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Paul Robeson

Paul Robeson Quotes

Singer

Paul Robeson was an exceptional American bass-baritone singer and actor, born on April 9, 1898, and died on January 23, 1976. He was renowned for his extraordinary singing talent and acting career in the early 20th century, achieving great success not only in music but also in social and political activities.

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Famous Paul Robeson Quotes

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

Truth America Fighting Race Injustice African Americans Equal Rights Race Relations

Author:Paul Robeson

“I am being tried for fighting for the right of my people, who are still second-class citizens in this United States of America.”

People Stills States America Fighting United Class United States Citizens United States Of America Second Class Citizens

Book:Paul Robeson speaks: writings, speeches, interviews, 1918-1974

Source: Paul Robeson speaks: writings, speeches, interviews, 1918-1974

“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.”

States Fighting Movement Resistance Imperialism American Imperialism

Book:Paul Robeson speaks: writings, speeches, interviews, 1918-1974

Source: Paul Robeson speaks: writings, speeches, interviews, 1918-1974

“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.”

People World Should I Can Fighting Nations Democracy Unions Discrimination Soviet Soviet Union Racial Discrimination

Book:Paul Robeson speaks: writings, speeches, interviews, 1918-1974

Source: Paul Robeson speaks: writings, speeches, interviews, 1918-1974

“The artist must elect to fight for Freedom or for Slavery.”

Artist Fighting Freedom Slavery Fighting For Freedom Mental Slavery Slavery Freedom

Author:Paul Robeson

“I stand here struggling for the rights of my people to be full citizens in this country. They are not-in Mississippi. They are not-in Montgomery. That is why I am here today. . . . You want to shut up every colored person who wants to fight for the rights of his people!.”

People Want Persons Country Today Fighting Struggle Rights Citizens Human Rights Shut Up Mississippi Montgomery

Book:Here I Stand

Source: Here I Stand

“As Americans, preserving the best of our traditions, we have the right- nay the duty-to fight for participation in the forward march of humanity”

Humanity Fighting Duty Tradition March Participation

Book:Paul Robeson speaks: writings, speeches, interviews, 1918-1974

Source: Paul Robeson speaks: writings, speeches, interviews, 1918-1974

“Every artist, every scientist, every writer must decide now where he stands. The artist must take sides. He must elect to fight for freedom or for slavery. I have made my choice. I had no alternative.”

Made Artist Choices Fighting Sides Scientist Slavery Alternatives Fighting For Freedom

Author:Paul Robeson

“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.”

People Want Has Beens Fighting Lines Courage Rights Workers Shut Up

Book:Paul Robeson speaks: writings, speeches, interviews, 1918-1974

Source: Paul Robeson speaks: writings, speeches, interviews, 1918-1974

“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.”

People Years Art Fighting Sports Effort Struggle Rights Share Fields Labor Recognition Citizenship Through The Years

Book:Paul Robeson speaks: writings, speeches, interviews, 1918-1974

Source: Paul Robeson speaks: writings, speeches, interviews, 1918-1974

About the Author

Born: April 9, 1898
Died: January 23, 1976
Known for: Singer
Quotes: 72

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People Artist Fighting World States Want Country Men Song America Citizens Diversity Found Freedom Has Beens Justice Knows Singing Social Justice Soviet

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Books & Sources

Paul Robeson speaks: writings, speeches, interviews, 1918-1974Related source material

Here I StandRelated source material

The Undiscovered Paul Robeson , An Artist's Journey, 1898-1939Related source material

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