The Paul Robeson Community Center South Side Cultural Society, Inc. 6569 South Vermont Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90044
April 8, 1998 will be the centennial of the birth of Paul Robeson. Sad to say, the vast majority of Americans do not even recognize the name of this great American Renaissance man - Paul Robeson.
Mr. Robeson demonstrated scholarship and skill in all his endeavors: he graduated from Rutgers University as a Phi Beta Kappa scholar and made All-American in football for two years. He was one of the first African Americans to graduate from the Columbia University Law School. He was renowned for his vocal rendition of spirituals and "Old Man River." His portrayal of "Othello" on Broadway received universal acclaim.
Paul Robeson was more than a man with a keen mind, resonant voice, and athletic prowess. He was deeply committed to the struggle for peace and against racism; however, he paid dearly for the courage of his convictions. During the 1950s, when the country was consumed with anti-Communist witch hunts, Paul Robeson was hounded by the House un-American Activities Committee until he could no longer work anywhere in this country. Denied a United States passport, Robeson was virtually driven into exhile.
Unfortunately, most young people today know nothing about the accomplishments and struggles of Paul Robeson. And, while some cities do have libraries, university buildings, and public schools which bear his name, references to this important historical figure seem to have been deliberately purged from high school and college history books.
Many people across America, wanting to correct this unacceptable historical wrong, have begun a campaign for a Paul Robeson Centennial Stamp to be issued in 1998. The Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee will not honor this request unless they receive thousands of signed letters very soon.
We need you and those you know to write a brief, support letter NOW to:
Dr. Virginia Noelke, Chair Citizen's Advisory Stamp Committee 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Room 4474 Washington, DC 20260-2437Thank you sincerely,
Irving Kessler, Ph.D. Coordinator
For further information, phone: (818) 986-3606; fax (818) 986-5415; or write to: 14001 Margate Street, Sherman Oaks, CA 91401-5748