Handsome and a Hero
Women of my mother’s generation had a feeling for this man…it was called a crush. I can remember my mother listening to the song at the end of this blog, and dancing as if Harry was in the room. I think she said something like “no man should be that good looking.”
One of the first African American men to take Hollywood by storm, he was also a pioneer. There were no so-called roles for men of color in those years….but Harry kept singing and dancing on Broadway and the rest, as they say is history.
He wasn’t, however, content to just be a trail blazer for the film industry. He also chose the road of civil rights- working closely with Dr. Martin Luther King. In fact, Coretta said that Harry frequently inspired Dr. King to keep going and financially supported him for some time. Alongside another great pioneer, Sidney Poitier, they worked tirelessly for voter rights and registrations and encouraged hope and possibility through their very diverse and successful careers.
Harry also protested for Nelson Mandela and celebrated the journey he witnessed in his lifetime…from Dr. King to President Obama.
I know really nothing of being the first and perhaps unwelcome face in the room – I know nothing of being the only white face in any room- and I certainly know nothing of the courage it took to come out from the crowd, amidst protest objection and live your own dream.
Although this is a very old recording, you can hear the unbelievable power and clarity of this voice – a voice for change and transformation – a hero’s voice. We will miss you Harry – Thank you for all you did and gave us – a legacy of talent and character.
