Fitting tribute to Paul Robeson

By Devon Dick

ON MONDAY - the 36th anniversary of the death of Paul Robeson, singer, civil rights activist, actor, peace activist, socialist, linguist and anti-colonialist - the United States (US) Ambassador to Jamaica, Pamela Bridgewater, hosted the naming ceremony of the US Information Resource Centre in memory of Robeson. This significant and bold move by Bridgewater speaks to her vision and courage in identifying the greatness of Robeson who had a colourful past.

Robeson (1934-76) had his passport taken away by US authorities and he was for years unable to continue his career or his activism abroad. He was a target of the CIA and the anti-communism purge. Therefore, in spite of all his achievements, there is no national monument to Robeson.

Robeson was an admirer of the Soviet Union and protested the US engaging in World War II against USSR. He was against the proliferation of nuclear weapons. He was anti-colonialist and supported Jamaica's march to political Independence. Even today in the USA, detractors try to pin the label of socialist on US President Barack Obama to make him unelectable. Even today, most persons in Jamaica would rather be under British colonial rule and some dearly want the vestiges of colonialism, such as pledges to the Queen of England by Girl Guides and Rotary Clubs, to remain; not to mention retaining the Privy Council and Queen of England as our Head of State.

Therefore, Bridgewater's statement, armed by an essay written by Kathy Smith, a graduate of Manchester High - which captured the 'soul' of Robeson and made a powerful case for the naming to be given to Robeson - will reverberate in Washington, London and Kingston.

Shunned personal success

At the height of his career, Robeson was the most famous and recognisable person of African origin. He was wealthy but he shunned personal success and instead used arts as a platform to agitate for full freedom for all. He popularised Negro spirituals when middle-class African Americans were shunning them. He loved Negro spirituals because they addressed issues that gave worth to people of African origin; created desire for freedom and justice and belief that good will triumph over evil. He supported trade unions and the agitation of workers for better working conditions. His message is still relevant because the recent release from the International Labour Organisation was that 900 million workers are living below the poverty line and 27 million people have lost their jobs since the financial crisis, and young people are thrice as likely to be unemployed when compared to other age cohorts, and there is a need for 600 million jobs within the next 10 years.

Robeson wrote the book Here I Stand, which is a testimony to his life of standing up for principles of equality and justice. He risked his career rather than renounced his beliefs. "Here I stand" are words of Martin Luther, German priest, who challenged certain practices and teachings of the powerful Roman Catholic Church in the 15th century.

And the Christian church has never been the same since Luther. This naming is a step in the right direction of recognising the contribution of Robeson to the world. Robeson was influenced by National Hero Marcus Garvey and he performed to great acclaim and large audiences at Ward Theatre, Race Course and Montego Bay in 1948. He remarked how he was treated humanely in Jamaica, bearing in mind that segregation was legal in the USA at that time. And he identified with the struggles of Jamaicans.

Robeson would regret that at the naming ceremony the documentary did not mention his visit to Jamaica, the place where a fitting tribute to him was given during Jamaica's Jubilee from the rule of Britain.

Rev Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew. Send comments to columns@gleanerjm.com