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Paul Robeson Quotes

Powerful Paul Robeson for Daily Growth

About Paul Robeson

Paul Robeson (1898-1976) was an American actor, singer, and civil rights activist, renowned for his deep bass voice, versatile talent, and political advocacy during the 20th century. Born in Princeton, New Jersey, on April 9, 1898, Robeson's life was significantly influenced by his parents - a prominent Presbyterian minister and a schoolteacher. Raised in a nurturing environment that valued education and social activism, Robeson excelled academically and later attended Rutgers University and Columbia Law School. Robeson's artistic career took off in the early 1920s when he started performing on stage and in films. His breakthrough roles included Othello, in Eugene O'Neill's play of the same name, and the title role in Show Boat. Robeson's musical talent extended beyond acting as he was also an accomplished singer, known for renditions of spirituals, folk songs, and operatic arias. Politically active since his college days, Robeson became increasingly vocal about social justice issues, particularly racial equality. He traveled extensively, meeting with political leaders and rallying support for causes such as the anti-colonial movement, labor rights, and opposition to fascism. These activities led to scrutiny from government agencies and restrictions on his career. Despite facing adversity, Robeson continued to make significant contributions to both arts and activism. His major works include the films The Emperor Jones (1933) and Porphyria's Lover (1936), as well as numerous stage performances and recordings of songs like "Ol' Man River" and "Go Down, Moses." Robeson's life and work continue to be celebrated for their impact on civil rights, arts, and humanitarian causes. His legacy serves as a reminder of the power of art, activism, and resilience in the face of adversity.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The artist must elect to fight for freedom or to fascism."

This quote emphasizes that artists, through their creativity and influence, have a significant role in society. They must choose between using their talents to support and advocate for freedom, human rights, and equality, or aligning themselves with oppressive ideologies such as fascism. The artist's work can inspire, provoke thought, and create change, making them powerful agents of social progress or regression. This quote serves as a call-to-action for artists to wield their influence responsibly and fight for the greater good.

"I am not an American citizen; I am a human being, and I belong to the world and to Mankind."

Paul Robeson, in this quote, emphasizes his universal identity as a human being rather than limiting himself to any one nationality or citizenship. He asserts that he belongs not just to America, but to humanity at large, and to the global community of mankind. This perspective challenges narrow definitions of nationalism and promotes a more inclusive understanding of our shared humanity.

"I have sung in many languages, but my favorite is the human language: love."

This quote highlights that for renowned artist Paul Robeson, expressing and experiencing love transcends linguistic boundaries. He finds beauty in all human languages, but he considers the universal language of love as the most significant. It emphasizes that love is a powerful, universal emotion that can be understood and felt across cultures and languages.

"I am going to get into this world where possibilities will be open to me I know that I shall meet friendly faces, kindly hands, and helping hearts. I shall need them all, for the struggle will be a long one."

Paul Robeson's quote expresses his determination and optimism in facing challenges as he strives towards personal growth and success. He anticipates a supportive environment filled with friendly people who are willing to lend a hand, recognizing that this support will be crucial during the long and difficult struggle ahead. The quote serves as a powerful reminder of perseverance, faith, and the power of community in overcoming obstacles.

"I have learned amidst shouts of 'Hurrah!' in America, the deep song of suffering, which has vibrated through generations, and given me my humanity."

Paul Robeson's quote suggests that his understanding and empathy for humanity stemmed from a profound awareness of the struggle and pain experienced by marginalized groups in America, which he describes as a "deep song of suffering." This experience gave him a unique perspective on life, one rooted not just in the loud cheers of success, but also in the silent whispers of hardship. It shaped his humanity by imparting understanding, compassion, and resilience.

You want to shut up every Negro who has the courage to stand up and fight for the rights of his people, for the rights of workers, and I have been on many a picket line for the steelworkers too.

- Paul Robeson

Line, Been, Shut, Picket

In fact, because of this deep desire for peace, the ruling class leaders of this land, from 1945 on, stepped up the hysteria and propaganda to drive into American minds the false notion that danger threatened them from the East.

- Paul Robeson

Deep, Fact, Leaders, Hysteria

Yes, peace can and must be won, to save the world from the terrible destruction of World War III.

- Paul Robeson

War, Yes, Save, III

The other reason that I am here today, again from the State Department and from the court record of the court of appeals, is that when I am abroad I speak out against the injustices against the Negro people of this land.

- Paul Robeson

Reason, Here, Other, Injustices

At every step the vast majority have expressed horror at the idea of an aggressive war.

- Paul Robeson

Horror, Idea, Vast Majority, Aggressive

Like any other people, like fathers, mothers, sons and daughters in every land, when the issue of peace or war has been put squarely to the American people, they have registered for peace.

- Paul Robeson

Other, Been, Fathers, Registered

The Korean war has always been an unpopular war among the American people.

- Paul Robeson

Always, Been, Among, Korean

Could I say that the reason that I am here today, you know, from the mouth of the State Department itself, is: I should not be allowed to travel because I have struggled for years for the independence of the colonial peoples of Africa.

- Paul Robeson

Reason, Here, Allowed, Colonial

I know that if the peace movement takes its message boldly to the Negro people a powerful force can be secured in pursuit of the greatest goal of all mankind. And the same is true of labor and the great democratic sections of our population.

- Paul Robeson

Pursuit, Peace Movement, Our, Powerful Force

My mother was born in your state, Mr. Walter, and my mother was a Quaker, and my ancestors in the time of Washington baked bread for George Washington's troops when they crossed the Delaware, and my own father was a slave.

- Paul Robeson

Bread, My Own, Mr, Crossed

Through the years I have received my share of recognition for efforts in the fields of sports, the arts, the struggle for full citizenship for the Negro people, labor's rights and the fight for peace.

- Paul Robeson

Sports, Citizenship, Through, Struggle

Why should the Negroes ever fight against the only nations of the world where racial discrimination is prohibited, and where the people can live freely? Never! I can assure you, they will never fight against either the Soviet Union or the peoples' democracies.

- Paul Robeson

Why, Against, Soviet Union, Freely

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

Belong, Fights, Which, Imperialism

You know I am an actor, and I have medals for diction.

- Paul Robeson

I Am, Actor, Medals, Diction

And at home in the United States we found continued and increased persecution, first of leaders of the Communist Party, and then of all honest anti-fascists.

- Paul Robeson

Communist, United States, Party

I did a long concert tour in England and Denmark and Sweden, and I also sang for the Soviet people, one of the finest musical audiences in the world.

- Paul Robeson

England, Concert, Musical, Denmark

And, gentlemen, they have not yet done so, and it is quite clear that no Americans, no people in the world probably, are going to war with the Soviet Union.

- Paul Robeson

Soviet Union, Clear, Going, Gentlemen

In Russia I felt for the first time like a full human being. No color prejudice like in Mississippi, no color prejudice like in Washington. It was the first time I felt like a human being.

- Paul Robeson

Color, Human Being, Like, Mississippi

This United States Government should go down to Mississippi and protect my people. That is what should happen.

- Paul Robeson

Go, Happen, United States, Mississippi

But the deep desire for peace remained with the American people.

- Paul Robeson

Peace, Deep, Desire, Deep Desire

We must join with the tens of millions all over the world who see in peace our most sacred responsibility.

- Paul Robeson

Over, Tens, Tens Of Millions, Millions

This is the basis, and I am not being tried for whether I am a Communist, I am being tried for fighting for the rights of my people, who are still second-class citizens in this United States of America.

- Paul Robeson

Communist, United States, Second-Class

I said it was my feeling that the American people would struggle for peace, and that has since been underscored by the President of these United States.

- Paul Robeson

United, Been, United States, American People

Four hundred million in India, and millions everywhere, have told you, precisely, that the colored people are not going to die for anybody: they are going to die for their independence.

- Paul Robeson

Die, Going, Hundred, Precisely

As an artist I come to sing, but as a citizen, I will always speak for peace, and no one can silence me in this.

- Paul Robeson

Artist, Always, Citizen, Speak

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