Paul Robeson

The powerful memoir of the most celebrated and blacklisted Black American of the 20th century--offering a defiant challenge to the prevailing fear and racism that continues to characterize American society A limited Beacon Classics edition, with a gorgeous spot gloss cover and retro, classic palette Paul Robeson recounts his journey from star athlete to esteemed actor, singer, and civil rights activist, and the racism and political persecution he faced that attempted to silence him. In the first half of the 20th century, Robeson's international achievements in starring roles on stage and screen made him the most celebrated Black American of his day. But his outspoken criticism of racism in the United States, his strong support of African independence, and his fascination with the Soviet Union placed him under the debilitating scrutiny of McCarthyism. A bold answer to his accusers, Here I Stand details how these challenges Robeson faced only strengthened his resolve to fight against injustice. In our own time of increased scrutiny and attempts to limit people's right to protest, Robeson's unwavering courage and commitment to his principles offers an inspiring model for how we all must continue to stand up for what we believe in. Here I Stand is not simply a memoir, but a testament to the enduring spirit of resilience and resistance in the face of adversity.

The eagerly awaited second volume of Paul Robeson Jr.'s acclaimed biography of his father, the legendary singer, actor, and social activist. The greatest scholar-athlete-performing artist in U. S. history, Paul Robeson was one of the most compelling figures of the twentieth century. In this final volume of his groundbreaking biography, Paul Robeson Jr. tells the untold, inside story of his father's life from World War II until his death, including his fight against racism and injustice and his courageous defiance of persecution by government agencies. Breaks new ground, using unpublished photographs and source materials from private diaries, letters, and government documentsOffers unprecedented insight into how Robeson bridged the contradictions of his personal and public lifePraised as ""an accomplished and moving memoir"" (Boston Globe, on Vol. 1) and ""an important, well-wrought addition to African-American, Cold War and theater scholarship"" (Publishers Weekly)Revealing a multifaceted figure who moved among major roles as a performer, political activist, husband, and father, The Undiscovered Paul Robeson traces the dramatic arc of one of the world's most distinguished performing artists and passionate leaders in the fight for universal human rights.

" C]ontinues the elder Robeson's tradition of speaking out thoughtfully and frankly, and sketches a vision of American history where Black Americans, from slavery forward, have been forced to live a 'separate reality' from white Americans."--"Publishers Weekly""The language of the Declaration of Independence could not have used the word" freedom "without directly confronting the issue of slavery as the ultimate denial of "liberty, "" writes black American writer Paul Robeson Jr. in the opening pages of this powerful and forward-looking indictment of contemporary American politics. Thereafter, Robeson writes, ""liberty "meant the privileges to which the elite minority was entitled." And as for "freedom, "we are still waiting for it. In the tradition of James Baldwin's "Notes of a Native Son, "Robeson's "A Black Way of Seeing" melds history and analysis in a sweeping panorama, scathing in its understanding of why black empowerment has failed and prescient in its articulation of what it will take for black Americans to finally cross over to the status of fully empowered citizens and what the ramifications of this change can be for the country as a whole. Paul Robeson Jr. is the author of "Paul Robeson, Jr. Speaks to America: The Politics of Multiculturalism "and "The Undiscovered Paul Robeson: An Artist's Journey. "An esteemed cultural critic, he has lectured across the United States and has appeared on radio and television programs around the globe. Son of the legendary Paul Robeson, he served for more than twenty years as his father's close aide and personal representative.

"The language of the Declaration of Independence could not have used the word "freedom" without directly confronting the issue of slavery as the ultimate denial of "liberty,"" writes the Black American writer Paul Robeson, Jr. in the opening pages of this powerful and forward-looking indictment of contemporary American politics from one of our strongest and bravest Black voices of conscience. Thereafter, Robeson writes, "liberty meant the privileges to which the elite minority was entitled." And as for "freedom.".. we are still waiting for it. In the tradition of Du Bois's "The Souls of Black Folk, Robeson's A Black Way of Seeing" melds history and analysis in a sweeping panaroma, scathing in its understanding of why black empowerment has failed, prescient in its articulation of what it will take for Black Americans to finally cross over to the status of fully empowered citizens, and what the ramifications of this change can be for the country as a whole. Today no African-American elected on a Republican ticket sits in Congress. Most Blacks do not trust President Bush, and are not inclined to believe anything he says. When Black Americans begin to change the status quo, Robeson argues, they will change not only their own status in America, but will help change this whole country in the process. Paul Robeson, Jr., son of the legendary Paul Robeson, served for more than 20 years as his father's close aide and personal representative. An esteemed cultural critic, he has lectured across the United States and England and appeared on radio and television programs across the globe. This is his third book.

The long-awaited, untold, inside story of the rise of the legendary actor, singer, scholar, and activist. The first volume of this major biography breaks new ground. The greatest scholar-athlete-performing artist in U. S. history, Paul Robeson was one of the most compelling figures of the twentieth century. Now his son, Paul Robeson Jr., traces the dramatic arc of his rise to fame, painting a definitive picture of Paul Robeson's formative years. His father was an escaped slave; his mother, a descendent of freedmen; and his wife, the brilliant and ambitious Eslanda Cardozo Goode. With a law degree from Columbia University; a professional football career; title roles in Eugene O'Neill's plays and in Shakespeare's Othello; and a concert career in America and Europe, Robeson dominated his era. This unprecedented biography reveals the depth of Robeson's cultural scholarship, explores the contradictions he bridged in his personal and political life, and describes his emergence as a symbol of the anticolonial and antifascist struggles. Filled with previously unpublished photographs and source materials from the private diaries and letters of Paul and Eslanda Robeson, this is the epic story of a forerunner who now stands as one of America's greatest heroes.

The Messenger was the third most popular magazine of the Harlem Renaissance after The Crisis andOpportunity. Unlike the other two magazines, The Messenger was not tied to a civil rights organization. Labor activist A. Philip Randolph and economist Chandler Owen started the magazine in 1917 to advance the cause of socialism to the black masses. They believed that a socialist society was the only one that would be free from racism. The socialist ideology of The Messenger "the only magazine of scientific radicalism in the world published by Negroes," was reflected in the pieces and authors published in its pages. The Messenger Reader contains poetry, stories, and essays from Paul Robeson, Zora Neale Hurston, Wallace Thurman, and Dorothy West. The Messenger Reader, will be a welcome addition to the critically acclaimed Modern Library Harlem Renaissance series.