Here I Stand (book)
Encyclopedia
Here I Stand is a book written by Paul Robeson
with the collaboration of Lloyd L. Brown. While Robeson wrote many articles and speeches,Here I stand is his only book. It has been described as part manifesto
, part autobiography
. Published in 1958 by Beacon Press
it is dedicated to his wife Eslanda Goode Robeson
.
Robeson acknowledges his roots and dedicates himself to winning freedom for his people in America. He intends the book not to be an autobiography, but to give insight into his thinking.
Prologue
Robeson recalls his childhood and upbringing.
I Take My Stand
Robeson traces his development as actor/ singer from America to England which became his home from 1927 to 1939. There, he started to learn more about Africa, its cultures and languages. In 1934 he travelled to the Soviet Union and experienced absence of racism. He opines that communism
would be helpful to overcome colonialism
. Robeson affirms his belief in socialism
, but also asserts that he never joined the communist party. At length Robeson discusses his remarks at the World Peace Conference at Paris in 1948 where he asked Blacks to realize that the fight for a free world begins at home and the reactions to his speech. He fully concurs with the Ten Principles of Bandung.
Love Will Find Out the Way
While in England Robeson connected to the common man
. ”This belief in the oneness of humankind.. has existed within me side by side with the deep attachment to the cause of my own race”, a concept first felt through song. With the rise of fascism in Europe in the thirties, he recognized that the struggle for black liberation was inseparable from the anti-fascist struggle. He further relates how he somehow managed to maintain some international bonds during the years he has been restricted and how the documentary The Song of the Rivers
was created.
Our Right to Travel
Robeson’s passport was revoked in 1950 and he argues this was done because he is a spokesperson for Black people and their freedom. He contrasts his position – fighting for freedom - as being American, while the State Department and John Foster Dulles
act un-American. The right to travel is an important part of full citizenship. He reminds the reader of Ira Aldridge
who could only achieve artistic greatness by travelling abroad, and of W. E. B. Du Bois whose passport had been revoked although his presence at international congresses would have enhanced the standing of the United States.
The Time Is Now
Robeson, rejecting segregation
and gradualism
, demands full citizenship for Black people right there and then. He views the people of the newly freed nations in Africa and Asia as natural allies of the Black cause. Realizing that he cannot change individual prejudice, he demands that racist laws limiting Black equality have to go.
The Power of Negro Action
Robeson indicates that the moral support of the American people would be on the side of the Black people when they claim their “lawful rights with... earnestness, dignity, and determination...” The Black people have the power of numbers, of organization, and of spirit to be successful now. Important examples have been set: the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom
in Washington DC on May 17, 1957, and events in Little Rock
and Montgomery. Robeson calls for concerted action and effective leadership.
Our Children, Our World
In the epilogue Robeson is optimistic. Progress has been made, as seen in Little Rock. The appearance of Sputnik sends a message to work for peace. Racism is the enemy.
. He claims to have discovered common links in folk songs though the use of the pentatonic scale and opines that this pattern also extends into Chinese and African languages. The last section contains "A Later Statement by the Author" from August 1964 that reviews the progress in the struggle for freedom of the Black people, ending with "we surely can sing together: "Thank God Almighty, we're moving!"
Paul Robeson
Paul Leroy Robeson was an American concert singer , recording artist, actor, athlete, scholar who was an advocate for the Civil Rights Movement in the first half of the twentieth century...
with the collaboration of Lloyd L. Brown. While Robeson wrote many articles and speeches,Here I stand is his only book. It has been described as part manifesto
Manifesto
A manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions, often political in nature. Manifestos relating to religious belief are generally referred to as creeds. Manifestos may also be life stance-related.-Etymology:...
, part autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
. Published in 1958 by Beacon Press
Beacon Press
Beacon Press is an American non-profit book publisher. Founded in 1854 by the American Unitarian Association, it is currently a department of the Unitarian Universalist Association.Beacon Press is a member of the Association of American University Presses....
it is dedicated to his wife Eslanda Goode Robeson
Eslanda Goode Robeson
Eslanda Goode Robeson, the wife and business manager of Paul Robeson, was an American anthropologist, author, actor and activist.-Early years and marriage:...
.
Contents
ForewordRobeson acknowledges his roots and dedicates himself to winning freedom for his people in America. He intends the book not to be an autobiography, but to give insight into his thinking.
Prologue
Robeson recalls his childhood and upbringing.
I Take My Stand
Robeson traces his development as actor/ singer from America to England which became his home from 1927 to 1939. There, he started to learn more about Africa, its cultures and languages. In 1934 he travelled to the Soviet Union and experienced absence of racism. He opines that communism
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
would be helpful to overcome colonialism
Colonialism
Colonialism is the establishment, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory. It is a process whereby the metropole claims sovereignty over the colony and the social structure, government, and economics of the colony are changed by...
. Robeson affirms his belief in socialism
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
, but also asserts that he never joined the communist party. At length Robeson discusses his remarks at the World Peace Conference at Paris in 1948 where he asked Blacks to realize that the fight for a free world begins at home and the reactions to his speech. He fully concurs with the Ten Principles of Bandung.
Love Will Find Out the Way
While in England Robeson connected to the common man
Common man
Common man may refer to:*Common people*Champion of the Common Man*"Common Man progrum" on sport hosted by Dan Cole*The cartoon character by R K Laxman, The Common Man*The Common Man , the 1975 French film...
. ”This belief in the oneness of humankind.. has existed within me side by side with the deep attachment to the cause of my own race”, a concept first felt through song. With the rise of fascism in Europe in the thirties, he recognized that the struggle for black liberation was inseparable from the anti-fascist struggle. He further relates how he somehow managed to maintain some international bonds during the years he has been restricted and how the documentary The Song of the Rivers
The Song of the Rivers
The Song of the Rivers is a 1954 documentary film production by the East Germany's Deutsche Film-Aktiengesellschaft . Dutch filmmaker Joris Ivens was the leading director. The sprawling film celebrates international workers movements along six major rivers: the Volga, Mississippi, Ganges, Nile,...
was created.
Our Right to Travel
Robeson’s passport was revoked in 1950 and he argues this was done because he is a spokesperson for Black people and their freedom. He contrasts his position – fighting for freedom - as being American, while the State Department and John Foster Dulles
John Foster Dulles
John Foster Dulles served as U.S. Secretary of State under President Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1953 to 1959. He was a significant figure in the early Cold War era, advocating an aggressive stance against communism throughout the world...
act un-American. The right to travel is an important part of full citizenship. He reminds the reader of Ira Aldridge
Ira Aldridge
Ira Frederick Aldridge , was an American stage actor who made his career largely on the London stage and in Europe, especially in Shakespearean roles...
who could only achieve artistic greatness by travelling abroad, and of W. E. B. Du Bois whose passport had been revoked although his presence at international congresses would have enhanced the standing of the United States.
The Time Is Now
Robeson, rejecting segregation
Racial segregation
Racial segregation is the separation of humans into racial groups in daily life. It may apply to activities such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a public toilet, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home...
and gradualism
Gradualism
Gradualism is the belief in or the policy of advancing toward a goal by gradual, often slow stages.-Politics and society:In politics, the concept of gradualism is used to describe the belief that change ought to be brought about in small, discrete increments rather than in abrupt strokes such as...
, demands full citizenship for Black people right there and then. He views the people of the newly freed nations in Africa and Asia as natural allies of the Black cause. Realizing that he cannot change individual prejudice, he demands that racist laws limiting Black equality have to go.
The Power of Negro Action
Robeson indicates that the moral support of the American people would be on the side of the Black people when they claim their “lawful rights with... earnestness, dignity, and determination...” The Black people have the power of numbers, of organization, and of spirit to be successful now. Important examples have been set: the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom
Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom
The Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom was a non-violent demonstration in Washington, DC on May 17, 1957, and an early event of the African-American Civil Rights Movement.-Background:...
in Washington DC on May 17, 1957, and events in Little Rock
Little Rock Nine
The Little Rock Nine was a group of African-American students who were enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in 1957. The ensuing Little Rock Crisis, in which the students were initially prevented from entering the racially segregated school by Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus, and then...
and Montgomery. Robeson calls for concerted action and effective leadership.
Our Children, Our World
In the epilogue Robeson is optimistic. Progress has been made, as seen in Little Rock. The appearance of Sputnik sends a message to work for peace. Racism is the enemy.
Appendix
The 1971 Appendix contains a number of essays, including one by Benjamin C. Robeson about "My Brother, Paul,” and a statement by the author after having regained his passport. Also, Robeson includes an essay about the significance of the pentatonic scalePentatonic scale
A pentatonic scale is a musical scale with five notes per octave in contrast to a heptatonic scale such as the major scale and minor scale...
. He claims to have discovered common links in folk songs though the use of the pentatonic scale and opines that this pattern also extends into Chinese and African languages. The last section contains "A Later Statement by the Author" from August 1964 that reviews the progress in the struggle for freedom of the Black people, ending with "we surely can sing together: "Thank God Almighty, we're moving!"