a vigorous opponent of racism, picketing the White House, refusing to sing before segregated audiences, starting a crusade against lynching, and urging Congress to outlaw racial bars in baseball.” While he was touring, he spent many years in the Soviet Union and praised the government’s principles of socialism. These principles fit his college vision of a society that would look beyond the color of a person’s skin. “Of course during his many visits to the country, care was taken to keep him unaware of the human rights violations taking place, including mass killings of political opponents and artists.” (1999, Kane) Robeson returned to the U.S. to preach the value of equality.Unfortunately his views of the Soviet Union caused him to be accused of treason by the “witch-hunts ” of the House Un-American Actives Committee (HUAC.) It was during these trials that Robeson showed the world he would stand true to his convictions. After the terrible crimes Stalin committed became public, most advocates of communism backed down but, not Paul Robeson. He told the National Review, “That it didn’t matter: he believed in the idea, regardless of how it might be abused.” When the HUAC asked him why he didn’t stay and live in the Soviet Union, he responded, “Because my father was a slave, and my people 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 drive me from it. Is that clear?” With those 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 sc...
