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| Belafonte's Retraction of Remarks on Jews Causes New Flap |
| 2005-08-12 |
| Entertainer/activist Harry Belafonte has retracted some of the controversial comments he made at a civil rights march in Atlanta regarding Jews working for Hitler, but his retraction may have created even more controversy for the singer. During an interview with Cybercast News Service at the Aug. 7 march, Belafonte asserted that Adolf Hitler's regime in Germany included Jews and that African Americans working in the Bush administration should be compared to Jews working for Hitler. "Hitler had a lot of Jews high up in the hierarchy of the Third Reich," Belafonte said on Saturday. He went on to label African Americans working in the Bush administration as "tyrants." On Wednesday, Belafonte told the Jerusalem Post: "I do regret the sentence was not structured more accurately." He added: "I, too, agree that Jews weren't 'high up.'" Brilliant. But Belafonte's interview with the Jerusalem Post on Wednesday, which included the assertion that Jews claim "a high and pure morality," has caused more controversy and more demands for apologies. "The point was not to attack Jews," Belafonte told the Jerusalem Post. "Sometimes, the Jewish people have laid claim to such a high and pure morality" that they react defensively when attacked. But the history of Jewish people "is a DNA that sits within the entire human family," Belafonte said. Even more brilliant. On Thursday, Wyman Institute Director Rafael Medoff responded to Belafonte's assertion that the Jewish people claim "a high and pure morality." Medoff said Belafonte's new statement "smacks of bigotry," and he called on Belafonte "to retract and apologize for his remarks." "Hitler and his regime murdered six million Jews and launched a world war that caused more than 40 million deaths. How can that be compared to current U.S. government policy?" Medoff asked. Belafonte used a 2002 book entitled "Hitler's Jewish Soldiers" to back his claim that Jews were involved in the Third Reich. "Jews did have a role, some did, in the demise and brutal treatment of the Jewish people," Belafonte told the Jerusalem Post. "Was it rampant? Absolutely not," Belafonte told the Post. "But these things happen, and people are not exempt from their behavior," he added. "Let's not be dishonest about all of us. The more we know the truth, the better we'll be [at] improving humanity," he said. So let me see if I have this straight. Jews who, in fear for their very lives, turned in other Jews in order to save themselves. In most of those cases, it mattered not since the Nazis rounded the stoolies up anyway and gassed and burned them too. Harry, come here and get slapped. But the book's author, Bryan Mark Rigg, repudiated Belafonte's attempt to use his book as the basis for his controversial statements. "Belafonte continues to distort history. My book shows that a number of people of partial Jewish ancestry served in the German military, but they did not even consider themselves Jews," Rigg said in a statement released through the David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies. "Moreover, the vast majority of them were drafted - they were forced to serve Hitler just as other Jews were forced to become slave laborers in Auschwitz and elsewhere," Rigg said. "In fact, many of them were later dismissed from the German military and sent to forced labor camps, where they themselves were persecuted, and some were murdered. Belafonte should take the trouble to read the books he cites before claiming they support him. My book doesn't support him," Rigg added. Belafonte really wants to win the Fiskie this year. Too bad he's too irrelevant to warrant such an honor. Belafonte was featured at the rally and march commemorating the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act. His controversial comments came in response to a question about his criticism of blacks working in the Bush administration. The event included prominent Democrats like U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois. Judge Greg Mathis of television fame called members of the Bush administration "thieves" and criminals" who needed to be "locked up" for allegedly stealing the last two presidential elections. Belafonte's original comments about Jews "high up" in the Third Reich's hierarchy prompted the Anti-Defamation League and the David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies to demand an apology earlier this week. Dr. Rafael Medoff, director of the Institute for Holocaust Studies, said Belafonte was wrong about his assertion. "The fact is that there were no Jews in Hitler's hierarchy. The policies of America and Israel are not similar to those of Hitler, and African-American conservatives are not comparable to Nazis," Medoff said. No practicing Jews in Hitler's army, anyway. Comedian Dick Gregory, also interviewed by Cybercast News Service during the Atlanta civil rights march, said that African-American conservatives "have a right to exist, but why would I want to walk around with a swastika on my shirt after the way Hitler done messed it up?" Yuk yuk yuk. No wonder you're such a popular comedian. What was your name again? In the Jerusalem Post interview, Belafonte stuck by his comparison of the Bush administration to Nazi Germany, calling the analogy "not inappropriate" because of the U.S. policy of "detaining suspects without charges [and] creating an atmosphere of fear." These actions, Belafonte said, are "very much similar to the things that were done when Hitler was on the rise." I find your views fascinating and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter. Belafonte then went on to explain why he believes Jewish groups would defend President Bush. This oughtta be good. "I can understand why Jewish leaders would be prone to protect the image of George Bush and his administration," Belafonte told the Post, noting that the president supports Israel "even when there are questions of the humanitarian, the moral and the political [motivation] of things that are done to Palestinians." It's got a hip, modern beat and you can dance to it. I give it an 8.9 Belafonte has received numerous awards from Jewish groups, including the American Jewish Congress, the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai Brith and Yeshiva University, according to the Jerusalem Post. Noting that his wife is of Russian-Jewish heritage, he has visited Israel and he does "the best version" of "Hava Nagila," Belafonte said: "I've always been supportive of the right of Israel as a state, and I've always fought against anti-Semitism, even in my own community." You're doing a great job, too. This is not the first time Belafonte's remarks have caused a backlash. In 2002, Belafonte called then-Secretary of State Colin Powell a "house slave." Ted Rall sez she's a "house nigga". Guess Harry found that offensive. Belafonte has also been criticized for his relationship with Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. In 2002, Belafonte starred in the biographical documentary "Fidel." New York Times movie critic A.O. Scott described the film as "an exercise not in biography but in hero worship." Belafonte "starred" in something? Must have been a direct-to-video masterpiece. |
| Posted by:Chris W. |
| #24 Ogeretla, very nice, both this one and your ditty for Bakri. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2005-08-12 16:30 |
| #23 "...the Jewish people have laid claim to such a high and pure morality that they react defensively when attacked..." And how would you have them react when attacked, Harry? |
| Posted by: Darrell 2005-08-12 15:28 |
| #22 BACK DUE CONTINUAL BLATHER OUTPOURINGS Oldey but Goody for those who missed it on Monday! Harry Belafonte's New "Banana Boat Song" "I'm So Los'" Hey-oh, Hey-ey-ey-oh I'm so los' and I ca’ find ma home Hey, he say hey, he say hey, he say hey, Hey-oh, Hey-ey-ey-oh I'm so los' and I ca’ find ma home Go all day on a cup-a jo' I'm so los' and I ca’ find ma home It's a-gettin noon, There's a Burga King! I'm so los' and I ca’ find ma home Walkin' a-roun’ mumlin' to ma self I'm so los' and I ca’ find ma home Walkin' a-roun’ mumlin' to ma self I'm so los' and I ca’ find ma home Six mile, seven mile, Where am I? I'm so los' and I ca’ find ma home Six mile, seven mile, Where am I? I'm so los' and I ca’ find ma home Hey-oh, Hey-ey-ey-oh I'm so los' and I ca’ find ma home Hey, he say hey, he say hey, he say hey, Hey-oh, Hey-ey-ey-oh I'm so los' and I ca’ find ma home Eight mile, nine mile, Where am I? I'm so los' and I ca’ find ma home Eight mile, nine mile, Where am I? I'm so los' and I ca’ find ma home Come to dis park spoutin' foolishness I'm so los' and I ca’ find ma home Lotsa people cheer ma' foolishness I'm so los' and I ca’ find ma home Hey-oh, Hey-ey-ey-oh I'm so los' and I ca’ find ma home Hey, he say hey, he say hey, he say hey, Hey-oh, Hey-ey-ey-oh I'm so los' and I ca’ find ma home Come Mr. Taxi-man take me back to ma' place I'm so los' and I ca’ find ma home I got so'money you can take me back to ma' place I'm so los' and I ca’ find ma home Hey-oh, Hey-ey-ey-oh I'm so los' and I ca’ find ma home Hey, he say hey, he say hey, he say hey, Hey-oh, Hey-ey-ey-oh I'm so los' and I ca’ find ma home |
| Posted by: Ogeretla 2005 2005-08-12 13:37 |
| #21 Harry Belafonte, Dick Gregory, Television-Judge Greg Mathis. I mean really now. Who really cares what they say? Do they have any influence at all? And if so with who? Not to mention the "Voting Rights Act" Rally had little or nothing to do with voting rights. It was just an excuse for another Anti-(Fill in the blank) protest. The ADL and Wyman Institute should quit sounding the anti-Semitism bell at every off the cuff statement. It only weakens their cause and shines the light on these turds. |
| Posted by: DepotGuy 2005-08-12 10:53 |
| #20 "They're all going to laugh at you!" /Carrie White's mom |
| Posted by: BH 2005-08-12 10:37 |
| #19 Say, I didn't read any mention of Danny Glover attending the rally. Is he on location, or has he renounced the democratic party and become a Shining Path? |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2005-08-12 10:36 |
| #18 Belafonte is an ass, no question. However, it was rumored at the time that Heydrich (Head of SD), Robert Ley (Labor head) and Alfred Rosenberg (Nazi "philospher" if there could actually be such a thing) were partially Jewish. Field Marshall Erich Manstein, the Wehrmachts offensive operations genius on the Eastern front was also reportedly Jewish. Emphasis on the word rumored. If any of this is true, it points to the flaws of the individual and not the sterotypical assumptions of that tard Belafonte. |
| Posted by: JerseyMike 2005-08-12 10:18 |
| #17 "..Noting that his wife is of Russian-Jewish heritage.."SOME OF THE WORST ANTISEMITS ARE F---ING JEWS ONE WAY OR ANOTHER OR BOTH. |
| Posted by: anap 2005-08-12 10:05 |
| #16 same lies Farrakhan and his ilk spread. Ignoring Belafonte as he gets more and more senile with BDS won't make him go away. Attack him for this loudly and publicly. |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-08-12 10:04 |
| #15 It's more like Harry B stuck both his feet in his own butt. He should have stuck to his competent but mediocre singing rather than become an idiotic and nasty old crank. |
| Posted by: MunkarKat 2005-08-12 09:32 |
| #14 Just shut-up and sing. On second thought...just shut=up. |
| Posted by: anymouse 2005-08-12 09:29 |
| #13 Who is most hurt by this comment in the high school paper? Betty Sue was to exposed to be a mean and hurtful gossip by her commenting that the Prom Queen has a big butt? Gosh, up until now, I never thought the Prom Queen had a big butt - but, I guess it is a little bigger than it should be. |
| Posted by: anon 2005-08-12 09:20 |
| #12 The point I am trying to make is that we all know how dangerous and potent this particular lie is. Let's not help spread the lie and instead leave it at "Belafonte, has-been loser, shunned for anti-semetic comments". Keep the focus on Belafonte and keep the discussion away from advertising the original lie. Trust me on this one. Look at it this way - does it help or hurt Ted Kennedy to have discussions on the reasons why his drinking and womanizing should not matter if he can get legislation done? Answer - it does both. But I'm sure Ted understands he's better off if that discussion doesn't happen in the first place. |
| Posted by: 2b 2005-08-12 08:57 |
| #11 oops and RC |
| Posted by: 2b 2005-08-12 08:45 |
| #10 BA - I agree with the point that both you and BA are making - and you are talking about the other side of the coin. It's all in the presentation. There is a reason why the left never spoke or acknowledged the Swift Vets accusations and instead only focused on the accusers and then ran polls showing what "most people think". The focus was always and completely on the Swift Vets. No air time was given to the accusations themselves. They kept information that was dangerous to their candidates out of focus and put 100% focus on the Vets themselves. |
| Posted by: 2b 2005-08-12 08:42 |
| #9 Another example: Black guy my age here at work (former military, so that helps) is married, has kids, etc. He stumbles in on our lively "coffee club/political discussion group" often and I never will forget a discussion we had with him. When confronted about numerous social issues (not even the WoT), he agreed with us...abortion on demand, harder sentences on criminals, gay "rights", etc. One of the other guys in the club said to him, "Congratulations, you're a Conservative Republican." His face dropped! Since then, he's showed up daily, and he's amazed at how much we in the club know about what's going on in the world that he's never even heard of (much, to the influence of Rantburg, no less...and ignoring the MSM). You'll always have the community of "my parents voted Democrat, I've always voted Democrat, and that's just the way it is." But, my personal experience (and that's here in the South in Atlanta) is telling me the younger black generation (~35 and younger) didn't grow up with REAL racism, are experiencing greater wealth, are moving up in income brackets, and, thus, are moving TOWARD the Repub. party. It'll still take years to "de-indoctrinate" many, but moonbats like Belafonte are helping push them to the VRWC! |
| Posted by: BA 2005-08-12 08:42 |
| #8 "I, too, agree that Jews weren't 'high up.'" Yeah, Harry. I too think they were on the lower, labor intensive side of the Reich... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2005-08-12 08:42 |
| #7 I see you POV, 2b, but, personally I like to think that it (hopefully) is exposing a new generation to just how much of a moonbat-congregation the left is. Makes me think of a black lady I work with. She rides the bus home with me, and her husband picks her up at the bus stop. They are younger, married, black and he's always listening to Sean Hannity (oh, the horror) in the car when I walk past! I think the black community is starting to come around to the Repubs (especially as they move up the income ladder, and many of the younger generation are getting married and are more conservative than many whites I know), and moonbats like Belafonte (who?) speaking nonsense like this can only help the shift move faster, IMHO. |
| Posted by: BA 2005-08-12 08:34 |
| #6 I realize that complete and total moonbats have been able to get elected into congress because their antics were ignored by the press - to the point that the entire Democratic party is nothing BUT moonbats. It would be far better if the left was providing us with serious discussion about the balance of civil liberties v/s security and tax cuts than the loon parade we are witnessing now. |
| Posted by: 2b 2005-08-12 08:29 |
| #5 and furthermore, I never quite understand why the left so well understands how to ignore ideas but the right just doesn't get it. You realize that this difference has resulted in a left run by the moonbats and a right that does a decent job of exposing and expelling its moonbats, don't you? Which is healthier for society? |
| Posted by: Robert Crawford 2005-08-12 08:24 |
| #4 and furthermore, I never quite understand why the left so well understands how to ignore ideas but the right just doesn't get it. Look at the NYT and WAPO and the networks with the Food for Oil scandals, the Swift Vets and any other controversy - they just completely ignore it as long as they can and then when forced to acknowledge it, quickly change the focus as to why it's Bush's fault or Cheney's fault, etc - thus limiting the exposure of the accusation. The best way to handle this would be to note only that Belafonte apologized and quote people saying what a crackpot he is - how his record sales are slipping, what a has been he is and he has been shunned. Turn the focus onto anything else. But to repeat what he said and his defense of his comments only plays into the game. Don't play along. |
| Posted by: 2b 2005-08-12 08:14 |
| #3 I'm actually upset that his comments are making it to print and we should not take care to propagate them. There are two sides to this coin one is we are showing his actions are completely unacceptable but the other is that he is actually reintroducing another generation to a very potent lie. Don't doubt for one second that someone is reading his words, right here at rantburg, and thinking, yeeeah.... now that you mention it... Jews do claim a high and pure morality. That guy that interviewed me and didn't give me that job was jewish. That Belafonte is willing to defend his comments and hawk that book shows how far we have slipped. This is dangerous stuff and I'm really sorry to see we in this nation have stooped to this level. And for those who may be reading and be thinking.. yeeah... don't forget that Islam claims to be the pure religion and intends to kill you if you don't conform. And since Islamists are blowing up subways and crashing planes into buildings, maybe it would be best to focus your energies there. This is a dangerous conversation to be having. |
| Posted by: 2b 2005-08-12 08:04 |
| #2 "...Left foot, right foot, in my mouth- "Daylight come and I wan' go hooome..." Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2005-08-12 06:58 |
| #1 Please, just shut up already. What a dumbass! |
| Posted by: Dar 2005-08-12 06:57 |