But, dont think this is a new missive, nor is it about ME.
Occasionally, Im even asked to participate.
Very excited about that.
“Greatest Night in Pop,” peforminger recording “We are the World” in 1985, and Harry FelafonteNetflix/Getty Images
But this award season is interesting because of the union strikes.
And now that we have a great contract, were scrambling to get back on track.
Award shows are part of that startup.
Harry Belafonte in the studio circa 1957Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images
Anticipatory, to say the least.
The talent was boundless.
The acceptance speeches, from the heart.
Then came the In Memoriam segment that I know SO many of us were preparing the tissue box for.
So many talented, wonderful people left us this past year.
But to me, the standout obviously would be my father, Harry Belafonte.
There have been numerous homages made to Harry sincehis passing in April of last year.
There will be many more.
But the one you would immediately imagine to be grand wouldve been the one the Grammys would have done.
And yet, a two-second picture of him on the screen was all that was allotted.
Now dont get me wrong.
And Im not just saying that because he was my father.
Harry Belafonte was the very FIRST recipient of ANY color to receive a Platinum record.
He was the very FIRST Black man to win an Emmy.
He proceeded with who he wanted to participate.
Madonnas name came up first.
Now, I thought, Theyre both wacko.
We finished dinner and went over to Lionel Richies house.
His Presidential Medal of the Arts award and his Legion of Honor award from France should confirm that.
But he was sadly overlooked … as so many people of color still are.
