Harry+Belafonte

Harry Belafonte was one of the most popular musicians during and before the Civil Rights Movement. He was a singer, songwriter, actor and activist.
 * by Sheyenne, Grade 6**

Harry Belafonte started out by singing at New York clubs to get money for acting classes. He was interested in folk music. His first song was Matilda, which was a very popular song in the 1950’s. His next big song, named Calypso, sold over 1 million copies. It was on the top 100 albums list. It was number 1 on the list for 31 weeks. Harry Belafonte was not only interested in folk music. He also liked blue, gospel, show tunes and pop.

Harry Belafonte’s first movie that he starred in was “Bright Road” in 1953. He then starred in a movie with Dorothy Dandridge, in 1957, called “Island in the Sun”. In 1959 he starred in “Odds Against Tomorrow”.

In Freedom Summer, in 1964, Harry Belafonte supported the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. SNCC was one of the Civil Rights Movement’s organizations. It started in 1960. Harry Belafonte was one of the organizers of the March on Washington in 1963. He also organized a group to raise funds for the movement. While Martin Luther King, Jr. was in jail, he raised $50,000.

Harry Belafonte was one of the most important people during the Civil Rights Movement and the March on Washington. He is still one of the most important people and musicians. A big mark of his is on this earth, and will continue.