Harry Belafonte: Artist and Activist Still on the March
Belafonte said, “Artists have power, the largest power in the universe. The artist is a supreme being, and art is to define our humanity, to encourage.”
Belafonte said, “Artists have power, the largest power in the universe. The artist is a supreme being, and art is to define our humanity, to encourage.”
I believe that the central issue is one of power. These men who abuse little boys clearly enjoy the feeling of absolute power they have over them.
Girls Like Us presents a dual story thread. One is Lloyd’s personal narrative; the other is a primer on what trafficked American girls are up against.
When oppressive regimes clamp down on their citizens, freedom of expression—free speech—is always the first thing to go. Dictators have a lot to fear from individuals speaking up—through their writings, through art and film and music.
“Blood and Gifts,” a play by J.T. Rogers, creates a full overview of the issues and choices that were the precursors to our current situation in Afghanistan.
Tanaka told me that she had written the book to help others and to communicate the key message, “Pursue your joy with a sense of urgency. Live out full and fiercely today with no regrets.”
The documentary makes it clear that the people pushing back are up against very heavy hitters. This includes representatives from both political parties, lobbyists for varied interests, as well as the coal industry.
“Women, War & Peace” illustrates the power of women to challenge the male-dominated structure of the peacemaking process, formulating their own version of pushback.
The five stories encompass concerns that reflect the multitude of challenges facing a patient who has received a breast cancer diagnosis.
A consistent theme is the ambivalence of being caught between the desire to move forward and a need to stay connected to the past.