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<a href="http://www.zcommunications.org/znet/viewArticle/16820" eudora="autourl">
http://www.zcommunications.org/znet/viewArticle/16820<br><br>
</a></font><h1><b>Walking the Lonely Road:A Review of Paul Robeson's
Words of Freedom</b></h1><font size=3>March 09, 2008 By <b>Ron Jacobs</b>
<br><br>
<br>
When we think of Paul Robeson, those of us who know his work hear that
bass voice professing a melody like no other voice bass ever recorded.
His voice on “Ol' Man River” is the undercurrent of that mighty river
pulling the silt across its bottom and leaving the oppressed working
people along its shores behind. His version of “Sometimes I Feel Like a
Motherless Child” provides a new depth to the meaning of forlorn. These
songs, barely political, speak to us of the despair that has been the
historical situation of the African-American since the first one was sold
to the European slaver and packed into the hold of a slaving ship. They
also resonate with a hope that the more fortunate often find difficult to
comprehend.<br><br>
<br><br>
Unlike some of his contemporaries that also had the white man's ear, Paul
Robeson was never afraid to share his opinion about that history of
oppression and its legacy. Nor was he quiet about the oppression of his
fellow colonized peoples. This naturally did not endear him to the
wealthy and powerful. Of course, this was not his intention, either. Born
in North Carolina of a slave father who was also a freedom fighter,
Robeson did not have to go far to find reasons for his beliefs. Racial
apartheid and the accompanying irrationality and brutality were part of
his family's everyday life. Even after he had made it professionally, he
knew that to many people he was just another black man. On top of that,
he was also a communist in an era when being such was tantamount to being
a witch in the middle ages.<br><br>
<br><br>
Freedom Archives of San Francisco, California, recently released a CD of
oratory from Mr. Robeson titled <i>Words of Freedom</i>. This is the
latest in the Archives series of audio and video releases recognizing the
freedom struggle of black Americans. Earlier releases included a
collection of conversations and speeches by and about Robert Williams and
a video about the police torture of several Black Panther Party
memberssome of whom find themselves once again on trial for the very
same crimes they were tortured by police for in the 1970s (charges that
were dropped in 1975). <br><br>
<br><br>
Robeson's stentorian voice enhances the messages of resistance and
freedom on this disc. He talks about his life, slavery, the black freedom
movement, and art, among other things. The longest excerpt is from his
testimony in front of the House Unamerican Activities Committee (HUAC).
Unlike many others that were called before this committee and failed to
stand up to its persecutory intimidation, Robeson challenges the hateful
men he finds himself facing and unmasks their racist line of questions
with an unequivocal statement of his belief in freedom and social
justice. After a contentious go-around with the chair of the committee, a
Representative from Pennsylvania, Robeson was asked: “Now, what prejudice
are you talking about? You were graduated from Rutgers and you were
graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. I remember seeing you play
football at Lehigh.” Robeson responded with a joking reminder that Lehigh
beat UPenn in football while he was there. The Senator and Robeson shared
a thought or two on the subject of football and then the Senator repeated
his question: “What prejudice are you talking about?” Robeson
responded: “Just a moment. This is something that I challenge very
deeply, and very sincerely: that the success of a few Negroes, including
myself or Jackie Robinson can make upand here is a study from Columbia
Universityfor seven hundred dollars a year for thousands of Negro
families in the South. My father was a slave, and I have cousins who are
sharecroppers, and I do not see my success in terms of myself. That is
the reason my own success has not meant what it should mean....”<br><br>
<br><br>
Although there is no music on this cd, the orations are like music to
this ear. The depth of passion one hears on Robeson's musical recordings
is equaled in these excerpts. The people that put together this CD hope
to see it enter libraries and classrooms so that it can serve not only as
the study of a great man who never wavered from his principles despite
the temptations of wealth and the threats of his government, but also as
an inspiration to those who listen to it. <i>Words of Freedom </i>is<i>
</i>historical proof that artists and performers can be successful in the
capitalist culture of the US without selling their heart or their soul.
<br><br>
<br><br>
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<font size=3 color="#FF0000">Freedom Archives<br>
522 Valencia Street<br>
San Francisco, CA 94110<br><br>
</font><font size=3 color="#008000">415 863-9977<br><br>
</font><font size=3 color="#0000FF">
<a href="http://www.freedomarchives.org/" eudora="autourl">
www.Freedomarchives.org</a></font><font size=3> </font></body>
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