Paul Leroy Robeson - An American Hero
April 9, 1898 – January 23, 1976
Robeson was an African American singer and actor who was a political activist for the Civil Rights Movement.
Although Robeson reached the pinnacle of artistic and fina...ncial success, the Spanish Civil War effectuated his deprecation of his commercial career in order to become an outspoken artist against Fascism and social injustices.
Consequently, his advocacy of anti-imperialism, affiliation with Communism, and his criticism of the US government would bring retribution and public condemnation during the the age of McCarthyism.
He was blacklisted, and to his financial and social detriment, he remained recalcitrant and against the direction of US policies while health reasons later in his life diminished his physical state and forced him to retire privately.
In 1946, he telegraphed President Truman on the Lynching in the United States of four Black Americans, demanding that the federal government "take steps to apprehend and punish the perpetrators ... and to halt the rising tide of lynchings.
Robeson led a delegation to the White House to present a legislative and educational program aimed at ending mob violence; demanding that lynchers be prosecuted and calling on Congress to enact a federal anti-lynching law.
Robeson then warned Truman that if the government did not do something to end lynching, "the Negroes will". Truman refused his request to issue a formal public statement against lynching, stating that it was not "the right time".
American Jews continue to celebrate his memory as an ally. He was the first artist to refuse to play to segregated audiences.
"I do not hesitate one second to state clearly and unmistakably: I belong to the American resistance movement which fights against American imperialism, just as the resistance movement fought against Hitler." --Paul Robeson
April 9, 1898 – January 23, 1976
Robeson was an African American singer and actor who was a political activist for the Civil Rights Movement.
Although Robeson reached the pinnacle of artistic and fina...ncial success, the Spanish Civil War effectuated his deprecation of his commercial career in order to become an outspoken artist against Fascism and social injustices.
Consequently, his advocacy of anti-imperialism, affiliation with Communism, and his criticism of the US government would bring retribution and public condemnation during the the age of McCarthyism.
He was blacklisted, and to his financial and social detriment, he remained recalcitrant and against the direction of US policies while health reasons later in his life diminished his physical state and forced him to retire privately.
In 1946, he telegraphed President Truman on the Lynching in the United States of four Black Americans, demanding that the federal government "take steps to apprehend and punish the perpetrators ... and to halt the rising tide of lynchings.
Robeson led a delegation to the White House to present a legislative and educational program aimed at ending mob violence; demanding that lynchers be prosecuted and calling on Congress to enact a federal anti-lynching law.
Robeson then warned Truman that if the government did not do something to end lynching, "the Negroes will". Truman refused his request to issue a formal public statement against lynching, stating that it was not "the right time".
American Jews continue to celebrate his memory as an ally. He was the first artist to refuse to play to segregated audiences.
"I do not hesitate one second to state clearly and unmistakably: I belong to the American resistance movement which fights against American imperialism, just as the resistance movement fought against Hitler." --Paul Robeson
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