We [must] realize that our future lies chiefly in our own hands. Paul Robeson More Quotes by Paul Robeson More Quotes From Paul Robeson The answer to injustice is not to silence the critic but to end the injustice. Paul Robeson diversity silence justice I shall take my voice wherever there are those who want to hear the melody of freedom or the words that might inspire hope and courage in the face of fear. My weapons are peaceful, for it is only by peace that peace can be attained. The song of freedom must prevail. Paul Robeson voice song inspire Every artist, every scientist, every writer must decide now where he stands. The artist must take sides. He must elect to fight for freedom or for slavery. I have made my choice. I had no alternative. Paul Robeson fighting choices artist My father was a slave and my people died to build this country and I am going to stay here and have a part of it just like you. Paul Robeson inspirational country father The faces and the tactics of the leaders may change every four years, or two, or one, but the people go on forever. Paul Robeson stars real dream Artists are the gate keepers of truth. We are civilization’s radical voice. Paul Robeson voice artist civilization I do not hesitate one second to state clearly and unmistakably: I belong to the American resistance movement which fights against American imperialism, just as the resistance movement fought against Hitler. Paul Robeson resistance movement fighting To be free . . . to walk the good American earth as equal citizens, to live without fear, to enjoy the fruits of our toil, to give our children every opportunity in life--that dream which we have held so long in our hearts is today the destiny that we hold in our hands. Paul Robeson freedom dream children As an artist I come to sing, but as a citizen, I will always speak for peace, and no one can silence me in this. Paul Robeson patriotism silence artist Art is not just to show life as it is, but to show life as it should be. Paul Robeson creativity should art Whether I am or am not a Communist is irrelevant. The question is whether American citizens, regardless of their political beliefs or sympathies, may enjoy their constitutional rights. Paul Robeson citizens political rights The man who accepts Western values absolutely, finds his creative faculties becoming so warped and stunted that he is almost completely dependent on external satisfactions, and the moment he becomes frustrated in his search for these, he begins to develop neurotic symptoms, to feel that life is not worth living, and, in chronic cases, to take his own life. Paul Robeson western-values creative men Through my singing and acting and speaking, I want to make freedom ring. Maybe I can touch people's hearts better than I can their minds, with the common struggle of the common man. Paul Robeson freedom struggle heart When I sang my American folk melodies in Budapest, Prague, Tiflis, Moscow, Oslo, or the Hebrides or on the Spanish front, the people understood and wept or rejoiced with the spirit of the songs. I found that where forces have been the same, whether people weave, build, pick cotton, or dig in the mine, they understand each other in the common language of work, suffering, and protest. Paul Robeson singing song people In Russia I felt for the first time like a full human being. No color prejudice like in Mississippi, no color prejudice like in Washington. It was the first time I felt like a human being. Paul Robeson prejudice russia color The intolerance of the few, or the risk of it, carries the day against the wider humanity of the many. Paul Robeson diversity humanity justice We ask for nothing that is not ours by right, and herein lies the great moral power of our demand. Paul Robeson great-power demand lying I've learned that my people are not the only ones oppressed... I have sung my songs all over the world and everywhere found that some common bond makes the people of all lands take to Negro songs as their own. Paul Robeson music land song We must join with the tens of millions all over the world who see in peace our most sacred responsibility. Paul Robeson responsibility peace world In the early days of my carer as an actor, I shared what was then the prevailing attitude of Negro performers :;that the content and form of a play or a film scenario was of little importance to us. What mattered was was the opportunity, which came so seldom to our folks ... Later I came to understand that the Negro artist could not view the matter simply in terms of of his individual interests, and that he had a responsibility to his people who rightfully resented the traditional stereotyped portrayals of Negros on stage and screen. Paul Robeson artist responsibility attitude
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