And now for a little something about standing up to fascists.

[watrwefitinfor]

Paul Robeson giving them hell at the McCarthy Hearings. My God, what an amazing man / person / human being he was.

"While you were in Stockholm did you make a little speech?"

"I made all kinds of speeches."

"Let me read you a little quotation."

"Let me listen."

"You said, Mr. Robeson, that 'I belong to the American Resistance Movement which fights against American imperialism, just as the Resistance Movement fought against Hitler . . .' "

"[interrupting] JUST as Frederick Douglas and Harriet Tubman were underground railroaders and fighting for our freedom - you bet your life."

"Do you know Ben Davis, formerly a communist councilman in New York?"

"That was my dearest friend and he is as patriotic a gentleman as can be, and YOU, gentlemen, are the nonpatriots."

"THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED! THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED!"

"It. Should. Be."

Wat

[dembotoz]

1. damn just damn

thank you for posting

[FreepFryer]

2. This is James Earl Jones reading as Paul Robeson. Doesn't didminish the power however! (n/t)

[watrwefitinfor]

4. Thanks. I should have read more of the comments.

Often you dread reading them, but these were almost unanimous in their praise of Robeson (and of James Earl Jones).

No, doesn't diminish the power.

Wat

[Ligyron]

8. I was thinking this Robeson dude sounds just like James Earl!

Well, no wonder.

Anyway, Patriots, both of them.

[GeoWilliam750]

3. Thank you for posting

Might you know if the original recordings are available?

Fascinating and courageous man.

[watrwefitinfor]

5. My pleasure.

I went back and read in the comments that there are no recordings of the HUAC hearings. But the transcripts are said to be available (from somewhere). I know nothing more about them.

I've been a huge admirer of Robeson since the 1950s when I first heard of him and heard a few recordings. Later even more so with more exposure to his music, and especially to his politics and activism. But I never heard of his appearance before the Committee prior to this.

Wat

[watrwefitinfor]

6. Found this bio pic,

for those like me who want to learn more about his life.

Wat

[watrwefitinfor]

7. Paul Robeson sings "I Dreamed I Saw Joe Hill Last Night" to Scottish miners.

I think this just replaced "Old Man River" as my favorite Robeson song.

Wat

[woodsprite]

9. Thanks for posting!

My voice instructor often talks about him, but I had never looked him up. Mr. Robeson made an impression on him when he had a chance to take a vocal masterclass and private instruction with him in Philadelphia when he was in college. Mr. Robeson said he would take him as a private student if he would show up for lessons at 5:45 am. To this day (and my instructor is now pushing 70), he tears up when speaking of Mr. Robeson.