The Best Paul Robeson quotes

Artists are the gatekeepers of truth. — Paul Robeson

As an artist I come to sing, but as a citizen, I will always speak for peace, and no one can silence me in this. — Paul Robeson

Artists are the radical voice of civilization. — Paul Robeson

Artists are the gate keepers of truth. We are civilization’s radical voice. — Paul Robeson

The talents of an artist, small or large, are God–given… They are a sacred trust. — Paul Robeson

The artist must elect to fight for Freedom or for Slavery. — Paul Robeson

Once we are joined together in the fight for peace we will have to talk to each other and tell the truth about each other. How else can peace be won? — Paul Robeson

As Americans, preserving the best of our traditions, we have the right–nay the duty–to fight for participation in the forward march of humanity. — Paul Robeson

I do not hesitate one second to state clearly and unmistakably: I belong to the American resistance movement which fights against American imperialism, just as the resistance movement fought against Hitler. — Paul Robeson

Every artist, every scientist, every writer must decide now where he stands. The artist must take sides. He must elect to fight for freedom or for slavery. I have made my choice. I had no alternative. — Paul Robeson

Through the years I have received my share of recognition for efforts in the fields of sports, the arts, the struggle for full citizenship for the Negro people, labor’s rights and the fight for peace. — Paul Robeson

You want to shut up every Negro who has the courage to stand up and fight for the rights of his people, for the rights of workers, and I have been on many a picket line for the steelworkers too. — Paul Robeson

At every step the vast majority have expressed horror at the idea of an aggressive war. — Paul Robeson

For many years I have so labored and I can say modestly that my name is very much honored all over Africa, in my struggles for their independence. — Paul Robeson

The Korean war has always been an unpopular war among the American people. — Paul Robeson

If the American Negro is to have a culture of his own he will have to leave America to get it. — Paul Robeson

But the deep desire for peace remained with the American people. — Paul Robeson

And, gentlemen, they have not yet done so, and it is quite clear that no Americans, no people in the world probably, are going to war with the Soviet Union. — Paul Robeson

Americans will be amazed to find ho many of the modern dance steps are relics of the African heritage. — Paul Robeson

I said it was my feeling that the American people would struggle for peace, and that has since been underscored by the President of these United States. — Paul Robeson

Whether I am or am not a Communist is irrelevant. The question is whether American citizens, regardless of their political beliefs or sympathies, may enjoy their constitutional rights. — Paul Robeson

Like any other people, like fathers, mothers, sons and daughters in every land, when the issue of peace or war has been put squarely to the American people, they have registered for peace. — Paul Robeson

I did a long concert tour in England and Denmark and Sweden, and I also sang for the Soviet people, one of the finest musical audiences in the world. — Paul Robeson

We must join with the tens of millions all over the world who see in peace our most sacred responsibility. — Paul Robeson

Yes, peace can and must be won, to save the world from the terrible destruction of World War III. — Paul Robeson

The patter of their feet as they walk through Jim Crow barriers to attend school is the thunder of the marching men of Joshua, and the world rocks beneath their tread. — Paul Robeson

I’ve learned that my people are not the only ones oppressed… I have sung my songs all over the world and everywhere found that some common bond makes the people of all lands take to Negro songs as their own. — Paul Robeson

The course of history can be changed but not halted. — Paul Robeson

I am truly happy that I am able to travel from time to time to the USSR the country I love above all. I always have been, I am now and will always be a loyal friend of the Soviet Union. — Paul Robeson

We ask for nothing that is not right, and herein lies the great power of our demand. — Paul Robeson

Art is not just to show life as it is, but to show life as it should be. — Paul Robeson

Sometimes great injustices may be inflicted on the minority when the majority is in the pursuit of a great and just cause. — Paul Robeson

In Russia I felt for the first time like a full human being. No color prejudice like in Mississippi, no color prejudice like in Washington. It was the first time I felt like a human being. — Paul Robeson

The faces and the tactics of the leaders may change every four years, or two, or one, but the people go on forever. — Paul Robeson