Harry Belafonte Stands His Ground At Florida State Capitol

Take note Jay-Z, singer and entertainer Harry Belafonte isn’t just gracing people with his presence. Belafonte, 86, is being their voice and advocate. He’s railing against the “Stand Your Ground” law in the Florida State Capitol.

Belafonte began standing with protesters, who’ve been there since July 15, since Friday, the Huffington Post reports.

Protestors want a special legislative session to review the state’s controversial self-defense law. It comes in the wake of George Zimmerman’s acquittal for fatally shooting 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Florida Gov. Rick Scott shows no signs, so far, of succumbing to pressure.

Belafonte or the protesters aren’t deterred. He said Scott should respond before frustration becomes rage.

At the moment all of this is governable, all of this is in a place? where it can be debated and analyzed and discussed in a very peaceful,? calm, productive way.

Activism isn’t something new for the legendary performer. Belafonte befriended the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and became a civil rights warrior, according to biography.com. He not only participated in many protests, Belafonte helped fund the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).

Despite the elder’s efforts to pave the way for people like Jay-Z, Beyonce’s husband chose to diss Belafonte for calling out his perceived lack of community service, according to indiewire.com. Belafonte said:

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 Beyonc?, for example. Give me Bruce Springsteen, and now? you’re talking. I really think he is black.

Other artists let his admonishment inspire them, Jay-Z chose to lash out in print…

I’m offended by that because first of all, and this is going to sound arrogant, but my presence is charity. Just who I am.

…and in song…

Mr. Day O, major fail; Respect these youngins boy, it’s my time now.

– lyrics from “Nickles and Dimes.”

Irony drips from those lyrics, since Belafonte fought to keep Jay-Z from being called a boy. Belafonte, in the face of Jay-Z’s reaction, has asked to meet with the rapper and his wife, Beyonce.

Edited/Published by: SB

Jason Carson Wilson is a Chicago-based freelance writer with more than 10 years of journalism experience. Wilson previously worked as a staff writer for daily and weekly newspapers throughout downstate Illinois. He also contribute to the Windy City Times. Wilson, a gay, African-American, is a first-year Chicago Theological Seminary student. He covers stories about GLBT rights, human rights, marriage equality, politics, race, and religion.