The Race to Break Boundaries

The Untold Interacial Love Story of Julie Robinson Belafonte

“Julie Robinson was the newest member of the company proper, finally making the step up after some years at the school. She was the first white student at the Dunham School and now the first white member of the company. The child of artistic Jewish parents, she had grown up in Greenwich Village and had found her way to the Dunham Company through her interest in modern dance.She would go on to marry Harry Belafonte, but at the time she met Eartha, however, Julie had another illustrious boyfriend, a young actor who was to become even more famous than Belafonte, and went by the name of Marlon Brando.” 

Excerpt from the book America’s Mistress: The Life and Times of Ms Eartha Kitt by John L. Williams regarding Julie Robinson’s time as Eartha Kitt’s roommate while touring to the UK with the Dunham Company in 1948

Julie Robinson Belafonte stands as a powerful figure, not just in the arts, but as a symbol of progress and resilience during a time when interracial unions were met with intense scrutiny and prejudice. Her life reflects both the beauty of creative expression and the complexity of navigating a bi-racial relationship in mid-20th century America. 

Born in 1928, Julie Robinson carved her path as a groundbreaking dancer, joining the famed Katherine Dunham Dance Company as its first white member. This was a pivotal achievement, not only because of her dance talent but because of her entry into an all-Black company during a time when racial segregation in the arts was still prominent. 

Through dance, Robinson found a way to connect across racial lines, using her talent as a medium to bridge divides. Her involvement with the Dunham Company marked the start of a life dedicated to both the arts and activism. She later went on to appear in films such as “Mambo” and “Lust for Life,” balancing a career on stage and screen.

In 1957, Julie Robinson married Harry Belafonte, one of the most iconic voices in the Civil Rights Movement and an international superstar. Their marriage was notable not just for the union between two prominent figures, but for the racial tensions it highlighted. 

Interracial marriages at the time were still illegal in many U.S. states, and the couple faced significant opposition. Harry Belafonte, as a celebrated Black man, was especially scrutinized by both Black and white communities for marrying outside his race. 

Public criticism, hate mail, and social backlash were common in their early years together, illustrating the deep-rooted fears and prejudices that bi-racial couples had to endure during this period.

In a 1957 “Ebony Magazine” interview, Belafonte addressed these tensions head-on, asserting that race was not the driving factor in their union but rather a profound connection of shared values and aspirations. 

However, this public defense underscores the racialized lens through which society viewed their relationship—Harry and Julie were compelled to justify their love and navigate the double-edged sword of fame and prejudice.

Julie and Harry's relationship wasn't just a personal union; it became a political statement in and of itself. They used their prominence to contribute to the civil rights movement in both visible and quiet ways. 

The couple participated in marches, hosted fundraisers, and worked alongside figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., helping to push forward the cause of racial equality. Their home, often described as a salon for political thinkers, artists, and activists, became a hub where culture and change converged.

In the context of bi-racial marriages, Julie and Harry Belafonte's union challenged a deeply segregated society's ideas about race, love, and family. In an era where mixed-race couples were rare and often vilified, their visibility and activism played a role in humanizing such unions. They showed that love could transcend the color line, even when society sought to enforce it.

Julie Robinson Belafonte’s life as a dancer, activist, and Harry Belafonte's partner speaks to the broader struggles and victories of interracial unions in American history. At a time when bi-racial marriages were viewed as radical, their resilience in the face of racism offered a counter-narrative to the segregated society they lived in. 

Today, their marriage is recognized not only for its personal significance but for how it paved the way for future generations to love without fear of societal reprisal.

Books such as Harry Belafonte's autobiography, “My Song: A Memoir,” offer glimpses into the complexities of their relationship and the external pressures they faced as a high-profile interracial couple. 

As societal perceptions of interracial relationships have evolved, it is important to reflect on couples like Julie and Harry Belafonte, who stood on the frontlines of both love and activism. Their union not only defied the racial boundaries of their time but also provided a model for future generations of couples who, by simply being together, would challenge and change the world.

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