Carolyn Bryant Donham Dies at 88: Her Words Cause the Death of Emmett Till and sparked a new Civil Rights Movement
She said Till, 14, had accosted her, and her testimony in the 1955 trial of her husband and his half brother was crucial in their acquittal in one of the most momentous murders in American history.
Carolyn Bryant with her husband, Roy Bryant, and their children during his trial in 1955. Credit...Ed Clark/The LIFE Picture Collection, via Shutterstock
Only two people knew exactly what happened during the minute they were alone together in the general store in Money, Miss., on Aug. 24, 1955. One, Emmett Till, a Black teenager visiting from Chicago, died four days later, at 14, in a brutal murder that stands out even in America’s long history of racial injustice.
The other was Carolyn Bryant. She was the 21-year-old white proprietress of the store where, according to her testimony in the September 1955 trial of her husband and his half brother for the murder, Till made a sexually suggestive remark to her, grabbed her roughly by the waist and let loose a wolf whistle.
Now Mrs. Bryant, more recently known as Carolyn Bryant Donham, has died at 88. On Thursday, Megan LeBoeuf, the chief investigator for the Calcasieu Parish coroner’s office in Louisiana, sent a statement confirming the death, on Tuesday, in Westlake, a small city in southern Louisiana. Ms. LeBoeuf did not provide further information.
With Mrs. Bryant’s death, the truth of what happened that August day may now never be clear. More than half a century after the murder, she admitted that she had perjured herself on the witness stand to make Till’s conduct sound more threatening than it actually was — serving, in the words of the historian to whom she made the admission, as “the mouthpiece of a monstrous lie.”
Harry Belafonte's son shares heartfelt tribute after his death: 'To the world he was a legend, but to us he was Dad'
Story by Today
Written by Gina Vivinetto
Harry Belafonte's son, David Belafonte, is paying tribute to the late entertainment legend and civil rights activist.
"It is with a heavy heart that we have said goodbye to our beloved dad, father-in-law, and grandpa, the beyond amazing Harry Belafonte," the younger Belafonte said in a statement to TODAY.
The grieving son went on to say that he and his wife, Malena, and their two children, Amadeus and Sarafina, were heartbroken over the groundbreaking singer and actor's passing.
"To the world he was a legend, but to us he was Dad, Harry, Farfar — which means Grandpa in Danish — and he will always mean the world to us. We are heartbroken to have lost such a big presence in our lives and we will honor him in everything we do," the family said.
"His legacy is passed on to his four children, Adrienne, Shari, David, and Gina, as well as his five grandchildren, Rachel Blue, Brian, Maria, Sarafina, and Amadeus, all of whom he was so incredibly proud of," the statement continued.
The family noted that Harry Belafonte also leaves behind his "third and current" wife, Pamela, as well as his ex-wife Julie, whom they jokingly called the singer's "sparring partner for 50+ years and the mother of his youngest children David and Gina."
The family concluded by writing, "We will miss him terribly!"
Harry Belafonte died of heart failure on April at his home in New York City, with his wife, Pamela, by his side, his spokesperson confirmed to NBC News. He was 96.
Belafonte was famous for popularizing the calypso style of music with his groundbreaking 1956 album, “Calypso,” which featured the hits “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” and “Jamaica Farewell."
Throughout his career, Belafonte earned two Grammy Awards and a Tony Award for best actor in a featured role in a musical for “John Murray Anderson’s Almanac” in 1954. The first Black producer in television, Belafonte also earned an Emmy Award in 1960 for his special “Tonight with Belafonte.”
He obtained much-coveted EGOT status in 2015, when he was honored with a Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Academy Awards.
Belafonte was also a longtime civil rights activist and a close friend and confidante of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., helping King organize the 1963 March on Washington.
In addition to son David and daughter Gina, Belafonte shared two daughters, Adrienne Biesemeyer and actor Shari Belafonte, with his first wife, Marguerite Byrd, whom he was married to from 1948 until 1957.
Reps for the "Jump in the Line" performer confirmed his death in a press release, writing that Belafonte died of "congestive heart failure at his New York home at the age of 96, his wife Pamela by his side."
The New York native notably brought Calypso music to the masses through hit songs including "The Banana Boat Song," "Jump in the Line" and "Jamaica Farewell," among others.
Throughout his career, Belafonte earned three Grammy Awards, a Tony Award and an Emmy Award. He received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1989, was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1994 and became the oldest living person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
Belafonte was also known for his work during the Civil Rights Movement, during which he became close with Martin Luther King Jr. He also advocated for causes including the Anti-Apartheid Movement and USA for Africa and was a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador from 1987 through his death.
Shortly following the news of his death, fellow entertainers and peers paid tribute to Belafonte on social media.
Bernice King took to Twitter to express her admiration for the singer and speak about their relationship. "When I was a child, #HarryBelafonte showed up for my family in very compassionate ways. In fact, he paid for the babysitter for me and my siblings," wrote the youngest child of Martin Luther and Coretta Scott King.
"He mourned with my mother at the funeral service for my father at Morehouse College. I won't forget…Rest well, sir," concluded her tweet.
Speaking onstage at the TIME100 Summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City shortly after news broke of Belafonte's death on Tuesday, John Legend paid tribute to the icon. "We just have to thank god that we had Harry Belafonte for 96 years," he began.
"He inspired me so much personally. He became a friend of mine in the last 10 years or so, we spent some private time together. I learned at his feet basically, about all the great work he's done over the years," continued the "All of Me" performer. "If you think about what it means to be an artist and an activist, he was literally the epitome of what that was, and I don't know if people know how much he did."
CHRISTOPHER POLK/E! ENTERTAINMENT/NBCU PHOTO BANK/NBCUNIVERSAL
Legend added that Belafonte was "so gifted as an artist, as a performer but used his platform in almost a subversive way because he would sneak messages in there, revolutionary messages."
"When people thought he was just singing about good times in the islands, he was always like infusing messages of protest and revolution in everything he did, and not only that, but he used his resources," Legend said. "He's one of the most successful artists of his time — he used those resources to fund the civil rights movement."
"Harry Belafonte, a Trailblazer and Hero to us all," continued Winfrey. "Thank you for your music, your artistry, your activism, your fight for civil rights and justice—especially risking your life back in the day to get money to the movement. Your being here on Earth has Blessed us all."
Reverend Al Sharpton took to the social media platform and reminisced on their time together. "I'm heartbroken at hearing of the death of Harry Belafonte, a true mentor & friend. I cherished the time he would give me & others to guide us & correct us," he wrote. "He was a history changing activist, a culture changing entertainer, & an unmatched intellectual. RIP & Power, Mr. B."
Tiffany Haddish to Instagram alongside a heartfelt message. "Rest in peace King Harry Belafonte. I am so honored and Grateful that I got to sit at your feet and learn from you," she wrote.
Jamie Lee Curtis to Instagram, penned a caption admiring his work. "Artists uniting to use their art form to make transformational change in the world through music and movies and books, and poetry and paintings and photography and is one of the great benefits to living a public life," she wrote. "Harry Belafonte exemplified this and utilized every aspect of his immeasurable talent, applying it specifically to the plight of other human beings and their civil rights."
The actress continued, "I am happy that my parents both participated in a little of that work, and that they combined their talents for the inauguration of President Kennedy in 1961 and that they broke at least one barrier/restriction when they appeared together for the first time on a magazine cover. Rest in great POWER Mr. Belafonte."
Former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner shared a quote from the performer on Twitter. "'I was an activist who became an artist, I was not an artist who became an activist.' - Harry Belafonte," she wrote. "Rest In Peace."
Mia Farrow took to Twitter writing, "We have lost the great Harry Belafonte-beautiful singer, brilliant and brave civil rights activist, a deeply moral and caring man. Miss you already Harry."
Philosopher and activist Cornel West shared to Twitter and wrote, "I am deeply sad at the loss of my very dear brother - the great Harry Belafonte! His artistic genius, moral courage & loving soul shall live forever! God bless his precious family!"
Apple CEO Tim Cook Tweeted alongside the caption, "The world has lost a true giant today. Harry Belafonte was a barrier breaker who helped reshape our world through his civil rights advocacy, his music, and his acting. May he rest in peace."
Parliament-Funkadelic bassist Bootsy Collins Tweeted, "Another brick in our fabric has risen, Mr. Harry Belafonte; 3-1-1927 – 4-25-2023) was an American singer, activist, and actor. His breakthrough album Calypso (1956) was the first million-selling LP by a single artist. Best known for 'The Banana Boat Song'. R.I.P."
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders tweeted, "Harry Belafonte was not only a great entertainer, but he was a courageous leader in the fight against racism and worker oppression. Jane and I were privileged to consider him a friend and will miss him very much."
California Congresswoman Maxine Waters shared a heartfelt message to Twitter, writing, "Another superstar has just passed. My dear friend, Harry Belafonte, was an extraordinarily talented singer and performer. More than that, he was a civil rights activist who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King and worked with President Nelson Mandela to end Apartheid in South Africa. We will all miss his wisdom, his advice, and his huge giving spirit."
Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder shared a statement to his Twitter account, calling Belafonte "a proud, uncompromising Black man [who] helped to change the world."
"He could have been content to being merely a 'star.' He was certainly that. But he used the power his artistic gifts gave him to make better the lives of those too often forgotten or too often oppressed," he continued. "His was a consequential life."
Holder added, "I treasure the fact that I got to know him. I am indebted to him for the opportunities he made possible for me. I loved him for being an example of what pride in self entailed."
"The world has lost a great man. My thoughts are with the Belafonte family. Thank you for sharing this icon with us," wrote Holder. "I will remember him always."
Tennessee House has only expelled 2 state representatives in more than 150 years
Story by CNN
Written by Elizabeth Wolfe and Raja Razek
The expulsion of Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson from the Tennessee House was a rare move. The House has only expelled two state representatives in the last 157 years.
The first expulsion, in 1980, was of a representative found guilty of accepting a bribe while in office, and the most recent came in 2016 when another member was expelled over allegations of sexual harassment.
Democratic Rep. Joe Towns called the move a “nuclear option.”
“You never use a sledgehammer to kill a gnat,” Towns said. “We should not go to the extreme of expelling our members for fighting for what many of the citizens want to happen, whether you agree with it or not.”
The executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, Kathy Sinback, called the move in a statement a “targeted expulsion of two Black legislators without due process.”
“It raises questions about the disparate treatment of Black representatives, while continuing the shameful legacy of disenfranchising and silencing the voices of marginalized communities and the Black lawmakers they elect,” Sinback added.
Pearson says demonstration in House to highlight lack of action on gun control was justified
From CNN's Amir Vera
Expelled State Rep. Justin Pearson delivers remarks outside the state Capitol on Monday, April 10, in Nashville. (George Walker IV/AP)
Former Rep. Justin Pearson said he celebrated the fact that his colleague, Rep. Justin Jones, was reinstated Monday while also understanding another mass shooting had just taken place in Kentucky, not even a month after six people were gunned down in Nashville.
“It is multiple emotions — celebration and of the determination of the people who want to see justice happen with Rep. Jones being reseated and there’s also a painful moment of recognition that our legislators and people like (Speaker of the House) Cameron Sexton and the Republican party in Tennessee and across the South in this country are not doing nearly enough to prevent guns from getting in the hands of people and doing all the holistic work of gun prevention that is necessary in places across our communities,” Pearson told CNN on Monday.
Pearson and Jones were expelled from the Tennessee House of Representatives on Thursday after the two of them and Rep. Gloria Johnson staged a demonstration on the House floorcalling for gun reform and leading chants with a bullhorn.
The chairman of the Shelby County Board of Commissioners has called a special meeting for Wednesday to consider reappointing Pearson to his former seat.
If reinstated, Pearson didn't directly answer if he'd break the rules of decorum again. Instead, he responded: "Sometimes rules have to be broken for people who have been pushed to the periphery to be brought to the center of the conversation."
“I believe that our actions were wholly justified in that even though we broke a rule of decorum, we stood up and we spoke for people who needed us to speak for them. … I believe what we did was right and it was for right,” Pearson added.
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