S. Samuel
Grammy-winning singer Beyoncé Knowles-Carter's camp has responded to the recent remarks of renowned activist Harry Belafonte over her and husband Jay-Z's lack of "social responsibility."
A spokesperson for the married R&B diva said Bey has made countless contributions to local and global causes.
In response to Belafonte’s words, Beyonce’s representative emailed what she called “An abbreviated list of the unselfish work Beyoncé has done and continues to do.” The list included co-founding The Survivor Foundation “a multi-purpose community outreach facility in downtown Houston”; donating “100K in 2008 to the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund to aid Texas victims of Hurricane Ike”; performing in “MTV’s Hope For Haiti Now! Benefit in addition to making a generous monetary donation,” among many other charitable activities. (Wall Street Journal)
A few days ago, Newsone writer Kirsten West Savali defended Bey and Jay-Z’s image in light of Belafonte’s comments.
Beyonce has been a vocal supporter of amfAR, a foundation for AIDS research, and has spoken with young girls openly about the dangers of unprotected sex and battles with temptation to ensure that they stay safe. She also donated her entire salary from 2008’s Cadillac Records to Phoenix House, a drug and rehabilitation clinic she visited for research to play the incomparable Etta James, and is also a spokeswoman for Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS). Maybe, just maybe, we should try acknowledging what this couple has done, which may encourage them do more, instead of band-wagon jumping on the opinion of one — albeit, great — man and taking his justifiably frustrated criticism even further than I believe that he intended. (Newsone)
Recently, Belafonte cited the music couple for their perceived lack of social responsibility.
“I think that 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 Beyoncé for example. Give me Bruce Springsteen and now you’re talking. I really think he is black.” (The Hollywood Reporter)
The 85 year-old activist is most known for his involvement in civil rights causes.
Harold George “Harry” Belafonte, Jr. (born March 1, 1927) is an American singer, songwriter, actor and social activist. He was dubbed the “King of Calypso” for popularizing the Caribbean musical style with an international audience in the 1950s. Belafonte is perhaps best known for singing “The Banana Boat Song”, with its signature lyric “Day-O”. Throughout his career he has been an advocate for civil rights and humanitarian causes and was a vocal critic of the policies of the George W. Bush Administration. (Wikipedia)
