The Singing Protest of Paul Robeson
Summary
This episode delves into the life of Paul Robeson, an extraordinary actor, athlete, and singer whose global career was overshadowed by his political activism. His criticism of U.S. race relations and foreign policy during the Cold War led to the seizure of his passport, severely impacting his livelihood. The podcast explores how this government suppression prompted Robeson to stage influential concerts at the U.S.-Canada Peace Arch, highlighting themes of free speech and America's unfulfilled promises, which still resonate today.Episode description
The accomplished actor, athlete and singer was an outspoken leftist, which made him a target in mid-1900s America.
The reasons Paul Robeson was a beloved figure in the middle of the 20th century are many. He was a professional athlete, an accomplished actor and a sought-after singer. Yet for some in American government, his role as an outspoken activist defined him.
Robeson's criticism of his country's race relations and foreign policy made him a pariah to those who viewed him as an ideological enemy of the U.S. in the emerging Cold War. Eventually his passport was seized, which threatened his livelihood and led to a series of concerts at the U.S.-Canada border in Washington.
Crosscut's resident historian Knute Berger told the tale of those concerts at the Peace Arch in Blaine in a recent episode of his Mossback's Northwest video series, but there is more to the story.
For this episode of the Mossback podcast, Berger and co-host Sara Bernard talk about Robeson's concerts in greater depth. They discuss why Robeson's politics were considered such a threat, how the travel ban impacted his career and how anti-Soviet fervor affected those who shared Robeson’s beliefs, if not his celebrity.
Before listening, we suggest you watch the Mossback's Northwest episode about Paul Robeson here.
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Credits
Hosts: Sara Bernard, Knute Berger
Producer: Jonah Cohen
Executive producer: Mark Baumgarten