Tony Bennett was so appalled by the anti Black racism he saw inside the segregated US military in WW2 that he became a vocal supporter of the civil rights movement. He marched with MLK and was again shocked to see the hatred and violence inflicted on Black people in the US.
He went out of his way to perform with Black artists, knowing he was alienating a significant part of his white audience. After fighting Nazis in Europe he knew first hand the dangers racism creates.
@iamharaldur Viola Liuzzio was a volunteer who accompanied Mr. Bennett and would be murdered after his appearance, highlighting the real danger of his advocacy.
@iamharaldur He addresses this in his autobiography. My love for him grew when I read that.
@iamharaldur I read that when he was in the Army, he was demoted from sergeant to private because he chose to share a meal with a black friend that he knew from high school. Tony was, and still is, a legend 💯
@iamharaldur There's more to the story, please read this, absolutely fascinating x.com/iamharaldur/st…
@iamharaldur There's more to the story, please read this, absolutely fascinating x.com/iamharaldur/st…
@iamharaldur Antonio was an amazing guy, by many angles. RIP legend. 🙏
@iamharaldur Good people are few and far between.