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Amid Race Flap, Lott Urged to Pull Out of Belafonte Award Dinner
CNSNEWS.com ^ | 10/10/02 | Marc Morano

Posted on 10/10/2002 2:48:39 AM PDT by kattracks

CNSNews.com) - Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) is being urged to "pull out" of an Oct. 24 award dinner honoring entertainer/activist Harry Belafonte, following the singer's comparison of Secretary of State Colin Powell to a house "slave."

Lott is listed as a "National Honorary Patron" along with Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) for the Washington event sponsored by the non-profit relief group Africare.

Condoleezza Rice, the assistant to the president for national security affairs, was initially scheduled to be the keynote speaker for the Africare Bishop John T. Walker Memorial Dinner honoring Belafonte, but is no longer listed because of "scheduling conflicts." Rice and Powell are African Americans, as is Belafonte.

Lott's participation in the Belafonte event is drawing criticism because of Belafonte's reference to Powell during a Tuesday interview with KFMB San Diego radio host Ted Leitner.

"Colin Powell's committed to come into the house of the master," Belafonte told Leitner. "When Colin Powell dares to suggest something other than what the master wants to hear, he will be turned back out to pasture.

"In the days of slavery, there were those slaves who lived on the plantation and were those slaves that lived in the house. You got the privilege of living in the house if you served the master ... exactly the way the master intended you to serve him," Belafonte added.

Niger Innis of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), a conservative African American civil rights group, told CNSNews.com that Lott must make sure everyone knows he is withdrawing from the dinner.

"I mean publicly, not privately, not quietly, not through an e-mail. [Lott] needs to be outraged," Innis said.

Innis is angry that Belafonte would denigrate the life and career of Powell, saying the singer represents "selfish ideological interests ... that do a disservice to the people they pretend to speak for."

"For years, Belafonte and the civil rights movement have been pushing for Black Americans to get the opportunity to serve their country in a variety of ways and now you have a distinguished general and now secretary of state that is blazing his own path. It's a disgrace what Belafonte is saying," Innis said.

Lott's office did not return repeated requests for comment on Wednesday.

Innis said he would not be surprised if Lott refused to take a stand.

"We are tired of [Lott] being in the wrong place at the wrong time and this is the wrong place at the wrong time. He needs to pull out [as National Honorary Patron]," Innis said.

Rice No Longer the Keynoter?

Condoleezza Rice was originally scheduled to be the keynote speaker at the Africare Belafonte dinner, but she is no longer listed, according to the group's website. Africare's spokeswoman Libba Conger told CNSNews.com, "[Rice] hasn't been the keynoter for quite some time."

Conger cited "scheduling problems" as the reason for Rice not giving the keynote address. Conger emphatically denied that Belafonte or his political views contributed to Rice not appearing at the award dinner and said the new keynoter was scheduled to be former Atlanta Democratic Mayor Andrew Young.

But a spokeswoman for Young at his office at Good Works International said she was unaware of Young being the keynote speaker for the event and only had him scheduled to attend the dinner. Africare's website does not currently list a keynote speaker for the awards dinner. But another website, promoting Belefonte's life and career, still lists Rice as the keynoter.
Further confusing matters, a spokesperson for Rice told CNSNews.com that Rice was never scheduled to be the keynoter at the Belafonte dinner, but had received an invitation.

Powell served as the keynote speaker for last year's Africare Awards dinner honoring Louis W. Sullivan, former secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during the previous Bush administration.

Asked if Belafonte's comments regarding Powell would impact Lott's serving as the National Honorary Patron, Conger replied, "I imagine there will be no impact whatsoever."

Innis thinks it's a shame that Powell was compared to a slave and Rice is no longer scheduled to speak at the Africare dinner. "This administration has put forward two Black Americans that have had more influence in American policy than any others in the history of our country," Innis said.

E-mail a news tip to Scott Hogenson.

Send a Letter to the Editor about this article.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events; US: Mississippi
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1 posted on 10/10/2002 2:48:40 AM PDT by kattracks
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To: kattracks
I would hope Colin and Laura and GWB wouldn't show up either, and Condi too....

This louse said vile things and he needs to know you are responsible for what you say....

2 posted on 10/10/2002 2:53:05 AM PDT by The Wizard
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To: The Wizard
"Colin Powell's committed to come into the house of the master," Belafonte told Leitner. "When Colin Powell dares to suggest something other than what the master wants to hear, he will be turned back out to pasture.

I believe Belafonte performs for largely white audiences, singing the calypso tunes his audiences have come to expect and enjoy. I would imagine that if Belafonte suddenly decided to sing protest songs, or songs with strong racial overtones, (something other than what the master wants to hear ?), his audiences would diminish. and he would "be turned out to pasture". So, according to his own definition, doesn't this also make him a "house slave"?

3 posted on 10/10/2002 3:02:40 AM PDT by kattracks
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To: kattracks
This goes to show that to be black in America you have to be of a single will and mindset. There is no room for differing voices,opinions or political persuasions.You march in lockstep or your not one of us. This is where the Democrat Party has led Black America. It is about partisan politics and dividing a country along political lines nothing more,nothing less. In America there is no overall goal for what is best for all Americans we have our own little kingdoms.We are no longer Americans first and foremost we are hyphenated Americans and that is what will bring us to our knees.
4 posted on 10/10/2002 3:19:33 AM PDT by gunnedah
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To: kattracks
It's time to quit playing "nice" IMO. Belefonte and his ilk should be confronted as bigots. Why should we worry about being "polite" or "respectful" when we confront enemies of this nation?
5 posted on 10/10/2002 3:29:10 AM PDT by Lion's Cub
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To: kattracks
Niger Innis...I am offended by this name. If the mother of a school girl can object to niggardly I object to Niger. No matter the meaning or pronunciation it sort of kind of looks like it might could be offensive.
6 posted on 10/10/2002 3:31:12 AM PDT by RWG
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To: kattracks
I like Belafonte as a performer. But it is a shame how hard-left and imprisoned in racialism his thinking is. Do you think he is trying to "compensate" for his white audiences by attacking a black man? Sad, sad, and stupid.
7 posted on 10/10/2002 3:53:49 AM PDT by noirgirl
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To: kattracks
If Trent Lott has a spine he won't go...

Well, in that case Trent, have the beef...

8 posted on 10/10/2002 4:01:04 AM PDT by Corin Stormhands
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To: gunnedah
We are no longer Americans first and foremost we are hyphenated Americans and that is what will bring us to our knees.

Unfortunately it's already done that, or kept African-Americans there. Why so many people just can't (or won't) see that conservatism, pushing individual personal responsibility, and taking charge of one's OWN life instead of just taking another round of handouts from the liberal sugar daddies, will bring people up to their FEET, is beyond me.

9 posted on 10/10/2002 4:14:59 AM PDT by john in missouri
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To: gunnedah
This goes to show that to be black in America you have to be of a single will and mindset. There is no room for differing voices,opinions or political persuasions.You march in lockstep or your not one of us. This is where the Democrat Party has led Black America. It is about partisan politics and dividing a country along political lines nothing more,nothing less. In America there is no overall goal for what is best for all Americans we have our own little kingdoms.We are no longer Americans first and foremost we are hyphenated Americans and that is what will bring us to our knees.

WELL SAID!! With your permission, I would like to send this to the NAACP.

10 posted on 10/10/2002 4:17:34 AM PDT by Elkiejg
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To: kattracks
I'm not sure which is the more ridiculous, wondering if Lott will still attend or assuming that Belafonte's remarks would have no impact on Lott's attending. There should be no qestion at all, no Lott won't attend and yes, it was due to Belafont's running off at the mouth.
11 posted on 10/10/2002 4:20:47 AM PDT by Non-Sequitur
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To: Elkiejg
Well, if Condi was going to be a keynoter, she won't be now.

Alma Powell comes from Old Birmingham's black elite, just like Condi's family did. The Powells and Rice are very close. If she was going to appear, this "house ni&&er" insult made it impossible for her to attend.

Powell's restrained reaction was unfortunate. Belafonte is left looking like the the left wing ass that he is.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

12 posted on 10/10/2002 4:24:02 AM PDT by section9
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To: section9
Powell's restrained reaction was unfortunate.

I respectfully disagree. Powell's restraint was in keeping with his reputation. Why should he have stooped to Belafonte's level? Limbaugh did that enough yesterday.

13 posted on 10/10/2002 4:27:36 AM PDT by Non-Sequitur
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To: Corin Stormhands
LOL. Lott strikes me as a low-sodium vegetarian meal kind of guy.
14 posted on 10/10/2002 4:49:12 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
Harry Belafonte? I thought he was dead!
15 posted on 10/10/2002 5:17:06 AM PDT by larry h
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To: kattracks
Send Senator Lott an e-mail encouraging him not to attend this event at senatorlott@lott.senate.gov.
16 posted on 10/10/2002 5:30:46 AM PDT by VaMarVet
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To: Non-Sequitur
I respectfully disagree. Powell's restraint was in keeping with his reputation. Why should he have stooped to Belafonte's level? Limbaugh did that enough yesterday.

Actually, I agree with you. I wrote "unfortunate" instead of "fortunate", as I intended to. I agree with Powell's response, and I agree with your analysis as well.

However, I must disagree with you on one thing: Limbaugh's piling on was dead on. Belafonte played the race card and deserved all the opprobrium he could get.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

17 posted on 10/10/2002 5:42:33 AM PDT by section9
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To: kattracks
You got the privilege of living in the house if you served the master ... exactly the way the master intended you to serve him

Wait a minute! Isn't that EXACTLY what the ENTERTAINMENT business is all about!!!! If you don't perform as people desired and give people what they want, you don't eat!

Not surprising he wasn't clever enough to realize this:

Colin Powell - Attended the City College of New York (CCNY), where he earned a bachelor's degree in geology. He also participated in ROTC at CCNY and received a commission as an army second lieutenant upon graduation in June 1958. His further academic achievements include a Master of Business Administration degree from George Washington University. Recipient of numerous U.S. military awards and decorations including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart.

Harry Belafonte - High School Dropout
18 posted on 10/10/2002 5:44:36 AM PDT by itzmygun
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To: itzmygun
A note on this. I was looking up these biographies and decided to look up the bio on Condoleezza. It's incredible!

May the liberal press burn in hades. It's just plain evil that they have not served her up as a role model for young blacks. If she was a Democrat, they would be slobbering all over themselves to interview her.

I don't care whose books your readin'- that deserves punishment.
19 posted on 10/10/2002 5:59:33 AM PDT by itzmygun
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To: section9
Yeah Belafonte played the race card for all it was worth and denigrated Powell's career and achievements. But like I said I hate seeing anyone stoop to that same level, even Limbaugh and even with provocation. We should be better than they are.
20 posted on 10/10/2002 5:59:38 AM PDT by Non-Sequitur
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