VTMBH Article: Body
Theres an old saying, in the days of slavery, there were those who lived on the plantation and there were those slaves that lived in the house.
Harry Belafonte, one of Americas great and most enduring entertainers, and civil and human rights advocates, was recalling an ugly part of Americas and, indeed, the Caribbeans history: the horrible centuries of slavery and the ability of the white slave master to manipulate human beings for his own unsavory ends.
But Belafonte, the son of West Indian parents, Jamaicans to be exact, wasnt simply referring to a sad chapter in history. He used the analogy to complain about the role of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, a highly respected public figure who also traces the roots of his familys tree to Jamaica.
Colin Powells committed to come into the house of the master, Belafonte said. When Colin Powell dares to suggest something other than what the master wants to hear, he will be turned out to pasture.
The master, in this case, is President George Bush and what the White House occupant doesnt want to hear is any criticism of his push to stage a pre-emptive strike against Saddam Husseins Iraq.
Was Belafonte out of line to use the slave master analogy or was he voicing a deeply held feeling among whites and Blacks about Powell?
We believe the latter is the correct answer. And it took a very brave man to go up against such a titan as Powell in the way that he did.
Belafontes action may not have been the politically correct thing to do in todays environment, but he must be applauded for his courage in speaking out, knowing full well that he may have to pay a heavy price for it. But, then, taking on the powers that be has never deterred the internationally famous actor, singer and political figure.
His forthrightness and bravery have been rewarded, first with his ability to live comfortably with himself, knowing that he stands for something, and secondly, with the recognition he has received through awards and honors from a variety of national, regional and international institutions.
Clearly, the Bush administrations plan to launch an attack on Iraq has unnerved millions of Americans who are concerned that Washington would send their sons to fight and die in an unjustified war. After all, they say, the Bush administration has cozy relations with several countries that currently possess nuclear weapons; Russia, Pakistan, India, Ukraine and Israel are a few examples, but there isnt any talk about going to war over their weapons of mass destruction.
Worst of all, there isnt any clear proof that Iraq possesses such weapons to begin with or that it intends to use them in the future.
In simple, straightforward terms, a case hasnt made for an attack on Iraq that would justify the loss of hundreds, if not thousands, of Americans lives.
The problem is that while people in both black and white communities across the United States have expressed their misgivings about Bushs plan of action, no one with the stature of Belafonte has displayed the intestinal fortitude to stand up and criticize Powell, who has been given the awful job of selling the idea of war against Iraq to the international community and to the American people.
Whats difficult for many people to accept is the way Powell has been carrying out his job, with gusto.
But Iraq isnt the only issue that has lead to disappointment in Powells performance as the first black person to head the State Department.
The unilateralist positions, which the Bush administration has initiated in such areas as the environment, disarmament, international trade, and family planning and abortion, have left nations around the world wondering where he stands.
Blacks are also appalled by the Bush administrations treatment of Powell. It is widely known that he has lost many key foreign policy battles, so much so that earlier this year there was intense speculation that he would quit in protest.
A mix of disquiet and disappointment is also being heard, albeit privately, in some Caribbean circles as well. Some public figures are saying that the nice words of interest voiced by Powell and National Security Advisor Dr. Condoleezza Rice, have not been matched with concrete action on the Third Border Initiative and other priority matters by the Bush team.
That explains why a prominent politician sided with Belafonte when he spoke out against Powell. The Caribbean public figure was quoted as saying that the entertainer had simply said what he too felt about the Secretary of State but couldnt say it publicly.
Like most things done in the United States these days, the interest and concerns of black people, when it comes to Iraq, are at the bottom rung of the ladder of the administrations priorities. And Powells apparent failure to bring those concerns to the table is deeply disappointing.
Harry Belafonte, one of Americas great and most enduring entertainers, and civil and human rights advocates, was recalling an ugly part of Americas and, indeed, the Caribbeans history: the horrible centuries of slavery and the ability of the white slave master to manipulate human beings for his own unsavory ends.
But Belafonte, the son of West Indian parents, Jamaicans to be exact, wasnt simply referring to a sad chapter in history. He used the analogy to complain about the role of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, a highly respected public figure who also traces the roots of his familys tree to Jamaica.
Colin Powells committed to come into the house of the master, Belafonte said. When Colin Powell dares to suggest something other than what the master wants to hear, he will be turned out to pasture.
The master, in this case, is President George Bush and what the White House occupant doesnt want to hear is any criticism of his push to stage a pre-emptive strike against Saddam Husseins Iraq.
Was Belafonte out of line to use the slave master analogy or was he voicing a deeply held feeling among whites and Blacks about Powell?
We believe the latter is the correct answer. And it took a very brave man to go up against such a titan as Powell in the way that he did.
Belafontes action may not have been the politically correct thing to do in todays environment, but he must be applauded for his courage in speaking out, knowing full well that he may have to pay a heavy price for it. But, then, taking on the powers that be has never deterred the internationally famous actor, singer and political figure.
His forthrightness and bravery have been rewarded, first with his ability to live comfortably with himself, knowing that he stands for something, and secondly, with the recognition he has received through awards and honors from a variety of national, regional and international institutions.
Clearly, the Bush administrations plan to launch an attack on Iraq has unnerved millions of Americans who are concerned that Washington would send their sons to fight and die in an unjustified war. After all, they say, the Bush administration has cozy relations with several countries that currently possess nuclear weapons; Russia, Pakistan, India, Ukraine and Israel are a few examples, but there isnt any talk about going to war over their weapons of mass destruction.
Worst of all, there isnt any clear proof that Iraq possesses such weapons to begin with or that it intends to use them in the future.
In simple, straightforward terms, a case hasnt made for an attack on Iraq that would justify the loss of hundreds, if not thousands, of Americans lives.
The problem is that while people in both black and white communities across the United States have expressed their misgivings about Bushs plan of action, no one with the stature of Belafonte has displayed the intestinal fortitude to stand up and criticize Powell, who has been given the awful job of selling the idea of war against Iraq to the international community and to the American people.
Whats difficult for many people to accept is the way Powell has been carrying out his job, with gusto.
But Iraq isnt the only issue that has lead to disappointment in Powells performance as the first black person to head the State Department.
The unilateralist positions, which the Bush administration has initiated in such areas as the environment, disarmament, international trade, and family planning and abortion, have left nations around the world wondering where he stands.
Blacks are also appalled by the Bush administrations treatment of Powell. It is widely known that he has lost many key foreign policy battles, so much so that earlier this year there was intense speculation that he would quit in protest.
A mix of disquiet and disappointment is also being heard, albeit privately, in some Caribbean circles as well. Some public figures are saying that the nice words of interest voiced by Powell and National Security Advisor Dr. Condoleezza Rice, have not been matched with concrete action on the Third Border Initiative and other priority matters by the Bush team.
That explains why a prominent politician sided with Belafonte when he spoke out against Powell. The Caribbean public figure was quoted as saying that the entertainer had simply said what he too felt about the Secretary of State but couldnt say it publicly.
Like most things done in the United States these days, the interest and concerns of black people, when it comes to Iraq, are at the bottom rung of the ladder of the administrations priorities. And Powells apparent failure to bring those concerns to the table is deeply disappointing.