thanks for sharing this relevant clear-headed wisdom.
What "lenient thoughts" could the irrelevant racist loser Belafonte be referring to? Could he be talking about the time where it appeared (to some) that Powell was appeasing Arafat and other Mid-East terrorists?
The irony is belafonte has struggled all his life to become that which he continually expresses hatred for...WHITE!!...he married one.
IF you have to be a democrat if you are black or part black, then you have to be a Republican if you are white or part white. Now that throws a wrench into the gearshaft! WHO is ALL black or ALL white anymore anyway? I have black and white ancestors -- so this is all so silly to me. Belafonte is just plain SILLY. He is almost as white as my family is!!!!!! sheesh!!!!!!
Harry Belafonte Should Apologize to Colin Powell for Racist Insults
Conservative Black Group Urges Charity to Deny Singer Honor
Singer Harry Belafonte owes Secretary of State Colin Powell an apology for the racial insults Belafonte made about Powell during an October 9 interview. Furthermore, members of the African-American leadership network Project 21 urge the group Africare to rethink honoring Belafonte at a dinner being held later this month unless Belafonte makes a formal apology to Powell.
In a radio interview with KFMB-San Diego talk show host Ted Leitner, Belafonte likened Powell to a slave who curried the favor of his master. Belafonte added: "Colin Powell's committed to come into the house of the master. When Colin Powell dares to suggest something other than what the master wants to hear, he will be turned back out to pasture." He also claimed that Powell "serves to give the illusion that the Bush Cabinet is a diverse Cabinet."
Reacting to Belafonte's comments, Powell later said on CNN's "Larry King Live": "I think it is unfortunate that Harry used that characterization. I'm very proud to be serving my nation once again. I'm very proud to be serving this President... If Harry had wanted to attack my politics, that was fine... But to use a slave reference, I think, is unfortunate and is a throwback to another time and place that I wish Harry had thought twice about using."
"Mr. Belafonte's comments are indeed 'unfortunate,' as General Powell suggests, but the characterizations from this liberal activist-singer follow a long tradition of other liberals who name-call, belittle and assassinate the character of conservatives," said Project 21 member Murdock "Doc" Gibbs. "I've heard it from comedian Whoopi Goldberg, activist Jesse Jackson and former Emerge editor George E. Curry. Regardless of one's contributions to America, regardless of the sterling example one offers to other black Americans - if you're a Republican, if you're conservative, if you serve under this President, you are persona non grata. That is truly unfortunate."
"It is disappointing to see Mr. Belafonte attack a man like Colin Powell." said Project 21 member Ak'bar Shabazz. "Secretary Powell has dedicated years of his life to the service of this country. He also serves as a much-needed role model for the community in an age where men of his integrity have become rare."
Project 21 members also reject Belafonte's claim that President George W. Bush's Cabinet is not diverse. Of the 14 members of the current Cabinet, there are three women, two African-Americans, two Asian-Americans, one Hispanic and one Arab-American. In addition, African-American Condoleezza Rice also serves in a high-ranking role as the President's National Security Advisor.
On October 24, Belafonte is the scheduled guest of honor at Africare's Bishop John T. Walker Memorial Dinner in Washington, DC. The event is described by Africare literature as "the largest event for Africa in the United States." Members of Project 21 hope the group will withhold its tribute to Belafonte until he apologizes to Powell. Besides protesting the inappropriateness of Belafonte's remarks, Project 21 members cite Bush Administration actions such as the doubling of the African Education Initiative budget, work to repeal trade barriers and assistance in fighting terrorism and AIDS as proof that Powell and the entire Bush Administration are committed to African issues and undeserving of Belafonte's harsh criticism.
Project 21 has been a leading voice in the African-American community since 1992. For more information, contact Chris Burger or David Almasi at (202) 371-1400 or Project21@nationalcenter.org, or visit Project 21's web site at http://www.project21.org/P21Index.html.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.