Social activist and singer Harry Belafonte recently sat down with MSNBC to discuss the current issues current in Florida but he also took the time to address the recent misunderstanding between Jay Z and himself.
Last year, Belafonte expressed his thoughts on contemporary black Hollywood as well as his disappointment with celebrities and their lack of social responsibility. In the midst of his rant, Belafonte mentioned Beyonce and Jay Z as such high profile artists that do not use their celebrity status to influence others and spread social awareness.
“I think one of the great abuses of this modern time is that we should have had such high-profile artists, powerful celebrities. But they have turned their back on social responsibility,” said Belafonte in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “That goes for Jay-Z and Beyonce, for example. Give me Bruce Springsteen, and now you’re talking. I really think he is black.”
While his comments may have pushed other artists to step up and become more active in their community, Jay Z had a few words for the opinionated activist. “I’m offended by that because first of all, and this is going to sound arrogant, but my presence is charity,” the Magna Carta rapper said during an interview with “The Truth.” “You’re this Civil Rights activist and you just big’d up the white guy against me in the white media.”
The back and forth between the two stars may finally come to a halt after Belafonte’s conversation with MSNBC. He stressed the fact that his comments were not “a direct attack on Jay Z or Beyonce” and he even suggested having a sit down with the Carters to put an end to the conflict.
“…I would hope with all my heart that Jay Z would not take personally what was said because it was not said about him personally, he said.”My heart is filled with nothing but hope and the promise that we can sit and have a one on one and let’s understand each other…”
Source: MTV
