PAUL ROBESON: Pro athlete, legendary singer/actor, polyglot, SOCIALIST CHAMPION?

"Every artist, every scientist must decide NOW where he stands. He has no alternative. There is no standing above the conflict on Olympian heights ... [T]he artist must take sides. He must elect to fight for freedom or slavery. I have made my choice. I had no alternative."

Many remember Paul Robeson (1898-1976) primarily as the iconic voice behind "Ol' Man River", but he was so very much more than that.

Submarines, let's take the plunge into the life story of Paul Robeson, discuss, reflect, and bear witness.

As usual, there's no expectation you'll watch/read them all, but below are some links to get you started on your journey down the rabbithole. Even if you don't get a chance to check any of it out, do feel free to join us nonetheless. It's fun.

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VIDEO :

• "Paul Robeson: The First Black Star | TIFF 2017" (7 minutes)
• PAUL ROBESON: HERE I STAND (118 minutes. 1999 documentary from PBS "American Masters" series: alternative link; Read the blurb here)
• "Paul Robeson: On colonialism, African-American rights (Spotlight, ABC,1960)" (3 minutes)
• "The Chris Hedges Report: Gerald Horne on unrelentingly radical life of Paul Robeson" (31 minutes; interview with Robeson biographer)
• "Paul Robeson testifying at the House Un-American Activities Committee" (12 minutes. Awe-inspiring and infuriating.)
• "Paul Robeson Sings in Moscow (1958)" (3 minutes)

TEXT :

• "Testimony of Paul Robeson before the House Committee on Un-American Activities, June 12, 1956" (Transcript of audio linked above)
• "THIS DAY IN HISTORY: Dec. 17, 1951: “We Charge Genocide” Petition Submitted to United Nations" from the Zinn Education Project