On the Soviet Union

Paul Robeson (1898-1976) was an African-American singer, writer and actor. Son of a runaway slave, Paul Robeson unwaveringly dedicated his life and talents to the people. His ardent struggle against fascism and his struggle for the equality of African-Americans led him to the Soviet Union, being invited by Soviet filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein in 1934. Here, Robeson was enraptured by the flourishing of Soviet culture and music, and also the race relations and fraternity of the Soviet Union as a whole. Here, like millions around the world, he also grew a profound admiration and respect for the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and Joseph Stalin, at its head. Robeson even enrolled his son, Paul Jr., in a school in the Soviet Union. Although he passed away in 1976, Paul Robeson’s bright vivacity will continue in the hearts of the people for countless years to come: an implacable fighter against imperialist intrigue, a talented musician, a sensational internationalist and an irreplaceable artist of the toiler. His memoirs and articles on the Soviet Union provide deeply valuable and extraordinary insight into an extraordinary man during an extraordinary time.