Paul Robeson
Born on April 9, 1898, son to a slave, Paul proved to everyone that a black man can do anything a white man can do! He got a nice scholorship to Rutgers College where he played All-American Football. He graduated valedictorian of his class, but he wasn't ready to stop. Going to Columbia Law School, he played professionally in the National Football Legue. As a side note he also sang and acted in off-campus productions.
Moving on with life, Paul was the first and only black actor for Shakespeare's Othello. As his job increased in popularity, he became more out-spoken politically and caught the attention of FBI and CIA. This happened because he was a supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. He spoke out for the rights of equality and for workers around the US, having fair treatment. He also was friends with the Soviet Union, but since he wasn't making any progress on the civil rights movement he was left with criticism.
When Paul was going overseas to continue his acting/singing career his passport was denied by the McCarran Act. He soon wasn't able to go on stage, scree, radio or television because of his anti-imperialism movement and because he was working together with the Communist Pary USA. In 1958, he was able to travel again and he had tours to places like Australia, New Zealand, and Britain but his health was too critical in 1963 to continue. On January 23, 1976, Paul died from a stroke. At his funeral 2,500 people paid their respects.
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