Harry Belafonte Reflects on Working Toward Peace
Midway
through the Civil Rights movement, Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr. realized that the struggle for integration would ultimately
become a struggle for economic rights. I remember the last
time we were together, at my home, shortly before he was
murdered. He seemed quite agitated and preoccupied, and
I asked him what the problem was. "I've come upon something
that disturbs me deeply," he said. "We have fought
hard and long for integration, as I believe we should have,
and I know that we will win. But I've come to believe we're
integrating into a burning house."
That statement took me aback. It was the last thing I would
have expected to hear, considering the nature of our struggle,
and I asked him what he meant. "I'm afraid that America
may be losing what moral vision she may have had,"
he answered. "And I'm afraid that even as we integrate,
we are walking into a place that does not understand that
this nation needs to be deeply concerned with the plight
of the poor and disenfranchised. Until we commit ourselves
to ensuring that the underclass is given justice and opportunity,
we will continue to perpetuate the anger and violence that
tears at the soul of this nation."
I would like to see black America honestly examine where
we are at this point in history. We must stop relying on
Democrats or Republicans or institutions that oppress us,
and take responsibility for ourselves. Whenever we've stepped
out to assume responsibility for our future, we've succeeded
in our mission. White America didn't give us the gains we've
made. Through various movements we went out and fought for
our liberation and made ourselves a better people, and the
world a better place. I am far from disillusioned. Deep
in my soul, I know there are more Rosa Parks, more Dr. Kings,
and more Ella Bakers ready to emerge. Perhaps we are the
firefighters who can save the burning house. Martin would
have embraced such a thought.
Biography
Resources for Teachers and Students