Remembering Harry Belafonte
Ask students: What are some of the causes Belafonte championed during his lifetime? When did Belafonte’s activism start, according to his interviews in this story?
Harry Belafonte, a giant in the world of performance and activism, died Tuesday at 95. President Biden said Belafonte was “A groundbreaking American who used his talent, his fame and his voice to help redeem the soul of our nation.” We take a look at the breadth and impact of his life.
For a transcript of the story, click here.
Discussion Questions
- Who is Harry Belafonte and where was he born?
- What are some of the causes Belafonte championed during his lifetime?
- When did Belafonte’s activism start, according to his interviews in this story?
- Why did Belafonte become an artist and then activist, according to his interviews in this story?
- How did Belafonte break new ground as an artist and entertainer?
Focus Questions
What do you think is the most important part of Harry Belafonte’s legacy based on this story?
Media Literacy: How do you think producers and news writers choose which aspects of a life like that of Belafonte’s they want to highlight in a remembrance like this one?
Extension Activity
Learn more about Belafonte’s life here. As a classroom, watch the two interviews Belafonte conducted during his week of hosting the Tonight Show in 1968. As a class, discuss: Who are the two individuals he interviews, and what were their roles in 1968? What issues that they discuss are still relevant today?
Civil Rights Movement
The Share My Lesson team has highlighted free lesson plans, activities and classroom materials that you can use to teach your students about the Civil Rights Movement from the March on Washington to the 1965 Voting Rights Act to the Gay Liberation Movement.
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
PBS NewsHour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories.
