HARRY BELAFONTE IS NO MORE - HE IS WITH THE ANCESTORS - HIS JOURNEY ON THIS EARTH - WAS ONE OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN - ALWAYS SPOKE TRUTH TO POWER - ALWAYS UPLIFTED THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.

Harry Belafonte - passed away - 96 years old.

Harry Belafonte has passed - he is with the ancestors - and a human being that was a light to so many - stood tall and represented - always represented the indigenous is no more.

Today when most of us heard of his passing - 96 years old - those of us who grew up listening to his music, his lyrics uplifting those that labor in the fields - those who are poor - those that have no one to defend themselves.

Harry Belafonte rubbed shoulders with the most powerful advocates before and after the Civil Rights Movement - his actions speak volumes, and he was not one - afraid  - to express himself forthrightly.

Harry Belafonte saw it all - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

He watched his parents and other laborers - toil in the Banana Field - and the " tally man " in the song - is the one who wanted the product and more of it - he would sell the produce - but when it came to paying for the labor - a pittance.

Harry Belafonte made no bones - when it came to racism and the incarceration of Blacks - in short, the imprisonment of people of color.

The United States must be ashamed of itself - having the most incarcerated and many innocent lingering in our jails.

In 2023, we are worse off than ever - never mind, there is talk about racial equity and reparations that makes no sense - Blacks are still begging for money - when they must stand tall and represent.

The Whites are greedy - and even though they have so much - they will use their privilege to take from those with little.

We have NO Black leaders, and the Black churches are failing.

The schools that once boosted educating Black children - have fallen behind - more during the pandemic - and no one seems to care.

Harry Belafonte fought for the indigenous - he was not one to be afraid to speak Truth to power. Today, leaders want to be politically correct - need to learn about cultural competency - cannot discern, less do a needs assessment - most need to be educated on issues. 

Today those who have heard Harry Belafonte sing in person, make speeches in person, and had the pleasure of shaking his hand. Participating in his many protests, events, funding raising - will honor and respect his life on this Earth - he is now with the ancestors.

Thank you for supporting the indigenous tribes.

HARRY BELAFONTE

To know you and witness your life.

Hear your song and bear witness to 

your speech - straight from the heart

touched the souls of millions

all over the world.

The trials and tribulations you endured

you shared with the world 

when one heard you sing - it brought

tears to our eyes - and soothe the soul

for we felt the pain and understood too

there is hope - and light shines 

at the end of the tunnel.

You understood with Dr. Martin Luthr King Jr.

that people of color - had to fend for themselves

we only can help ourselves 

right now, in the year 2023 - 

people of color in the United States

are worse off - than ever before.

Black-on-Black violence -

rivers of blood on our streets -

the lack of education and incarceration

of Blacks and others in our jails is pathetic 

we know about it - but few have the balls

to do something about it.

This mantra of begging for favors

is not the way to go 

Blacks must uplift Black - and STOP

the crab mentality of pulling down

those Blacks that are doing well -

stay united and inspire those 

that need help most.

San Francisco is the most racists city

it is a pity to see so many suffer 

on the streets of San Francsico

drug addicts - stealing - robbing - cheating -

lying - and there is more 

we must not let down our best leaders 

not Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

not Harry Belafonte - who is now

with our ancestors - pay heed to the deeds

of this great man - and leader

who always spoke the Truth.

Francisco Da Costa

San Francisco 

April 25, 2023