Harry Belafonte calls Colin Powell a "House Slave"

[brainzandbeauty]

This is ridiculous! Folks need to learn how to challenge ideas, not hurl insults!

Sorors, SFs, what do you think?

http://www.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/...nte/index.html

[CrucialCrimson]

But, he is challenging his ideas, actions and general politics. The fact that he characterized in a particular way (plantation/slavery reference) doesn't mean it is an insult it just brings his point home in a particular way. Getting labeled is part of the political game and I'm sure Mr. Powell has thick enough skin by now to handle it. How many "diversity" circles or whatever they are called now in corporate america, use plantation references to explain how people feel and behave in certain settings - it really isn't that big a deal to me.

[Love_Spell_6]

I am so tired of our own (african americans) pulling us down, the higher we go up the ladder! What is Colin Powell to do?? HELLO, he is the Secretary of State of the US! He can't very well push his own agenda. IMO it seems as if Powell really doesn't want to go along with Bush's agenda, but when you are a part of a Presidential administration, ya kinda have to. I am so sick of the whole "Uncle Tom," "House Ni**er" mentality. This is so deeply rooted in self hate, that we can't even see it. Anytime one of us Speaks Properly, plays Golf instead of football, or does something that's not considered "black" we're labeled an Uncle Tom etc. As soon as someone steps outside of the box, they're an Uncle Tom. WHY does it have to be this way? We're not all Democrats and we don't all agree with Al Sharpton!! This is a monolithic type of thinking and it is so sad.

I say KUDOS to Colin Powell and for what he stands for. I just can't wait for the day when we stop behaving like a bunch of crabs in a bucket

[Shani26]

Though I might not agree with all of the policies Colin Powell stands for, I respect him as a black man standing up for what he believes in. The whole "house slave" comment to me is outrageous AND even MORE so coming from another black man. I think if a white person were to characterize him as a house slave people would more likely take the stance of "why does he have to be a house slave just because he holds different views than most black people" . I am so tired of black people being categorized and lumped together! And I am ESPECIALLY tired of it coming from our own people!

[AKA2D '91]

I was too when I heard this. It is known that Bush and Powell haven't been on the same page as far as matters of the "state" are concerned.

Still, Belafonte had the nerve to "go there", while he has his NON-AA on his arm and his daughter Shari. (I'm not sure about now, but in the past this has been the case.)

This reminds me of the incident where Montell Williams was upset with Whoopi when Ted (then boyfriend) entertained at a roast in "black face."

Whatever!

Nexxxxxtttttt....

[dsmmi12]

Montel cant talk about anyone himself he regularly sports a White woman on his arms. BUT DATS A WHOLE NOTHER TOPIC


If you work for someone and they ask you do something that is beyond your beliefs or your morals...what would you do? Step down or ride it out. if you were in a position (and Colin Powell is not) where you need to feed the kids,....perhaps you may be incvlined to stay longer than you normally would have. But if Mr. Powel is so indifferent to the views of his employer....why has he stucj it out and represented his boss fro so long. ALMOST as bad as Condaleeza Rice. ooops.....did i say that???

[oneinamillion]

Colin isn't doing anything wrong. Now if he's being seen as a house slave then I quess you can put me in the house anytime!!! .
Harry can't talk due to the hell his daughter Sherry has given him and the stuff he and Dorothy Dandridge had to take starting out.
Does that make him a house slave when he and his agents had
to literally begged Mayer Goldwyn or MGM studios to give him a movie to starr in or just to be in back in the day. He only lucked up with Carmen Jones.
Sidney Poitier is more respectful than he'll ever be.
Harry..........puuuuuuuuuuuuuulleaz
I hate to say that but like someone posted prior we need to stop taking it there with each other.........especially out in public. Old Harry should have confronted him one on one like Martin and Malcolm once did. I tell you what we won't do to get some recognition or should I say.........................rednition

[Love_Spell_6]

Originally posted by dsmmi12

If you work for someone and they ask you do something that is beyond your beliefs or your morals...what would you do? Step down or ride it out. if you were in a position (and Colin Powell is not) where you need to feed the kids,....perhaps you may be incvlined to stay longer than you normally would have. But if Mr. Powel is so indifferent to the views of his employer....why has he stucj it out and represented his boss fro so long. ALMOST as bad as Condaleeza Rice. ooops.....did i say that???

I cannot believe that people still feel this way in 2002! Does anyone know what the job requirements of the Secretary of State are?? So would Colin Powell be "THE MAN" if he stepped down? That is ludicrous! Almost as ludicrous as people in the black community who supported Ludicrous as a role model in the whole Pepsi controversy!!.... This is blatant racism from our own community! Now what if a white person had said this about Powell, then we'd want to march and have boycotts! If the beef is with his politics, FINE, but don't attack him as a BLACK MAN! THAT IS OUTRAGEOUS!! And I bet these same people hail the Notorious BIG as a hero........or better yet Denzel and Halle as heroes.......PEOPLE THIS IS ENTERTAINMENT, NOT REAL WORLD --ISH!! It is because of the way we think that our children want to emulate basketaball players and rappers instead of politicians, regardless of their views.

Oh, I can't wait until I reach my goal of being in Congress one day, because some of our self proclaimed black leaders don't have a clue!!!!!!!!!

[brainzandbeauty]

Love_Spell_6, oneinamillion and I are on the same page.

My stepfather (retired Marine, Vietman Vet) made a good point when he said Colin knows what he's doing and he's wise enough not to engage in silly battles with *civilians* who never put their life on the line to protect the constitutional right to call anybody a "house slave"

See you in Congress!!!

[GroovePhi62]

If alot of people knew the real history behind alot that is said in this country it would spare alot of us as Black citizens alot of grief. What Harry B. said was hios opinion and just that HIS. Last night I was looking at the Senate "give their opinions" on why we should and should not go to war with Sadaam and then a news flash came about and I was sitting there with my grandfather, 84 years young(WWII, Hiroshima, Civil Rights Activist, etc.) and when he heard the news of what Harry said He agreed with it totally. He took me back to the time in which Kennedy was assasinated and that certain "Black Folk" came charging down on Malcom X(Malik El Hajj El Shabazz) when he made the comment "It looks like the chickens came home to roost". Now Harry B. is not Malcom X, but one must remember Colin Powell is not Thurgood Marshall either. Both have achieved "First " status for our people but whom in their roles have done more for black people. Everything that Colin Powell has done has been for himself not for Black people as a whole.Unlike Thurgood M., Brown v. Board of Education, Roe v. Wade, and countles other cases that he was looking out for the minority issues.
Now for those of you whom do not follow politics that much when Colin was put into his position as Secretary of State he was told the office would be run one sort of way and then next thing you know the rug was kind off pulled from under him. Colin and Condeleeza were both chosen for the same reason: Foreign and Middle East knowledge and also because it helps his cabinet with their overall agenda. They were both chosen because they don't raise no sand and they follow orders to a "T". They do not pose a threat to Bush and so they are considered "safe", This my people is what Harry B. was refering to when he called Colin a House Negro. House Negro's were considered "Safe", don't raise no cane, they took orders, and only worried about the individuial instead of the whole.
No one is trying to take away what the man has done as an individual but what we see Bush blatantly doing to a well regarded man is taking away his dignity and pride. Colin does not want to revisit the issue of Iraq, but because his hands are somewhat tied he has to sit there and bear it. Colin 's original focus was Africa, if anyone can remember, and he was critisized by his white counterparts for doing that. For him to be cowering to Bush in the media right now makes him look bad. Right now Colin is looking like a YES man instead of his own man and I would rather have a Harry B. in that office any day comparwed to a "Uncle Tom" negro whom is only has a certain position to please his Boss. I don't know how many people actually work in Corporate America but I see Colin Powells everyday here in Chicago and these are the type of Briothers whom would sell their mother to get a raise. Leave Harry B. alone, believe me he ain't alone on his stance.

P.S. Happy Birthday to Nation of Groove Phi Groove SFI. 40 as of Oct 12, 1962
Peace Ladies

[Honeykiss1974]

GroovePhi62

Thanks for the point of view. You did give me something to ponder.

[brainzandbeauty]

I appreciate what you had to say Groove. Thanks for offering another perspective.