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Paul Robeson[1] died in 1976, the year I graduated from college. I first began admiring him on a school day afternoon in the early 1960s. One of his movies was featured on an after-school TV matinee. It was Sanders of the River, a 1935 British film[2]. Paul did not play the title character “Sanders”. But he did receive top billing as “Bosambo”, a tribal chief. Though this name may sound demeaning to some, I am not inclined to think that it bothered Paul Robeson. He was more than just a pioneering African-American movie actor. He was a multi-talented public figure and a man of deep thought and character. If he viewed that name with any negativity, I’ll bet ten bucks to a donut that he would have made them change it.

Paul’s role was truly the story’s hero. In some countries, the film was released as Bosambo, and Paul’s performance was indeed magnificent as the self-made chief who kept peace fairly among his forest people.

When I heard Paul Robeson sing, it was stunningly resonant. I remember thinking; he’s almost as good as Coach Winchester! (See blog entry “Awakenings: Earl Winchester”, posted 1/29/11) You can hear Paul Robeson’s inspirational rendition of “Ol’ Man River” at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWdZ3ZrwW9c. This website describes how Paul modified the lyrics to be more respectful of African-Americans than the original Jerome Kerns Showboat version had been.

Paul Robeson, like many artists of his day, was black-listed by HUAC[3] for his political beliefs. Isn’t it interesting! Some racist humans labeled enslaved Africans and their descendants as inhuman or “lower” life-forms—right here in America. Then here came the All-American athlete, opera-singing actor, scholar, lawyer and inspirational activist for workers’ and equal rights—and these white politicians had the gall to sanction him for his ideas! Fittingly, the divisive HUAC committee was abolished in 1975—so that Paul Robeson out-lived it.

Mr. Paul Robeson, the son of a former slave, will always rank among my most respected heroes—even though my football coach was a better vocalist!

Photo: Paul Robeson at Peace Arch Park on the international boundary of U.S.A. and Canada, Blaine, WA, May 18, 1952 where he sang to 25,000 people on both sides of the border[4]. (Image listed on website as “courtesy of Paul Robeson Jr.”)

[1] See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Robeson

[2] See: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026966/ - In PDX, available at Movie Madness: http://moviemadnessvideo.com/

[3] See: http://www.nps.gov/archive/elro/glossary/huac.htm

[4] See: http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=8163 article by Paula Becker

aul Robeson[1] died in 1976, the year I graduated from college. I first began admiring him on a school day afternoon in the early 1960s. One of his movies was featured on an after-school TV matinee. It was Sanders of the River, a 1935 British film[2]. Paul did not play the title character “Sanders”. But he did receive top billing as “Bosambo”, a tribal chief. Though this name may sound demeaning to some, I am not inclined to think that it bothered Paul Robeson. He was more than just a pioneering African-American movie actor. He was a multi-talented public figure and a man of deep thought and character. If he viewed that name with any negativity, I’ll bet ten bucks to a donut that he would have made them change it.Paul’s role was truly the story’s hero. In some countries, the film was released as Bosambo, and Paul’s performance was indeed magnificent as the self-made chief who kept peace fairly among his forest people.When I heard Paul Robeson sing, it was stunningly resonant. I remember thinking; he’s almost as good as Coach Winchester! (See blog entry “Awakenings: Earl Winchester”, posted 1/29/11) You can hear Paul Robeson’s inspirational rendition of “Ol’ Man River” at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWdZ3ZrwW9c. This website describes how Paul modified the lyrics to be more respectful of African-Americans than the original Jerome Kerns Showboat version had been.Paul Robeson, like many artists of his day, was black-listed by HUAC[3] for his political beliefs. Isn’t it interesting! Some racist humans labeled enslaved Africans and their descendants as inhuman or “lower” life-forms—right here in America. Then here came the All-American athlete, opera-singing actor, scholar, lawyer and inspirational activist for workers’ and equal rights—and these white politicians had the gall to sanction him for his ideas! Fittingly, the divisive HUAC committee was abolished in 1975—so that Paul Robeson out-lived it.Mr. Paul Robeson, the son of a former slave, will always rank among my most respected heroes—even though my football coach was a better vocalist!Photo: Paul Robeson at Peace Arch Park on the international boundary of U.S.A. and Canada, Blaine, WA, May 18, 1952 where he sang to 25,000 people on both sides of the border[4]. (Image listed on website as “courtesy of Paul Robeson Jr.”)

[1] See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Robeson

[2] See: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026966/ - In PDX, available at Movie Madness: http://moviemadnessvideo.com/

[3] See: http://www.nps.gov/archive/elro/glossary/huac.htm

[4] See: http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=8163 article by Paula Becker