The Chris Hedges Report: Gerald Horne on the unrelentingly radical life of Paul Robeson
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- Опубліковано 5 чер 2024
- Heroic dissidents are demonized, marginalized, physically and psychologically destroyed, or assassinated by the American ruling class. Before the persecution of Julian Assange, before the FBI assassination of Fred Hampton and Malcolm X, before the murder of Martin Luther King, there was the relentless campaign to silence the activist, actor, and singer Paul Robeson. Robeson, the most internationally known and revered Black American of his day, was a socialist and a militant who stood with the crucified of the earth.
Historian Gerald Horne is author of the biography "Paul Robeson: The Artist as Revolutionary," and is the Moores Professor of History and African American Studies at the University of Houston. In this episode of The Chris Hedges Report, he joins Chris hedges to discuss the life of “the most blacklisted performer in America,” linking the persecution of Paul Robeson directly to the persecution of Julian Assange, held today in a high security prison in London where his mental and physical health-like Robeson's at the end of his life-is in serious decline.
Chris Hedges interviews writers, intellectuals, and dissidents, many banished from the mainstream, in his half-hour show, The Chris Hedges Report. He gives voice to those, from Cornel West and Noam Chomsky to the leaders of groups such as Extinction Rebellion, who are on the front lines of the struggle against militarism, corporate capitalism, white supremacy, the looming ecocide, as well as the battle to wrest back our democracy from the clutches of the ruling global oligarchy.
Read the transcript here: therealnews.com/the-chris-hed...
Studio: Adam Coley, Cameron Granadino, Dwayne Gladden
Post-Production: Cameron Granadino
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I am a 75 year old of Indian origin (living in the UK). Paul Robeson was a hero to those of us on the left and I am so glad that Nehru and Indira's efforts in supporting him were mentioned here. Chris, thank you for all that you are doing for Julian Assange. The persecution and yes, even execution of truth tellers continues to this day.
The Poverty Caste of "Untouchables" found Work building the British Empire Railway in Kenya and became "Lion Supper", even as the Kenyan Revolution Movement "The Mau Mau were Persecuted by Wholesale Detaintion behind Barbwire and Starved, until they Swear allegeince to the British Empire.
Black Folks ARE NOT treated well in India. Do you DENY that ?!
@@nickames3808 absolutely correct 🙏😏
At the end of the day , you Indians use Africans , rake up , take and use the benefits those Africans gain , then you racist Indians turn your backs and do nothing for Africans!
America has a lot to pay for. Too many deaths laid at the feet of Europeans.
Paul Robeson is my favorite American. He should be a household name but has sadly been erased.
Thanks for honoring him. A real champion for all human beings.
Amen RIP.. brother PAUL ROBESON🙏🏿
Long live Paul Robeson.
Thank you for reminding us of one of the world's greatest heroes of antiracism.
One of the world’s greatest heroes. Period.
A pioneer. A multi-talented Black American, but more than that, a man of the people, not just Americans, ALL people.
Really
Glad to see Chris Hedges on The Real News Network. I knew nothing about Paul Robeson. Thank you for informing me about this amazing human!
Thank You Chris. We are ruled by truly evil people.
Tony :
We shall never submit to the "rule" of evil muthafuckas.
They continue to connive , cajole , mistreat , and oppress .
We do not submit .
I made sure to teach my daughter about the life of Paul Robeson, I want to make sure that this great man's contributions to humanity are never forgotten. I will always regard Robeson as the greatest human being that ever existed.
That’s beautiful. 🙏🏽💗🔥
I hate the fact that I am JUST learning about him… 🤦🏽♀️
Thank you, Gerald Horne and Chris Hedges, for shining some light on the life and times of the great Paul Robeson.
This was really interesting ...My dad now passed away absolutely loved admired every thing about Paul Robeson ..My dad was a opera fan ..and new a great deal about that subject ...And my dad said Paul Robeson voice was like silk deep with emotion feelings , But my dads politics was the very same as P.R. ..How my dad hated detested how PR was treated ...this was so good thank you ..oh and PR support for the Welsh miners they all loved him to ..PR touch many many people ....
I'm 62, I grew up I a lefty household but never found out about Paul Robeson until my 40s. It shows how well that blacklisting worked, they truly erased him.
Chris a great interview about Paul Robeson an American hero destroyed by the fascist owners.
Love your work Chris Hedges.
Great Chris thanks, and thanks to Dr Gerald Horne for the best information. And thanks to the Real News Network for broadcasting such a valuable programme.
Paul Robeson went to my high school (Princeton H. S. ) and I did not know it until years later. No mention.
That is just unexucusable; your high school should show great pride in having matriculated such a great man as Paul Robeson.
Thank you for bringing the great Prof. Gerald Horne.
Thank you Dr. Horne and Dr. Hedges on bringing those important truths and honoring the great ancestor Paul Robeson.
Paul Robeson the Great .
He won the hearts of people of all colors and regions, East and West , black and white .
This was during his life . Even after death , he continues to win the hearts, his courage, his intelligence, his talent in multiple fields, his Charm all are unmatched in the world . He did won my heart.
Mr Chris Hedges is doing this.
Long live Chris Hedges. May God strengthen his hands with thousands of like minded people to make this our country America a better
Country. .
Note : Paul Robeson the great also molded the character of Harry Belafonte, so much so that he was the financial supporter of MLK Jr. and getting together with others of conscious he raised money for the civil rights Marches .
Also notice the difference between Alexander the great who ruled by Military power , and this our PAUL ROBISON THE GREAT , who ruled by soft power of love , Courage , wisdom , talent and tact until his last .
( when not performing his arr and living with his sister in Philadelphia he would come to the performances of other artists and groom them after the show , groom the CUBS to become TIGERS of righteousness like him , and that is what happened with Belafonte after one of his performances .
Just like our Beloved Jesus and Mohammad taught us to work for self improvement and of society until our last , and that is what he did .
Thank you Chris, I will be increasing my support.
I remember Paul Robeson's operatic voice, a great singer. What a brilliant Renaissance Man.
This video is important, as Paul Robeson's legacy was badly tarnished by the events mentioned by Horne. I did not know that Robeson was an athlete and a lawyer as well as an actor and singer.
Yes he's the best that Black America produced.... Mr Robeson RIP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He also spoke and sung in at least 10 different languages ...
All-American in football and played Pro. Graduated honors from Columbia Law. Actor and opera singer. Fought for Human Rights throughout this planet!
Imagine what we can do if we had land of our own and were free to experience and explore all areas of our mental, physical and spiritual powers as a unified nation.
There is s statue of him on Rutgers University of him in football outfit. I didn't know about the law degree.
As ever, I'm still learning about great figures and events of history from Chris Hedges.
They can kill us, but they can't shut us up.
Gerald has SOOO MANY great books / YT vids too: Gerald Horne 1776 Counter-revolution ua-cam.com/video/C71DIrOmkBM/v-deo.html
Gerald Horne on Haitian Revolution ua-cam.com/video/r-jXJM-xXt8/v-deo.html
3 hour Gerald Horne interview ua-cam.com/video/aYwTDuwH2UU/v-deo.html
@rocks. Bit of a paradox you've given yourself there boss. 😞
Death, doesn't exsisy only Transition! He's an Ansestor Now
Joe Hill never died...
A fascinating and illuminating discussion on a Great Black American - Paul Robson... Thx Chris - and Thx Real News for producing this work.
"Left wing" to america is something else than "left wing" in any other country. In the US, "left wing" just means to NOT be rampantly racist and a right-wing extremist.
It wasn't always thus but it has been so for a lifetime.
@@ttystikkrocks1042
Well.... People who call themselves "lefties" in the US. Are people who simply want all that prosperity and freedom European workers and citizen has had for many, many decades already.
But not ONE of these civilized, modern, prosperous European countries would call themselves "leftist" They are all just to the right of center in political terms.
FAR from being on the "left wing", and also FAR from americas increasingly crazy right-wing extremism.
If you're referring to the Democratic party as "the US left-wing" and think that their agenda isn't "rampantly racist & right-wing extremist", then you're living in a fantasy.
@@rahGrebelsoulsound
My point exactly. Both political parties in the US are crazy right-wing extremists. Just because one is marginally less crazy than the other, doesnt make them "left wing"
There have always been real leftists since 1800s
in US, but often are small, at times
large.
I'm always disturbed by the dark side of the American experiment. Just trying to live a life of meaning and fulfillment can be a bad choice. The fact that a person can be subjected to the character attacks and unknowingly dosed with who knows what is truly bizarre.
Thank you so much for shedding light on Mr. Robeson. Mr. Harry Belafonte has always called him his mentor. There's another man that has been suppressed and has done so much great work without most people knowing his story.
And this regretful lack of knowledge about him is deliberate. The ruling political, corporate, media and academic elites want to keep progressive activists like Mr. Robeson and Eugene Debs hidden and forgotten lest they inspire people to action.
Danny Glover too.
Uncle Harry wanted to make a movie about Goddaddy. He must have ran into all kinds of nasty stuff.
That true in jamaica andrew nolness do not no right from wrong only need money to show half wicked to the poor
Thank you…..so educating not only for Americans but for everyone interested in justice
My papa was the first to teach me about Paul Robeson. An American hero that should never should be forgotten. Thank you for this discussion Chris and Mr. Horne fo this discussion. ❤️ Paul had so much talent, well educated, a giant. Reverence ✨️ ❤️Most of all his activism that aligned with his art. A voice that should never be forgotten. An American film should be made about his life and shown everwhere.
You weren't a shabby artist yourself Anna. "Il Miracolo" almost left me in tears.
@@barrymalkin4404
You have no clue
Chris Hedges deserve's an award. ❤❤❤
Great overview on the bio of a monumental hero. A deeper look at Robeson’s crusade of African American genocide is much needed in a time when some are charging Russia of committing this atrocity.
There are several prominent black Democrats that would've hated Professor Robeson for not following the program.
@@ok-sq9zx What do you mean?
@@nobilise 'may be referring to people like Condeliza Rice, and/ or Barrack Obama.
@@robertrichard6107 Both of them are the scum of the earth! Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Honduras - Rice and Obama's neocolonial foreign policies have probably led to the deaths of more people of color around the world than all the lynch mobs in American history. Paul Robeson would have given them a piece of his mind.
@user As well as black Repukelicons.
What can I stay to those who refuse to remember about the history I cannot forget?
I ask myself that same question many times with politicians in Washington who should know better, especially Democrats, clambering for war with Russia as if Vietnam and Iraq never happened. This politically opportunistic historical amnesia and pandering to the MIC among the Beltway Versailles courtiers is unforgivable and is something I won't forget.
***
LONG LIVE PAUL ROBESON, CHRIS HEDGES AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON'S GERALD HORNE!
Thank you both for all that history!
This is my hero. I have loved this man for 50 years
Even now at the age of 70, I am still learning so much. And the more I learn, the more angry I get. My adoptive father was a highly bigoted man who literally hated everyone.....except the Chinese. He voiced many times he wished he could go live there. His heritage was 100% Irish. Go figure.
Fascinating, and uplifting in ways. So many cling to their heritage or nationality as superior to all others.
Any idea why he was so drawn to China?
I teach my children one mantra often: “One World, No Flags.”
I am Irish. But it's not like that now in Ireland. Racism was just ignorance in Ireland as we weren't educated in these matters. For me I am totally non judgemental on all people. Only when I feel I have an learned enough truth, I can say that I will make my own mind up. In the USA Racists are institutionalised by laws in some states, ignorance & lack of empathy for another. And after everything that has happened in the US with Blacks & African Americans you would like to think that in this day & age racism would be eradicated by now. It's a shame. The more I learn I realise that there were very many influential black Americans in great positions of all aspects of life, but were undermined by the institutionalised system & even murdered. We have a lot to learn from these people.
Never too old to learn, in fact it'll keep us young + sharp 😏
I am getting more rad with age at 65. The new Disinformation Governance Board takes the cake. I hope they restored his legacy. Places should be named after PR
Was he Scottish-Irish? What did he think of the IRA? O'Connail?O'Connell? Pearce?
Thank you for shedding this light on this great man, and amazing human being. He will wear his crown!!
Yes Chris Hedges! You are a courageous man and a truth teller. Much live from Europe.
Paul Robeson....A Noble Spirit
My father was a 23 year old soldier fighting Franco when Paul Robeson came to the camp of warriors-“I gave him my cot, his long legs hung over the bed.” My father John Kambites said
Wow 😮
That’s amazing frfr 🙏🏽💗
I can remember when I was in high school and had a class that was black history. Paul Roberson was the first person that I learn about. And I never forgot his name. And my teacher name was Ms Black. Very good 👍🏿 teacher!
Thank You for Quality Journalism=========AAA+++Bedford, Texas
My grandmother adored Robeson, and used to play his recordings for us kids, while telling us his story.
I read his autobiography in the 9th, shared his story with my classmates, and was shocked that when they attempted to check out the book it was no longer available. We did not find it again before we graduated.
I'm so glad that Chris Hedges found a home with The Real News Network after being de-platformed from RT where he had a show called On Contact. Love seeing Chris Hedges. I do not agree with everything Chris Hedges states, but he gives me an honest and insightful angle into USA politics that very few commentators give. He should be praised for that.
Chris Hedges Is truly a Rare Gem in this morally decadent society. A man of truth great integrity and courage. We need a whole army of beings like him. Thank you Chris Hedges. Much Respect for You. 🦋
YES ! Wonderful combination !
Fuck RT.
Rutgers did itself proud with Robeson, and it is still doing it! Rutgers Class '65
Maybe the greatest scholar athlete that has ever lived!!
Thank you. - I hope some history teachers would start teaching us in high school
Such an interesting reflection on the original impact of othello and how it relates to its contemporary geo politics… and then how this manifested in many ways for Robeson
Excellent Food for Thought !!
Thank you so much for this. I first became aware of him from that video of him singing Joe Hill to workers. This was very imspiring, and the mk ultra stiff is simply terrifying
I've also heard people call MK ultra a conspiracy theory? Not sure how deep the rabbit hole goes on that one? How much of it is true, how much isn't?
@@maniblondelly Bill Wilson from AA was using the acid from Switzerland for awhile. The stories from the CIA sound about par for the course. They're the ones sending the NAZI's back into Ukraine since 1949.
Targeted individuals and gangstalking. V2k is real microwave frey effect
Isn't it cute, the 'We'll release documents of our crimes.... decades after it could help you stop them.' Neener neener? This was a fantastic and extremely relevant interview. Thank you!
Never cease to be amazed at the depths of human ignorance.
Especially by those one would expect to know better, politicians.
Julian Assange should not be extradited to the USA because it is a nation which uses torture - especially in Guantanamo Bay. It is against the Geneva Conventions to move someone to a nation which uses torture.
Psychiatric institutions constantly use torture to brainwash victims. ....
@@bettyjaneantanavicius9800 I hope that most of the psychiatric institutions uphold good medical practices. However, I feel very sorry to think that some of them might not.
Thanks for Professor Horne for this brilliant analysis of Paul Robeson's life.
Honored to listen to three greats, r.i.p. P.R. What misspent funding and human resources just like current war funding.
Were he alive today with all his vocal powers and energy, he'd be performing concerts in the battlefields of Ukraine and Russia, singing songs of peace in both languages. He cared about all people. Race, religion, language or ethnicity were no barriers to his humanity.
Thank you Chris and Gerald for inspiring me!
Here is a funny story. How little Americans know about the reach of their pop culture. Back in the mid 1970s, at the hieght of the communist backed labor movement in West Bengal, the songs of Paul Robeson became a super hit. Anthems. Especially Ol' Man River. Thousands and thousands bengali men, women, teenagers and kids learned that song in bengali (same melody different words). No one particularly cared where the song came from, but many thought Paul Robeson was a white guy. Later when everyone realized that he was African America, the bengalis loved him even more. Now in hindsight, it would be difficult to find any tune or person who could resonate so well, from so far away. Adios!
Brilliant interview! Thank you.
Awesome content! Thank you!
Thank you Mr Hedges for this splendid interview with the greatest Black artist of all time -- he one and only Paul Robeson!!
I've always been sceptic about artists in general and their positions on politics, maybe because artists to which I am contemporary of, do not deserve too much respect. But this is different, these black artists really took it upon themselves, their kantian inegrity has no parallel, they literally sacrificed it all for the prospect of creating a better world. My respects from the bottom of my heart is out for these fighters.
Paul Robeson wouldn't be wearing a Ukrainian flag lapel were he alive with all his artistic and political powers today. He'd be openly and loudly condemning the hypocrites, war mongers, and political opportunists of the Beltway Versailles for their pandering to the MIC for war with Russia while ignoring the plight of Yemeni, Syrian, Afghan and Palestinian peoples they could help is they cared enough to.
His son, Paul Robeson Jr, donated several thousand to a project that I put together in 1987, and he emceed the fundraiser event. I’ll never forget meeting him, and I’m always grateful for the support.
I'm white 54 years old. Living in Britain. Paul Robeson is my hero. His shadow of greatness, is still casting it's very long influence. ♥️ He never dies ♥️✊
Gerald Horne was not taught when I obtained my History degree that is never completed because another fact is discovered that was buried from us. As always ❤️
Most people don't know how easy it is to destroy upstarts in "our" country. I'm told that I'm on the FBI list by the Department of Commerce. Just what could I have done? I have no idea. I received a letter upon applying for a job with the Census. The Dept. of Commerce notified me to fetch my police records as a stipulation to be considered for a Census job. (I called the Department of Commerce and refused. I called the FBI, who claimed at first to have no idea what I could be talking about, and they later sent me forms in the mail. As a result of being born poor and black in 1957 in Mississippi, my life has necessarily been one of struggle. Being poor and black means having to be assertive in life...; in other words, being black actually means that you will be singled out by our federal government for some kind of special treatment for making any rash moves, let us say? Unbelievable. (Hello again, Chris and Gerald. Good to see you again. Your witnessing and enlightening us give of comfort.)
Hatred is really a disease, until it eat the haters alive..
This was so wonderful to see. I have a treasured album of his given to me by my Gran in law.. Robeson stayed with her on his visit to Australia, she was a member of the CPA and apprised me with some fascinating events from the time, a very human and lived experience .
I remember the first time I saw The Emperor Jones as a 12 year-old. For me, it was the first time I had seen a film that was truly thought provoking rather than mere entertainment. The social issues it raises are timeless but really come into focus when you reflect on what you just saw. Paul Robeson’s performance in this 1933 classic is incredibly powerful and memorable.
Wonderful. You guys are darned good by really big Texas standards..
I'm only learning about Robeson now from a book called The Heritage by Howard Bryant. Will add Horne's book to the list.
Hard not to feel depressed sometimes at one's own ignorance. Horne's entire body of work seems like necessary reading.
Long live democratic socialism and freedom
I love Robeson. This has been an incredibly enlightening/deepening, video on so many levels. Thank you Chris & Gerald…
Thank you Dr Gerald Horne, thank you Chris Hedges, thank you for all the people that came here to learn about this amazing human being.
Dr Horne- the glasses are EVERYTHING 😉👌🏽
The greatest american ever
Why do you think MOST art that comes out of "The EMPIRE" is "GARBAGE"🤷🏾
My father always taught me about Paul Robeson and how he came to Wales to support the miners.
Thank you for covering Mr. Robeson. The professor knew his stuff. In college I had to do a presentation on Paul Robeson and this discussion brings back the recollections of my research and study. That was a couple of decades ago.
We need courageous, intelligent, and wondrous people/humans like this man
My Mum was a huge fan of Paul Robeson. Not his singing and his acting alone but she knew about his political activities. She used to talk to me about the terrible treatment meted out to him by the American establishment. We had some of his records in our house . My Mum used to play them on an old fashioned Dansette record player. When I hear them tears come to my eyes . That beautiful haunting voice reminds me of my late mother.Chris Hedges and his colleagues are so brave to show us the wanton cruelty of the American rulers . This continues today. I have been watching American officials threaten a Cold War with China. They openly declare American superiority and exceptionlism . They are giving themselves the right to rule every country on earth. Do as we say or else. That attitude can lead to one thing. World War. It looks as though most other nations are waking up to the danger. Opposition is growing. . The US is being shunned. I am lucky. My life is coming to an end. I fear for my children and grandchildren.Terrified by a state that purports to bring peace.
Paul Robeson....what a hero! He jus keeps rolling along. You know he was a powerful force when the Govt/CIA had to resort to such dirty tactics to destroy his life. Such a loss to the world. Thanks for the brilliant interview.
Thank you.
I was blessed with a real maternal grandfather that's a direct descendant of Henry Brewster Stanton that hated Harry S. Truman with a passion. Being a student of history, the more I read of the real Harry Truman the more I came into Grandpa's camp. It's very good to hear Mr. Paul Robeson was the one that read Truman the riot act, never knew that either. It's hard to fathom Truman was the president that integrated the services, at least he dropped the charges against the Navy men in the Port Chicago explosion.
An amazing and heroic life
Attention:
Mr. Hedges this was a excellent
Interview.
Please bring him back to continue this Interview. 🤗
"Eyes gouged out " What a horrible thing to do to a fellow human being. Can any human being accept such horrible, monstrous, inhumane behaviour. All humanity's spirit is the piece of the divine we carry in us. Hardships make us less sensitive so we can survive, that's why a corrupt system depending on the jungle law of might is right, destroy's humanity, human compassion of placing one's self in the place of the sufferer and be kind and try to help relieve the suffering, when the system want's us to kill one another to get the biggest piece of the pie left for the masses by the corrupt Establishment and war profiteers and their tentacles the corrupt corporate media and corporations.
Hardships also sensitized us.The ore we understand of our oppression,the more resilient we become....
Very important to have this enlightening presentation with the nonsense around the Obamas in the bourgeois media, 🇺🇸 abd the EU.
I didn’t realize it at the time but……he was MY GUY…….He made Robinson look like an errand boy. Shame he was not more celebrated! ✊🏿👍🏿
Chris has the best intro music.
Thank you for bringing his life into the light again.
The bizarre portrayal of Robeson as the " black Stalin " reminds me of TIME Magazine portraying Putin as Hitler..l
Stellar presentation! Thank you!
Thank you Chris for this wonderful interview. Related, Dr. Horne discussed Ben Davis a few months ago on the Coming From Left Field podcast: ua-cam.com/video/JAtB0P3Ohuw/v-deo.html
Robeson was a force to be reckoned with! 🖤
Great work as always Chris. I had no idea he was such a well rounded comrade.
Well rounded? The man was a genius.
Yes!!! I grew up on his (Paul Robeson) music. What Is America To Me, a beautiful song sung by Mr Robeson.
This country’s ruling class has it coming. Not sure what it is but it certainly has it coming.
Happy Birthday, Paul. You remain an awe-inspiring inspiration.
Really good stuff, thank you
i was shocked when i first heard of the existance of Paul Robeson - one of the great black americans activists - understood socialism and fought for human rights and especially the working class around the world white and black but was eradicated from the american psyche - he was a very educated man and sports athelete as well as a great barotone singer - the abilities this man had and the achievements do not go unrecognised around the world except for the usa who decided they preferred to pretend he never existed