audio version (Robeson As interpreted by James Earl Jones):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhnCrHZkgNk
short about Paul Robeson:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PfhIeFf1-Ls
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Robeson
After returning to the United States in 1939, Robeson supported the American and Allied war efforts during World War II. However, his history of supporting civil rights causes and Soviet policies brought scrutiny from the FBI. After the war ended, the CAA was placed on the Attorney General’s List of Subversive Organizations. Robeson was investigated during the McCarthy era. When he refused to recant his public advocacy of left-wing beliefs, the U.S. State Department denied his passport and his income plummeted. He moved to Harlem and published a periodical called Freedom,[4] which was critical of United States policies, from 1950 to 1955. Robeson’s right to travel was eventually restored as a result of the 1958 United States Supreme Court decision Kent v. Dulles.
I’m always glad to see anything about Paul Robeson shared. He was such an incredible figure in the 20th century. Even though unfortunately a lot of people would just write him off as a tankie today, he was so important to the civil rights struggle in the US and the anti-colonial movement throughout the world. Definitely my forever answer to “name one historical figure to have dinner with”
It’s pretty wild to think about how many people have heard his singing voice without knowing really anything about him.
