Paul Robeson Essay -- The Civil Rights Movement

Paul RobesonPaul Robeson as a scholar and athlete was a two-time All-American in footb altogether game and baseball, a member of Phi genus Beta Kappa, and valedictorian of his high school and college class. As an entertainer he starred in eleven movies, five Broadway musicals, and sang in sold erupt concerts throughout the world in twenty-five variant languages. As a statesman he became known as the citizen of the world, who radius out whenever he saw social or racial injustices in any country, and spent his last years landing with Albert Einstein to loan world peace. This magnificent African-American was able to do all these things during a time in America when most African-Americans were denied service at a local restaurant. He was Michael Jordan out front there was a Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson before Michael Jackson. He was also Muhammad Ali. He was the most famous, talented, and outspoken black individual in the world, but today many dont acceptedly know him at all. (1999, Kane)After excelling in high school, Paul Robeson went to Rutgers College on a four-year faculty member scholarship. While attending Rutgers he played football, baseball, basketball, and exposeicipated in track earning himself cardinal varsity letters. Robeson was a two-time All-American in football and baseball in 1917 and 1918. During his four years at Rutgers he also was elected to all the schools honor societies, which included being one of only four classmates selected to the Phi Beta Kappa his junior year. In 1919, his senior year at Rutgers, Robesons hard work earned him the honor of being the valedictorian of his class. The speech he gave was large of wisdom beyond his years and time. He titled his speech The new-fangled Idealism, in which he advocated to a majority white... ...eople died to build this country, and I am going to stay right here and have a part in it just like you. And no fascist-minded people will fight off me from it. Is that clear? With tho se words Robeson made a decision that would determine his fate. He chose his principles and morals over his fame and fortune. After his trial, people were afraid to agree with him because they could be labeled a communist. Undaunted Robeson would continue to sing and speak out for all oppressed people, but sadly lost all real support in the U.S.Paul Robeson was a genuine renaissance man. He was a brilliant scholar, accomplished athlete, dazzling singer, gifted actor, and an outspoken statesman. spiritedness life to its fullest does not come close to describing the achieve ments that Robeson accomplished in his lifetime. thither are few men that can compare to him and few men that ever will.