“A tree is best measured when it is down,” the poet Carl Sandburg once observed, “and so it is with people.” The recent death of Harry Belafonte at the age of 96 has prompted many assessments of what this pioneering singer-actor-activist accomplished in a long and fruitful life.
Belafonte’s career as a ground-breaking entertainer brought him substantial wealth and fame; according to Playbill magazine, “By 1959, he was the highest paid Black entertainer in the industry, appearing in raucously successful engagements in Las Vegas, New York, and Los Angeles.” He scored on Broadway, winning a 1954 Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Musical – John Murray Anderson's Almanac. Belafonte was the first Black person to win the prestigious award. A 1960 television special, “Tonight with Belafonte,” brought him an Emmy for Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Musical Program or Series, making him the first Black person to win that award. He found equal success in the recording studio, bringing Calypso music to the masses via such hits as “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” and “Jamaica Farewell.”
Harry Belafonte - Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) (Live)www.youtube.com
Belafonte’s blockbuster stardom is all the more remarkable for happening in a world plagued by virulent systemic racism. Though he never stopped performing, by the early 1960s he’d shifted his energies to the nascent Civil Right movement. He was a friend and adviser to the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. and, as the New York Times stated, Belafonte “put up much of the seed money to help start the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and was one of the principal fund-raisers for that organization and Dr. King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference.”
The Southern Poverty Law Center notes that “he helped launch one of Mississippi’s first voter registration drives and provided funding for the Freedom Riders. His activism extended beyond the U.S. as he fought against apartheid alongside Nelson Mandela and Miriam Makeba, campaigned for Mandela’s release from prison, and advocated for famine relief in Africa.” And in 1987, he received an appointment to UNICEF as a goodwill ambassador.
Over a career spanning more than seventy years, Belafonte brought joy to millions of people. He also did something that is, perhaps, even greater: he fostered the hope that a better world for all could be created. And, by his example, demonstrated how we might go about bringing that world into existence.
Why I Love MILLI ROSE Makeup
Since I became a mom, I've stopped doing some of the things I used to love.
Like most moms, I rarely get time to dress up and do nice makeup anymore. I realized recently that I hadn't put eye makeup on in almost a month! I was in a serious rut and wasn't feeling great about myself, so I decided it was time to get back into makeup again.
I was having a virtual coffee with a fellow mom on Facetime, who somehow always has the nicest makeup - this day she had the nicest nude lipstick and smudged liner. I asked her what her secret was and she said she was wearing a brand called MILLI ROSE- she said the liner was actually eyeshadow from the MILLI ROSE Natural Modern Nudes Palette.
She said she ordered it online and couldn't recommend it enough. I was a bit apprehensive about ordering makeup online, but I could tell by looking at my friend it was great quality.
That night when I got home I went on the MILLI ROSE website. The first thing I noticed was the gorgeous palettes. It had been so long since I had bought myself a new eyeshadow, I never go out and shop for myself anymore. A new palette was well overdue, and having it delivered straight to my doorstep would be super convenient. I kept browsing and saw that there were so many nice shades of lipsticks and glosses, too
I was pleasantly surprised by how affordable all of their products are. I read that all their products are tested by dermatologists so they suit all skin types, plus they're not tested on animals. With that, I decided I'd bite the bullet and get the Natural Modern Nudes kit.
The kit was only $68 for 12 eyeshadows and 3 nude lipsticks -I love that they were going to be already matched for me because I never knew what lip colors to match with eye colors. With this kit, I knew everything would look good together. I also got the Lash Play Multi-tasking Mascara - it has 4 different brush heads in one! I was so excited to try it all.
When my delivery arrived I felt like a kid on Christmas day. I opened up the box and the first thing I noticed was how pretty the packaging is. The palette had a stunning floral design - it'll look great on my vanity table.
The next day I decided to do a nude smokey-eye look. I kept it simple, I blended the shade 'Sahara' all over my lid and put the shade 'Chestnut' in my crease and blended. I applied some of the Multitasking mascara in the first mode for a subtle look.
I was so happy with how the look came out - it was a great daytime natural look. The following evening I experimented with some of the darker shades from the palette, and used the fourth mode on the mascara to create a classy smokey eye. I applied the Modern Nudes Yoyo Lipstick for a nude lip. My husband complimented my look when he saw me, and he never usually notices anything like that.
The thing I love most about MILLI ROSE makeup is the versatility of it. There are so many looks that can be created from just 12 shades. And I've never had a mascara with four modes before, it's great for any occasion.
I loved it so much, I decided to order the Modern Glam Palette too, which has some more striking colors. I'm feeling more confident to try more colors after practicing and seeing how easy the Modern Nudes Palette is to use. I'm looking forward to the next special occasion, so I can showcase a glam eye look.
I'd recommend MILLI ROSE to anyone who needs to get out of a funk like I did or is looking for some inspiration for some new looks.
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