Paul Leroy Robeson was a Rights activist, a concert artist, actor, and professional football player. His activism was intertwined with his artistry career. He sung songs that promoted equal rights and called out injustice around the world. He starred in movie roles that pointed to his concern for human rights and Civil Rights. Robeson also used his sports talents to infiltrate white institutions such as becoming the third African American to be enrolled at Rutgers. He was benched when a southern football team from Washington and Lee University refused to take the field because Robeson was a Negro. Voted class valedictorian, in his speech he requested that his classmates work for equality for all Americans. His business agent expressed concern about his political involvement, but Robeson overruled him and decided that contemporary events trumped commercialism.
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Church Affiliation:A.M.E. Zion
Role in the Movement:Paul Leroy Robeson was a Rights activist, a concert artist, actor, and professional football player.
Birth Place:Prinston, NJ
Born Date:April 9, 1898
Deceased Date:January 23, 1976
Place Lived as Adult:New Brunswick, NJ; Harlem, NY; Hampstead, London; Enfield, CT; Philadelphia, PA
Church Location:New York, NY