PAUL ROBESON

CURRICULUM GUIDES FOR EDUCATORS

These educational curriculum guides are designed to accompany the Paul Robeson

Educators Guide and Student Learning Activities.

Contents:

Introduction to Paul Robeson Page 3

Achievements Page 4

Accomplishments Page 5

Biography Page 7

Paul Robeson Quotes Page 12

Paul Robeson and the

Trade Union Movement Page 21

For More Information, contact

Douglas Calvin

lunasol@igc.org

Paul Robeson

Paul Robeson was one of the most inspiring and gifted artist-activists of

this century. During his heyday, he was one of the best known Americans

throughout the world. His father was a hard-working preacher and

university graduate who was born a slave and escaped on the

Underground Railroad. His mother was a Quaker schoolteacher who died

when he was a child. He excelled as an athlete, scholar, actor, musician,

activist and a formidable voice for peace, justice, and unity with

movements around the world. He used his talents to address the

aspirations of the worlds' oppressed and working classes, and to challenge

institutional and cultural racism, bigotry and violence. As a leader in the

African-American community, he extended his solidarity to peoples of

diverse backgrounds throughout the world, in Africa, the Soviet Union,

China, the Americas, to trade union movements, and peace activists

internationally. He used his musical skills to express the oneness of the

human spirit and to advance the cause of freedom. Due to his outspoken

views, he was subjected to attacks by the extreme-right wing and was

persecuted in the difficult days of McCarthyism. His memory is largely

forgotten in his own country. He is an exemplary role-model for young

people today. His legacy provides a wonderful forum to examine civil and

human rights movements throughout this century. We invite you to

continue that legacy for unity, solidarity and aspirations for peace.