by STAFF WRITER
March 2, 2022
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Mar 2, CMC – Prime Minister Andrew Holness says one of the country’s highways will be named in honour of the renowned singer, civil rights activist and actor, Harry Belafonte.
Holness made the announcement to coincide with the 95th birthday of Belafonte on March 1, who has Jamaican parentage.
“As we celebrate with Harry Belafonte, his 95 years, the Government and people of Jamaica….in this our 60th year of Independence…will name one of our highways after our titan in his honour and in recognition of the long road to freedom Harry Belafonte has traversed on behalf of our people,” Holness said.
He described Belafonte as” an icon whose pristine voice, soaring melodies, and music on the global stage, magically matched the rhythm and power of his stride in the march for equal rights, justice, and empowerment.
“Harry Belafonte’s fierce defence of the dignity and integrity of our people, has inspired us to make our own commitment to the struggle toward the fuller, mental freedom asserted by Garvey.”
Holness referred to Belafonte as a humanitarian and an activist, adding “we celebrate his unflinching political stance for the upliftment and fulfilment of the promise and power of the lives of the black race. Throughout, his has been a constant voice against racial prejudice not only in the United States of America but in South Africa and anywhere in the world that injustice reared its ugly head.
The Jamaica prime minister said that over the years, Belafonte decried colonial oppression and has given a life of service to the campaign for the elimination of chronic poverty and disease, under-education, and economic hardships.
“Harry Belafonte is the name forever affectionately associated with uniting artists, philanthropists, and businessmen in the cause for African redemption, one such being the intersection of arts and politics in the still-remembered USA for Africa.
“Harry Belafonte has walked with Kings and Presidents yet has never lost the common touch. From Jamaica to Rwanda to Kenya to Senegal, he has given voice to the voiceless, and hope to the downtrodden, appearing in a tonality and sincerity born out of the natural harmony of his artistic foundation, and vocation for transformation of the planet we occupy.”
Belafonte is known for his recording of “The Banana Boat Song”, with its signature lyric “Day-O”. He has recorded and performed in many genres, including blues, folk, gospel, show tunes, and American standards. He has also starred in several films, including Carmen Jones (1954), Island in the Sun (1957), and Odds Against Tomorrow (1959).
CMC/ag/ir/2022
