Stuff You Missed in History Class

Episode: SYMHC Classics: Paul Robeson
Hosts: Tracy V. Wilson & Holly Frey
Date: October 11, 2025 (originally aired October 3, 2022)

Overview of the Episode

This episode explores the life and legacy of Paul Robeson—renowned singer, actor, athlete, and civil rights activist—focusing particularly on his role in the 1949 Peekskill Riots. Tracy and Holly provide an in-depth discussion of Robeson’s accomplishments, activism, persecution during the Red Scare, and the racially- and ideologically-charged violence that surrounded his 1949 concert in Peekskill, New York. The episode delves into the intersections of race, politics, and free speech during a volatile era in American history.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Paul Robeson – Early Life and Achievements

• Robeson’s Background

  • Born in Princeton, NJ in 1898 to William Drew Robeson (formerly enslaved) and Maria Louisa Bustill (teacher) (04:19).
  • Excelled academically and athletically, becoming Rutgers' first black student athlete and class Valedictorian (04:51).
  • Suffered physical and institutional racism at Rutgers but persevered as a role model (05:29).
  • Notable Quote:
    "I wasn't just there on my own. I was the representative of a lot of Negro boys who wanted to play football and wanted to go to college. And as their representative, I had to show that I could take whatever was handed out." — Paul Robeson (05:53)

• Transition to Law and Performance

  • Attended Columbia Law School, but limited job prospects due to racism (06:18).
  • Pivoted to acting and singing; renowned for his “magnificent and celestial” voice (06:52).
  • Broke color barriers in theater, notably starring as Othello in London (1930) and on Broadway (1943) (06:52).

Growth as an Activist & Internationalism

• Anti-racism and Anti-fascism

  • Became increasingly outspoken against racism, fascism, and for labor rights (07:28).
  • Saw his career and art as vehicles for democracy and equality.

• Visit to the Soviet Union

  • Found acceptance and respect denied to him in the US (07:53).
  • Began learning Russian, performed Russian songs (07:53).
  • Notable Insight:
    Robeson’s affinity for the USSR dramatically shaped how he was perceived during the Cold War (08:32).

The Paris Peace Congress and Backlash

• 1949 Paris Speech and Media Distortion

  • Delivered a peaceful, anti-war speech at the Paris Peace Congress (08:56):
    • “We are resolved that… wealth… shall be distributed in an equitable manner among all our children. And we don’t want any hysterical stupidity about our participating in a war against anybody… We do not wish to fight the Soviet Union.”
  • Associated Press misattributed or distorted his remarks, painting him as a traitor (09:51).
  • The New York Times amplified condemnation and likened U.S. policy to fascist regimes (10:24).
  • Notable Quote:
    "We denounce the policy of the United States government, which is similar to that of Hitler and Goebbels." — NYT reporting on Robeson, April 21, 1949 (10:24)

• Robinson vs. Robeson

  • The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) sought to pit Jackie Robinson against Robeson (11:22):
    • Robinson testified Robeson “did not speak for all black people.”
    • Robinson: "We can win our fight without the communists, and we don't want their help." (12:06)
  • Robeson maintained support for Robinson, despite being deeply hurt (12:50):
    • “I have no quarrel with Jackie... The House Committee has insulted Jackie... insulted the entire Negro race.” (12:50)

The Peekskill Riots (1949)

• Lead-up and Local Climate

  • Annual summer concert planned near Peekskill, NY—a region with friction between locals and mostly Jewish summer tourists (18:49).
  • Hostile local media equated Robeson and the concert with Communism; anti-Semitic and anti-Communist rhetoric ran rampant (19:21).
  • Organizers’ pleas for police protection ignored; police did not intervene (21:53).
  • Veterans’ and civic organizations led the protest (21:53).

• Violence at the First Concert Attempt (Aug 27)

  • Protesters destroyed the concert site, burned books and effigies, and shouted racist and anti-Semitic slogans (22:43).
  • Disturbing Quote:
    "We're Hitler's boys here to finish the job." — chanted at protest (22:43)
  • Police dispersed the crowd only after the event was cancelled; mob violence spread into the local community (23:54).
  • Quote:
    "Our objective was to prevent the Paul Robeson concert. And I think our objective was reached." — American Legion leader Milton Flint (23:54)
  • Robeson: "They were not merely attacking me personally, they were attacking the negro people, the Jewish people, and all who stand for peace and democracy in America." (23:54)

• Second Concert Attempt (Sept 4) and Mass Violence

  • Rescheduled concert drew 15,000–25,000 and was surrounded by union “human wall” (24:51).
  • Concert itself peaceful, but departure was harrowing—local police herded concertgoers into bottlenecks where rocks were thrown at cars and violence erupted (25:30–27:18).
  • Memorable Detail:
    Pete Seeger’s child was covered in shattered glass as rocks smashed through car windows (26:19).
    Seeger kept those rocks and later incorporated them into his home’s chimney (26:19).
  • Over 140 people were injured; violence targeted black and Jewish attendees (27:18).

• Official and Social Reactions

  • Press often condemned violence but suggested Robeson provoked it (27:39).
  • Official investigation absolved most police; ACLU concluded police allowed violence (28:08).
  • Notable Insight (ACLU):
    "...the rioters believed they were carrying out a patriotic duty..." and had tacit approval from authorities (28:38).

Aftermath and Legacy

• Continuing Impact of the Riots

  • No one prosecuted; legal actions (including Robeson’s civil suit) dismissed (35:32).
  • Riots ignited both anti-Communist fervor and inspired civil rights/labor protest songs, such as Pete Seeger’s “Hold the Line” (34:55).
  • Musicians associated with Robeson blacklisted; careers damaged (35:48).

• Devastation of Robeson’s Career and Life

  • Robeson lost income and home, was surveilled by the FBI, and denied a passport for years (36:11–38:28).
  • Created the newspaper Freedom to continue activism (38:28).
  • Civil Rights Stance:
    "I am not being tried for whether I am a communist. I am being tried for fighting for the rights of my people." — Robeson, HUAC testimony (39:42)
  • Refused to disavow Communism; would not sign loyalty oaths (39:10).
  • Quoted slavery and racial injustice as central to his refusal to cooperate with HUAC (39:42).

• Complex Legacy Regarding the Soviet Union

  • Despite growing evidence of Soviet atrocities, Robeson never publicly denounced Stalin or other Communist leaders (43:11), possibly believing this would fuel anti-Communist hysteria in the U.S.
  • Published a notably sycophantic eulogy for Stalin in 1953 (43:11).

• Passport Restored and Late Life

  • After the 1958 Supreme Court decision Kent v. Dulles, Robeson’s passport was restored, but his career and mental health had been shattered (44:59).
  • Retreated to a reclusive life; attempted suicide in 1961; died in 1976 (45:41–46:04).
  • Jackie Robinson, in his autobiography, later expressed regret over testifying against Robeson and increased respect for him (45:41).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Robeson on Playing at Rutgers:
  "I had to show that I could take whatever was handed out." (05:53)

• Robeson on Paris Speech Fallout:
  “I have no quarrel with Jackie... The House Committee has insulted Jackie. It has insulted me. It has insulted the entire Negro race.” (12:50)

• Protester Slogan:
  "We're Hitler's boys here to finish the job." (22:43)

• Pete Seeger’s Escape:
  “One of his children in the floor of the car covered in shattered glass...” — on crowd violence (26:19)

• On Suppression of Speech:
  "The principal danger… is that those who think of themselves as good Americans should become panicky and forget… the great value of democratic principles… freedom of speech, press, and orderly assembly." (20:50)

• Robeson at HUAC:
  "I am not being tried for whether I am a communist. I am being tried for fighting for the rights of my people." (39:42)

• On America’s Hypocrisy:
  "Gentlemen, I still say that this United States government should go down to Mississippi and protect my people. That is what should happen." (40:19)

• Robeson’s Praise of Stalin:
  “...with what deep kindliness and wisdom he leaves tens of millions all over the earth bowed in heart aching grief.” (43:11)

Major Segments & Timestamps

• Robeson’s Background & Early Career — 04:19–07:28
• Activism and Soviet Visit — 07:28–08:56
• Paris Peace Congress & Fallout — 08:56–12:50
• Peekskill Riots: Background to First Riot — 18:07–23:54
• Second Concert & Violence — 24:15–27:18
• Aftermath & Investigations — 27:39–29:10
• Ku Klux Klan and Local Fallout — 33:20–34:55
• Civil Rights, Cold War Backlash — 35:48–39:10
• HUAC Testimony & Robeson's Later Years — 39:10–46:04

Conclusion

The episode provides a vivid, nuanced portrait of Paul Robeson as a brilliant, brave, and controversial figure who confronted injustice and paid a heavy personal price. Tracy and Holly emphasize how Robeson’s story touches on enduring American themes—racism, freedom of speech, state repression, and the fraught politics of protest. They invite listeners to appreciate Robeson’s heroism, even as his alignment with authoritarian regimes complicates his legacy.

For Further Reading or Listening:

• Explore the album “The Peekskill Story” by Robeson, Seeger, and others (34:55)
• FBI’s Vault: Paul Robeson files (36:11)
• Jackie Robinson’s autobiography “I Never Had It Made” (45:41)
• Watch for a (possibly forthcoming) Steve McQueen-directed biopic of Robeson (46:12)

This summary captures the episode’s essential narrative, key historical contexts, and memorable moments in the hosts’ own articulate style.