A Hero For All Time
On Wednesday I had my singing debut at Oakland City Hall Rotunda with Vukani Mawethu. It was where the city of Oakland commemorated the 110th anniversary of the birth of Paul Robeson, world- renowned scholar, athlete, singer, actor and fighter for freedom, peace and social justice for all. There is an exhibition on until April 30,2008. http://www.bayarearobeson.org. Amongst all Robeson's achievements he was a scholar first and foremost and everywhere he went he spoke out strongly against injustice and for the rights of all working people throughout the world. He also spoke for peace among all peoples, including the Soviet Union. Branded a communist by the House UnAmerican Committee, his scheduled concerts were cancelled and in the 1950's the US Government banned Robeson's music from the radio and concert halls.
After revoking his passport and denying him the right to earn a living abroad they tried to erase him from history. He was a pioneer in promoting political and material support to the liberation movement of South Africa. On October 11, 1978, the United Nations bestowed an award on him posthumously in recognition of his great contribution to the international campaign against apartheid. In a message to the conference of the African National Congress he said of South Africa "I know that I am ever by your side. I am deeply proud that you are my brothers and sisters and nephews and nieces. We come from a mighty courageous people, creators of great civilizations in the past, creators of new ways of life in our own time and in the future. We shall win our freedoms together. Our folk will have their place in the ranks of those shaping human destiny"
In the 1930's he lived in England and it is there he studied his African roots, through history, cultures, languages and music of Africa. He added to his repetoire folklore and music of many nations often singing in their original languages. Robeson sang his way around the world to the elite, royalty and working people. He is known for, amongst many other songs, "Ole Man River " from Showboat, (1928) which he turned into a fighting protest song and removed the word nigger. He was loved by millions and he believed he had a responsibility to use his talents for the common good, often performing benefit concerts for social justice causes, civil rights, equality, workers rights, peace and democracy. He said "There truly is a kinship among us all , a basis for mutual respect and brotherly love ''He put forth a vision of what he called "the oneness of humankind" Ubuntu, and his son Paul Jr. remembers one of his principles as being " Succeeding without helping others is of little worth. As you climb help lift those left behind" and "A deeper understanding of one's own culture will lead to better understanding of other cultures . There is only one race the Human one."
In the 1930's he lived in England and it is there he studied his African roots, through history, cultures, languages and music of Africa. He added to his repetoire folklore and music of many nations often singing in their original languages. Robeson sang his way around the world to the elite, royalty and working people. He is known for, amongst many other songs, "Ole Man River " from Showboat, (1928) which he turned into a fighting protest song and removed the word nigger. He was loved by millions and he believed he had a responsibility to use his talents for the common good, often performing benefit concerts for social justice causes, civil rights, equality, workers rights, peace and democracy. He said "There truly is a kinship among us all , a basis for mutual respect and brotherly love ''He put forth a vision of what he called "the oneness of humankind" Ubuntu, and his son Paul Jr. remembers one of his principles as being " Succeeding without helping others is of little worth. As you climb help lift those left behind" and "A deeper understanding of one's own culture will lead to better understanding of other cultures . There is only one race the Human one."
Also performing at the gathering was Tayo Aluko who has written and produced a play about Paul Robeson. A Nigerian, Tayo lives in Liverpool and has brought the play for it's first tour of the USA. "Call Mr. Robeson" is being performed in Irvine, San Francisco Dearborn and Detroit. I also had the honor of meeting Tayo and seeing the play last night. Tayo plays Paul Robeson. It is currently a one man play with an accompanist Micheal Conliffe. Aluko, through stories and song portrays a deeply moving account of an introduction to Robeson's journey. I knew very little of Paul Robeson as a freedom fighter prior to seeing the play, but through Tayo's eyes, voice and dedication to telling the story of this amazing man, he brought to life for me a vivid and heart warming picture of Robeson's courage, strength and resiliance as well as his despair. Tayo's voice is rich and dark, like the man himself and it carries in it the promise of a new day as well as shedding historical tears, reminding us that the past connects us to the future. Our beloved ancestor Paul Robeson was definately in the house last night! Book this play near you now! www.tayoalukoandfriends.com Tayo, your friends in the USA welcome you back anytime, thank you for your work, we are touched by your gentle and beautiful spirit!
