January 23, 1976 Paul Robeson, The Black Blogger's Mini-Lesson, You Cannot Erase Black Brilliance
On January 23, 1976, 44 years ago today Mr. Paul Robeson died, he was laid to rest an almost invisible black man who dared to confront the injustices of this nation.
Paul Robeson should be revered in the America standards of historical excellence by every person no matter his/her color. However, Paul Robeson was a black man who refused to shuffle along and be that acceptable negro.
Paul Robeson was proud of his color, his heritage, his community and he demanded that white America respect every man, woman, and child no matter their race, creed, or economic standing. It was that philosophy during the era of Jim Crow, The Red Scare, and shuffling to get along negroes that put Paul Robeson on the wrong side of American justice.
So, this brilliant man who mastered 20 languages and whose voice was a gift from God was erased by white historians due to his stands on human justice. You wanna talk about personal sacrifice well Paul Robson sacrificed his career to stand for justice.
You wanna talk about being a perceived threat by the US Government? Well, Paul Robeson it has been stated that he was poisoned by our government agencies to silence his powerful voice.
Even the NAACP that on this date October 18, 1945, awarded Paul Robeson The Spingarn Medal it's the highest award for individual black achievement ran for cover because of the perceived damage that Paul Robeson had on the organization's fundraising efforts.
So today The Black Blogger will read from two speeches given by Paul Robeson, one given as a 21-year-old valedictorian in 1919 and another given as a 54-year-old black man whose greatness was being erased by Americans of both races because of his bold stances for human justice. Along with those speeches I will read about Mr. Paul Robson's greatness. You may try to erase the greatness of those who stood against the tide of injustice but the dimmed light of ignorance will eventually be replaced by the sunlight of absolute knowledge.
The Blackman Read Aloud Hour Project salutes the man that was Paul Robeson . Had simply Mr.Robeson kept quiet and accepted the black position in America’s society. He could’ve died a rich and prosperous man but then Paul Robeson would’ve conflicted with the virtues and values taught him by his ancestors. So throughout his life Paul Robeson remained Paul Robeson and for that our communities should cherish that life choice.
