Paul & Eslanda Robeson
Voice and strategist of the Black cause
The singer-activist Paul Robeson and the anthropologist Eslanda "Essie" Robeson, who managed his career and was, in her own right, a writer and Pan-African campaigner through the McCarthy era.
01Why it matters
They were one of the great African-American intellectual couples, persecuted together for their activism and anti-racism.
02The conflict
Racism, the blacklist and FBI surveillance.
03The iconic moment
Eslanda facing down the House Un-American Activities Committee alone.
04What survived
The recording of "Ol' Man River"; the activist legacy of both.
05Frequently asked questions
Why is the story of Paul & Eslanda Robeson famous?
They were one of the great African-American intellectual couples, persecuted together for their activism and anti-racism.
How does the story of Paul & Eslanda Robeson end?
Eslanda facing down the House Un-American Activities Committee alone. The recording of "Ol' Man River"; the activist legacy of both.
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