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Paul Robeson

Paul Robeson Quotes

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Famous Paul Robeson Quotes

“If the United States and the United Nations truly want peace and security let them fulfill the hopes of the common people everywhere - let them work together to accomplish on a worldwide scale, precisely the kind of democratic association of free people which characterizes the Soviet Union today.”

PeopleIfsWantKindStatesTodayTogetherNationsUnitedCommonUnited StatesSecurityUnionsDemocraticAccomplishScalesWorking TogetherSovietAssociationSoviet UnionUnited NationsPeace And Security
Author:Paul Robeson
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“In the early days of my carer as an actor, I shared what was then the prevailing attitude of Negro performers :;that the content and form of a play or a film scenario was of little importance to us. What mattered was was the opportunity, which came so seldom to our folks ... Later I came to understand that the Negro artist could not view the matter simply in terms of of his individual interests, and that he had a responsibility to his people who rightfully resented the traditional stereotyped portrayals of Negros on stage and screen.”

PeopleLittlesMatterPlayFilmFormArtistActorsOpportunityIndividualTermInterestViewsAttitudeResponsibilityStageImportanceFolksScreensTraditionalPerformersScenariosPrevailingPortrayal
Author:Paul Robeson
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“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.”

PeopleIfsKnowsForceGoalPowerfulMankindMovementMessagesLaborDemocraticPopulationPursuitSectionsSecured
Book:Paul Robeson speaks: writings, speeches, interviews, 1918-1974
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“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.”

PeopleWorldShouldI CanFightingNationsDemocracyUnionsDiscriminationSovietSoviet UnionRacial Discrimination
Book:Paul Robeson speaks: writings, speeches, interviews, 1918-1974
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“I feel closer to my country than ever. There is no longer a feeling of lonesome isolation. Instead-peace. I return without fearing prejudice that once bothered me . . . for I know that people practice cruel bigotry in their ignorance, not maliciously”

PeopleKnowsFeelsCountryFeelingsPracticeIgnoranceReturnRacismPrejudiceIsolationBigotryBotheredLonesome
Book:Paul Robeson speaks: writings, speeches, interviews, 1918-1974
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“When I sang my American folk melodies in Budapest, Prague, Tiflis, Moscow, Oslo, or the Hebrides or on the Spanish front, the people understood and wept or rejoiced with the spirit of the songs. I found that where forces have been the same, whether people weave, build, pick cotton, or dig in the mine, they understand each other in the common language of work, suffering, and protest.”

PeopleHas BeensSpiritSufferingSongFoundLanguageForceCommonFrontsMinesSingingPicksUnderstoodFolksProtestMelodyCottonMoscowCommon LanguagePragueBudapestOslo
Book:Paul Robeson speaks: writings, speeches, interviews, 1918-1974
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“Yes, I heard my people singing!-in the glow of parlor coal-stove and on summer porches sweet with lilac air, from choir loft and Sunday morning pews-and my soul was filled with their harmonies. Then, too, I heard these songs in the very sermons of my father, for in the Negro's speech there is much of the phrasing and rhythms of folk-song. The great, soaring gospels we love are merely sermons that are sung; and as we thrill to such gifted gospel singers as Mahalia Jackson, we hear the rhythmic eloquence of our preachers, so many of whom, like my father, are masters of poetic speech.”

PeopleSoulSongFatherMorningHeardAirSweetMastersSpeechSummerSingingHarmonyFilledFolksSingersRhythmMy SoulSundayPoeticPreacherGiftedThrillCoalSoarSermonsEloquenceChoirPorchStovesSunday MorningParlorLilacFolk Songs
Book:Here I Stand
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