January 12, 2006
Thursday

With respect to Harry Belafonte's comments about George Bush, and the great pluralistic (read socialist) state Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is trying to create, I can only repeat the words of that great Negro "spiritual" we've heard a thousand times on United Negro College Fund commercials, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."

I would burn all of my Harry Belafonte records, but I don't own any. Besides, most Americans under the age of 50 probably think Winona Rider sang "Day-O" (Beetlejuice 1998).

Harry needs to stop worrying about Venezuela and refocus his efforts on helping the African-American community here in the United States. Why even Chavez ignored the needs of our predominantly African-American inner-city neighborhoods and instead offered discount heating oil to ease the suffering of the Kennedy and Kerry families.

Oh, and Harry, remember who made the ultimate sacrifice that allowed you to live to the ripe old age of 78 in a democratic society and earn and keep the millions you made in the entertainment business - black and white soldiers, sailors, and airmen, not Venezuelans.

Yes, African-Americans got a raw deal here in the United States, and they still haven't achieved full equality with whites, but we've made more progress here than they have in Africa, or Venezuela, and in a shorter time.

On the Web:

At The Closing Of The Year By Bob Ciminel
January 12, 2006

Things We Learn From Movies By Bob Ciminel
January 12, 2006

More Columns By Bob Ciminel

Bob lives in Roswell, Georgia, and works for the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations.  He is also a conductor on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.


ciminel@sitnews.us

 

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