Beyonce Responds to Harry Belafonte Saying She Doesn’t Give Back Enough

The Knowles and Carter camp have caught wind of a recent interview with Harry Belafonte, who suggested Beyonce nor Jay-Z are as socially responsible as they should be. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Belafonte said:

“It is sad. And 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. That goes for Jay-Z and Beyonce, for example. Give me Bruce Springsteen, and now you’re talking. I really think he is black.”

Beyonce’s camp sent a response to the Wall Street Journal, calling it an “An abbreviated list of the unselfish work Beyoncé has done and continues to do.”

According to the site, The list included:

co-founding The Survivor Foundation “a multi-purpose community outreach facility in downtown Houston”; donating “100K in 2008 to the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund to aid Texas victims of Hurricane Ike”; performing in “MTV’s Hope For Haiti Now! Benefit in addition to making a generous monetary donation,” among many other charitable activities.

What do you think of Beyonce actually responding to Belafonte’s criticism? Was it necessary or absolutely appropriate? [Photo: The Grio]

There are 6 comments for this article
  1. Yosh at 1:29 pm

    Responding (IMO) is an admission of guilt in some way. Why goes as far as releasing a list of things you’ve done? We see the things she does, then we dont. The things we dont see, why boast about them. Wanting publicity for charity work is something I dont see Bey wanting. We don’t truly know when these celebs are doing with their money. Although I respect Bellafonte’s views, they are from a time when “giving back” was needed because of all the social issue going on then. Times have changed and although we have make strides in change, it is not the responsibility of celebs to save the world. Who is ANYBODY to measure the contributions of others?

  2. Ron Mexico at 1:29 pm

    Old black men are funny they think cuz THEY marched wit MLK they did more than a younger person who wasnt even around wit MLK…He’s been on earth longer so he has had more opportunity to get onvolved but Harry instead of worryon about what JAY n BEY do worry about STAYON YO OLD ASS AWAKE DURING INTERVIEW….NOW DAYO DAT!!!

  3. Resa at 1:39 pm

    If the majority of us regular folks would up 5-10% of the little we have and volunteer our time to charitable causes on a regular basis, we’d have much more impact than a handful of “celebs” could ever have. Looking to celebs is not the answer.

  4. BlaykeMenchacah at 8:51 pm

    Not guilt….because she DOES HER PART….. I do feel it necessary when some one is loud and wrong about your giving back. Is it ever enough though? Folks stay with the crap and odd made up urban myths abuout her….she laughs that off….but this is an issue she feels is important, so addressing was key….

  5. BklynFemme at 7:11 am

    It seems that she doesn’t give enough. Really, a free concert? One can’t eat or clothe himself w/a concert. However, who is to say that it is mandatory…maybe Jay n Bey wants to be selfish :/

  6. kris at 10:00 am

    to whom much is given much is required

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