Paul Robeson - Man of Conscience (1981) | Paul Robeson Jr.

Highlights from a rare TV special in which Paul Robeson, Jr. shares stories about his late father.
The film he introduces can be viewed here (poor quality) in its entirety • Video
______
Paul Leroy Robeson (/ˈroʊbsən/ ROHB-sən;[1][2] April 9, 1898 - January 23, 1976) was an American bass baritone concert artist and stage and film actor who became famous both for his cultural accomplishments and for his political activism. Educated at Rutgers College and Columbia University, he was also a star athlete in his youth. He also studied Swahili and linguistics at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London in 1934.[3] His political activities began with his involvement with unemployed workers and anti-imperialist students whom he met in Britain and continued with support for the Loyalist cause in the Spanish Civil War and his opposition to fascism. In the United States he also became active in the Civil Rights Movement and other social justice campaigns. His sympathies for the Soviet Union and for communism, and his criticism of the United States government and its foreign policies, caused him to be blacklisted during the McCarthy era.
Paul Leroy Robeson Jr. (November 2, 1927 - April 26, 2014) was an American author, archivist and historian.
Robeson was born in Brooklyn to entertainer and activist Paul Robeson and Eslanda Goode Robeson. As his family moved to Europe, he grew up in England (visiting the St Mary's Town and Country School in London) and Moscow, in the Soviet Union. In Moscow, he attended an elite school. The Robesons returned to the United States in 1939 to live first in Harlem, New York, and after 1941 in Enfield, Connecticut. Robeson graduated from Enfield High School and attended Cornell University, where he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering in 1949.
Robeson's paternal grandfather Reverend William Drew Robeson was born into slavery,[1] escaped from a plantation in his teens[2] and eventually became the minister of Princeton's Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church in 1881. Robeson's paternal grandmother, Maria Louisa Bustill[3] was from a prominent Quaker family of mixed ancestry: African, Anglo-American, and Lenape.[4]
Robeson worked on the legacy of his father, published a two-volume biography of him, and created an archive of his father's films, photographs, recordings, letters, and publications.[5] As an advocate for social and racial justice he shared the political views of his father, indicating that "like him, I am a black radical".[5][6] He was married to Marilyn Greenberg in 1949; the couple had two children, David (died 1998) and Susan,[7] and one grandchild.[6]
Robeson died of lymphoma in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 2014
Shared for historical purposes. I do not own the rights.
#####
Reelblack's mission is to educate, elevate, entertain, enlighten, and empower through Black film. If there is content shared on this platform that you feel infringes on your intellectual property, please email me at [e-mail] and [e-mail] with details and it will be promptly removed.

[@TyroneDaviesWELSHMAN]

Mr Robeson is a name of legend in the South Wales valleys. A literal giant who fought for better conditions and terms for our coal miners. His name will forever live on in the land of song.

[@allymayful]

This video is absolute GOLD for me. Paul Robson was my Welsh fathers hero, cos he thought for better conditions for the Welsh coal miners. So good to hear his whole courageous story here, especially it being told by his own son. My father would have loved to have heard it.

[@angr3819]

We British wanted him and his family to stay and become British. He was very much loved and of course by miners. He and some mining families made the film "Happy Valley", an amateur production which was at times inspiring but at the end heartbreaking. The French and Soviets also wanted him to naturalise. He had at least 3 other nations to choose from but went home out of loyalty to his people in America, sadly to be heavily persecuted, and covertly tortured with drugs secretly put in his drinks at times. The CIA. He and his family paid a very heavy price for loyalty to the USA.

[@allymayful]

@@angr3819 l haven’t got words that adequately describe how l feel about the way he was treated when he returned home. He should be up there with Ali M.

[@angr3819]

@@allymayfulAli M? Sorry, not sure who he was.

[@allymayful]

@@angr3819 The Boxer

[@sophieb24]

Excellent presentation from his son

[@asabifatosin1150]

Thank you. I met his grandson David a few times. He was a hand drummer and stilt walker in the Mali Empire style of African culture playing with the great drummers in the US.

[@margaretmccall7726]

This is the rarest of rare footage. This is the first time I can recall Paul Robeson's son speaking about him in any capacity. Kudos to you. 👏👏

[@angr3819]

He wrote his father's biography. Very hard hitting. The efforts by other authors obviously can't compare.

[@Funkyluv]

Absolutely

[@dummytree]

Wow, father and son both have deep voices...

[@brockjms1]

Thanks. I've learned something new today and will continue my research on this man. Thanks again.!!!!

[@allymayful]

WHAT A MAN!!!!! Praise God this was recorded and preserved for us to have this valuable and accurate account of important history.

[@asabifatosin1150]

Riveting. His son did him proud.

[@tatianalyulkin410]

Yes, Uncle Paul is a giant in his own right.

[@OSNLebuna]

Man made me proud, I can only imagine.

[@casperyellowcolor8527]

Really cool really interesting how he talked about his father. I have mine still and truly hope I too can speak about him in the same manner one day in front of crowds as all great fathers should be

[@TahtahmesDiary]

Wow, father whose an athlete, son whose an intellectual - both are activists 🙌🏾

[@asabifatosin1150]

Tahtahme's Diary His father was also definitely an intellectual.

[@tom11zz884]

Both were intellectuals..and great ones at that. Please do more research on Paul Robeson :)

[@fatcat1967]

His father was intellectual he had law degree great orator.he was great athletes., Football, track and field, actor, singer, activist

[@SandfordSmythe]

@@fatcat1967 Valedictorian of his class at Rutgers.

[@jjlivingstone6598]

Oh jees...who's this shallow...

[@marybass5412]

I remember when I read the Biography of Paul Robeson more than 30 years ago, I was just blown away on how Brilliant this GREAT ANCESTOR was, and how much he SACRIFICED to STAND up for the RIGHTS of BLACK PEOPLE. He was the definition of: “IF YOU STAND FOR NOTHING, YOU WILL FALL FOR ANYTHING!” Plus, he was married to one of my DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY SISTERS ❤️❤️❤️

[@OSNLebuna]

The talents of an artist are god given, heaven been given, I must give. Man shall not live by bread alone, and what the farmer does, I must do. I must feed the people with my songs.

[@mysteriodreams]

A Remarkable man he was, indeed. Grateful for the post, it’s helpful to understand, with more color, just how much he and his contemporaries had to endure; W.E.B. DuBois, Earl B. Dickerson, and Paul Robeson all intellectuals seeking equal footing under the law saw the spirit of communism for what it could be without being truly communists. I cannot thank them enough for their sacrifices and level setting for our objectives and continued inspiration! Great video @RealBlack One

[@JacklinTerry-Lathan]

Thank you for sharing this gem!

[@ecnash8272]

Paul Robeson was incredibly gifted. I love his depth in all of his interests.

[@mayestone4130]

Thank You!!!

[@joemodavis]

Thank you thank you thank you

[@superamanda]

MY HERO FOR ALL TIME❤

[@angr3819]

Thank you

[@jaredandrews5806]

Thanks so much for posting these wonderful highlights

[@wadedixon6595]

Thanks for putting this up.

[@kynroebri4347]

Wow! This is wonderful

[@superamanda]

Wow. Just wow.

[@johnhood980]

Great!!

[@jeffreypattie7150]

Thank you very much, whata beautiful man too, apples never fall far from the tree. Im white never been proud 2 be. My dad who loved ur dad and played harmonica to him, but more importantly supported what the govt put your dad threw. Ty daddy ,im sure u next to Paul now, watching this fine man , underlines your vision also 4 equality justice and liberty!!!

[@jeffreypattie7150]

Beautiful son, ur dad underling 😇

[@cozeeetv]

I can’t wait to see this

[@Funkyluv]

Thanks @Mike D. ✌️🏾

[@chrisruss9861]

The son does his father proud.

[@NkrumahTure]

Paul Robeson, Jr.

[@tatianalyulkin410]

My hero, my source of strength and courage, my guiding light.

[@brandycoke713]

They wanted to keep Mr Robeson Quiet

[@sanantonioblackinternation1843]

Thank you! This program’s post discussion is such a treasure. Where & how can we see the film! Does it still exist?

[@phatenough1423]

My Grandfather friend. #facts #documents #pic

[@angr3819]

❤️

[@tatianalyulkin410]

You gotta specify which one. My Godfather or my uncle figure?

[@dollaphat7338]

Paul Roberson was a friend to my grandfather

[@treyb3693]

What did Mr. Robeson say about the corporate, political, and military elites and their relations with the celebrities? The obedient ones? The disobedient ones?

[@jeffreypattie7150]

Was 100% against what gov put ur dad thru.sadly times haven't changed and with new technologies in the wrong racist hands , what's going on politically.. I know in my town when biden won, I was in local taxi, and cab driver who I knew indirectly, when I was asked what I thought about election..I said thank god , god chose the right man.. he started SCREAMING, it AINT OVER YET, YOULL SEE , YOULL SEE, boy did we. Your dad is thee best bass singer s of both me and my dad. You are incredibly gifted , in wisdom and speech. God blessed your dad with a beautiful man. Wow Somerville nj. My dad lived..hmmm all day all night angels watching over we!!!

[@jillykobilly]

The film referenced in this video and your caption is set to private. Is there any way it could be made public? I'd really love to share it with my high school choir students.

[@reelblack]

I didn't upload the film. here is the official streaming link www.criterionchannel.com/paul-robeson-tribute-to-an-artist

[@jillykobilly]

@@reelblack thank you so much!!

[@lovethefields]

Oh if I could sing to the heavens I’d say thank you Reelblack!

[@fatcat1967]

Jackie robinson the base ball player testified against him which had him deported.

[@allymayful]

Wow! Is that true? How tragic.

[@fatcat1967]

@@allymayful yes it was true unfortunately

[@antoniod]

Robeson wasn't deported. That was impossible because he was born in the US. He was blacklisted and his passport was revoked, and he barely worked again until 1958, as the Red Scare died down. And it wasn't because of Jackie Robinson's testimony-Robeson was under a political cloud before Robinson testified.

[@fatcat1967]

@@antoniod it doesn't matter because he wasn't allowed to come back.his passport was revoked so he couldn't come into usm that's almost like being deported he was in france until he got sick n destitute n died in philly.youre right he wasn't deported but he was stripped of his rights n dignity had to live somewhere else

[@antoniod]

@@fatcat1967 He wasn't in France until he got sick. He was stuck here, then was able to travel again in 1958. He spent considerable time in East Germany before moving back to the US.

[@fatimahlee7355]

1st