H95.18.1014

Paul Robeson
21-Sep-42
9 in HIGH x 10 in WIDE
(22.86 cm HIGH x 25.40 cm WIDE)
The Oakland Tribune Collection, the Oakland Museum of California. Gift of ANG Newspapers
H95.18.1014

People, Politics,Protest & Promise:African Americans in the News

Clipping on back reads, "September 21, 1942--Paul Robeson, noted Negro Baritone, led Moore Shipyard workers in singing the Star Spangled Banner yesterday after telling them: 'This is a serious job-winning this war against fascists. We have to be together.'" Robeson, wearing a suit, is standing a little bit higher than the shipyard workers, all with their mouthes open, singing. From Oakland Tribune, September 21, 1942, article titled "Robeson Sings, Pleads for Victory work at Shipyards": "Democracy spoke with a baritone voice yesterday to the thousands of war workers at the Moore shipyards, spoke and called on them to work harder, work faster that oppression might be defeated immediately. Paul Robeson, Negro operatic singer, one-time All-American football player, World War I shipyard worker, sang to the Moore workers and pleaded with them to get the job done, and soon. 'My own people are essentially laboring people,' he said, 'I stand here, therefore, as a true friend of labor, as a symbol of democracy.' Introduced by a Negro worker chairman of the yard's committee against descrimination, Robeson met with the workers at their lunch period. He spoke only briefly and sang for them as they squatted on piles of steel plate and ate their lunches." This photo appeared in the Oakland, Tribune September 21, 1942.

Used: Oakland Tribune

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