While at the Locarno Film Festival to receive the event’s Golden Leopard Honor Award, the legendary Harry Belafonte spoke to The Hollywood Reporter and shared his thoughts on a number of issues - including his thoughts on minority celebrities’ lack of contribution to social awareness.
In the interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Harry Belafonte had this to say about Jay-Z and Beyonce...
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 determinated. We are not driven by some technology that says you can kill Afghans, the Iraqis or the Spanish. It is all -- excuse my French -- shit. 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 Beyonce, for example. Give me Bruce Springsteen, and now you’re talking. I really think he is black.
While we do believe it's wrong to deny two people their culture and heritage based on perceived irresponsibility, do you think he makes a valid point?
People are only ignorant until they are exposed to information. It’s a priceless commodity the few people in the areas they come from have access to.
What's your take on Belafonte's Jay and Bey judgment?
