Podcast Summary

The Political Scene | The New Yorker
Episode: Harry Belafonte Talks to Jelani Cobb About Entertainment and Activism
Date: October 3, 2016
Host: Jelani Cobb

Overview

This episode features a deeply personal and reflective conversation between journalist and historian Jelani Cobb and legendary entertainer and activist Harry Belafonte. As the Many Rivers to Cross festival—a gathering of artists and activists—approaches, Belafonte reflects on his lifelong activism, his concerns about the current state of civil rights movements, and his hopes for the next generation of changemakers. The discussion blends historical insight with pressing commentary on the politics of 2016, revealing Belafonte's unique perspective as both a participant in history and a mentor to today's activists.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting & Introductions

• Jelani Cobb visits Belafonte in his office, which functions like an archive displaying his gold records, movie posters, and elements of his biography (03:19).
• Anecdote about Belafonte's failed burger joint, humorously highlighting his early struggles and generosity to fellow artists (05:08–05:33).
• Belafonte attributes his worldview to his upbringing as the child of hardworking yet disadvantaged West Indian immigrants (05:46).

2. Identity: Activist First, Artist Second

• Belafonte rejects the idea that he is an artist who became an activist:

  “People think of you as an artist who became an activist, but you think of yourself as an activist who became an artist.” — Jelani Cobb (06:05)
  “Yes, that's exactly correct… You become an activist the day you're born, because your whole lust and thrust and effort is to get out of poverty, and that requires a lot of work.” — Harry Belafonte (06:16)

3. Stories from the Movement

• Belafonte recounts a harrowing, covert mission with Sidney Poitier to deliver $100,000 to civil rights workers in Greenwood, Mississippi, avoiding both government surveillance and the Ku Klux Klan (07:06–08:31).
  • Memorable quote:

    “When we got to Greenwood, it was one of the darkest nights… these lights went up… I said, I think those are the feds. And Willie Blue said, ‘Feds, my ass. That's the Klan.’” — Harry Belafonte (07:55)

4. Reflection on Contemporary Activism

• Belafonte expresses disappointment and concern about the current state of organized black activism and leadership:

  “What really stuns me is the absence of black presence in the face of the kind of animus that's being heaped upon us… There is no real, substantial voice coming out of the black movement. Our organizations are fallow… It is the absence of black consciousness, black response to these things…” — Harry Belafonte (09:26)

• He distinguishes between a “movement,” which is organized and purposeful, and a “struggle,” which is reactive:

  “A movement... is an organized body with purpose, with declared targets, with clarity of philosophy, with an ideology. A struggle is when somebody slaps you and you try to cover yourself from the blow.” — Belafonte (11:06)

5. On Passing the Baton and Black Lives Matter

• He critiques established organizations for leaving a leadership vacuum:

  “There is no voice that stands strong in leading some mighty response, some righteous response to what's going on.” — Belafonte (12:06)

• Belafonte acknowledges and takes pride in younger voices, including John Legend and Black Lives Matter activists, who view him as a mentor (13:01).

  “When I listen to young people like Jesse Williams, when I listen to John Legend... I feel rewarded that somewhere along the line, these are the dividends for what we invested. All my colleagues were now dead and gone because I now understand that I'm officially at the end. I don't want to do it anymore.” — Belafonte (13:01)

6. Belafonte’s Present and Future Outlook

• Belafonte discusses his advancing age and shifting priorities:

  “I am going to spend the rest of my days perhaps being more radical than I ever thought I would ever be, saying things that are more radical because I no longer want to lead anything… I just want to say the truth and what it is.” — Belafonte (13:46)

• He’s keen to focus on honesty and speaking truth to power rather than organizational leadership as he looks toward his legacy.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On activism as an identity:

  “You become an activist the day you're born…” — Belafonte (06:16)

• On courage and danger in the movement:

  “Feds, my ass. That's the Klan.” — Willie Blue, relayed by Belafonte (07:55)

• On lost organizational power:

  “Our organizations are fallow. Where is SNCC? Where is SCLC, the NAACP? …There’s no labor movement in this country. There’s a labor struggle, but there’s no labor movement.” — Belafonte (09:26; 10:30)

• On passing the baton to youth:

  “When I listen to young people... I feel rewarded that somewhere along the line, these are the dividends for what we invested.” — Belafonte (13:01)

• On radical honesty in later life:

  “I just want to say the truth and what it is. There's a lot of stuff to be said. Where I go with it, I don't know. But I won't be knocking at your door.” — Belafonte (13:46)

Key Timestamps

• 03:19 — Description of Belafonte’s office and legacy artifacts
• 05:08–05:33 — Belafonte's early struggles as a restaurant owner
• 06:16 — Belafonte on identity as an activist
• 07:06–08:31 — Story of clandestine trip to Mississippi with Sidney Poitier
• 09:26–11:02 — Critique of current civil rights leadership’s absence
• 12:06 — On the failed continuation of strong organizations
• 13:01 — Reflections on the new generation and passing the baton
• 13:46 — Belafonte on being more radical and focusing on speaking truth

Tone and Style

The episode is reflective, conversational, and deeply personal, capturing Belafonte’s gravitas, wit, and unwavering commitment to justice. Jelani Cobb’s respectful curiosity helps draw out nuanced reflections, allowing listeners to traverse civil rights history while staying rooted in today’s urgent struggles.

Final Thoughts

This intimate conversation with Harry Belafonte offers an invaluable bridge between generations of activists. His recollections serve both as a powerful historical record and a call to action for new leaders—emphasizing the necessity, courage, and soul of organized movements. Belafonte may be stepping back from leadership, but his candor and perspective continue to resonate as a radical voice for truth.