" ie i 14 1A Here Paul Robeson is seen arriving for a concert at the International Peace Arch. Paul Robeson tells own story of his beliefs in Here | Stand WO PNE who nas had tne privilge of knowing Paul Robeson personally, knows with what simplicity he speaks and how what he says gives the impression of being born, as it were, full grown from his lips. It is as though he had thought it all out in advance, and while this is manifestly untrue, the reason for this strange effect is not hard to find: it lies in his integrity as a human being. For, here is a man who, whatever his problems in the fields of art, politics or even personal emotion, is of one piece. The man, the artist, the political person are all one. In Here I Stand (obtainable here at the People’s Co-op Bookstore, 337 West Pender Street, price $1.25), his first extended statement of his beliefs, Paul (and who can call him anything — else?) writes as he speaks. He is simplicity itself. His language is plain and direct and, sim- ultaneously, of the essence of. poetry. Listen to this para- graph: ‘Dear children of Little Rock—you and your parents and the Negro people of your community have lifted our hearts and renewed our re- solve, that full freedom shall now be ours. You are the pride and the glory of our people, and my heart sings warm and tender with love for you. Our country will never be truly great and good until you and all the rest of our young people are permit- ted to flower in complete ful- filment and bring your gifts to the highest levels of our nation’s life.” a at xt Full freedom is the theme of Paul’s book’ as it is the theme of his life, his singing, his acting—on the stage of the theatre or on the stage of history. His book is as simple (and complex) as the man himself and the man’s personal his- tory. After a prologue that sketches his youth and young manhood, he has written five chapters that detail what he believes, why he believes it and how it is to be achieved. The book is therefore short, -but it has the impact of high explosive. For this man who has never pulled his punches pulls no punches here. He puts the finger on those in high places and low who stand to profit by continued exploitation of his people, and working people every- where. He tells how this exploit- ation can be ended, not in some promised future, not after “gradual” education of the racists, monopolists and imperialists, but “now, today.” He does not argue his be- lief in scientific socialism, but the sum total of the experi- ences he relates (in the Soviet Union, in the United States, in Spain and England and in Africa) point up the inevitability of his belief and make a mockery of the slan- ders that have scandalized his name. With simple dignity and co- gent argument Paul answers every one of these slanders and moves on to more impor- tant matters: how to achieve full equality for the Negro people in America — now! How to achieve full freedom for the colonial peoples of the world. How to achieve a last- ing peace that will bring “complete fulfilment” for the entire human race. “Wise men and fools alike _ can see that a new star of peace has arisen in the East: Sputnik tells us all that war is indeed unthinkable, and that the nations of the earth must find the way to peace- ful co-existence — especially of the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Re- publics whose _ friendship would guarantee peace for all the world.” In conferring an honorary degree on Paul in 1943, Dr. Benjamin E. Mays of More- house College said: “We are happy to place (our) stamp of approval upon the leadership of a man who em- bodies all the hopes and aspirations of the Negro LACH ices But Paul embodies far more than this. He speaks for all human kind. DAVID ORDWAY VICTORIA woman who wove a play around a semi-legendary Native Indian has won first place, and a $500 award, in the B.C. Cen- tennial Committee’s one-act playwri ing competition. Mrs. Rona Haddon, 2627 Killarney Road, Victoria, was awarded first prize of $500 and $100 bonus for the best play: with an historical BC: theme, from 42 entries in the competition, Two plays were given hon- orable mention. They were Alien Heart, by Yvonne Fir- kins, 1860 Haro, Vancouver, and The Invisible Line, by Vivienne Charlton Chadwick, ~ 4107 Holland, Victoria. Mrs. Haddon, 33-year-old mother of three, has been writing for some years under the name of Rona Murray, and earlier won a provincial rama prize. Here splay. Bine> Ducks Feather and Eagle Down, was described by chief judge Mavor Moore, of Toronto, as “an imaginative and gen- uinely poetic version of an incident in close Indian his- Centennial banquet The Finnish Canadian Cen- tehnial Committee will hold a Kalevala banquet in Clin- ton Hall on March Zire. D p-m., with the theme for the banquet program drawn from both the B.C.. Centennial and the traditional Kalevala, Fin- land’s national epic. A wom- en’s choir, a folk dance group and an orchestra will er- form. S Centennial award challensité . tory, rovidin Ag p & ctors - opportunities to dire designers”. Moore is 4 known actor-producer Other judges were Sie of the . Canad Broadcasting Corporation Mit Vancouver, and Betty = chell, Calgary, well know? . theatrical circles. a Mrs. Haddon’s Play ig centred around, but 2° to, the story of 4 ¥ ‘nt0 Indian whaler who fell ca a coma and was consign dead. His tribe, on Van00! Island, began to put him ial? a cedar box to hoist high? a burial tree, but he W iis long for it. They broke. legs to fit him 1 brought him “alive 65 The supersiitious indi were terrified and eve? wife shunned him. For years he was a cripple cast from the tribe, living tirely alone on the beac in the woods. q oul dbholol hg mre ae \y } 10:10 p.m Every Su? DIAL 1070 LABOR-PROGRESS!V! POINT of VIEW bY NIGEL MORGAN BANQUET Celebrating the 36th Anniversary of the Canadian Communist Movement and Press GUEST SPEAKER TIM BUCK Sat., March 8, 6:30 p.m. UKRAINIAN HALL Tickets $1.25 each ® Tickets obtainable at 503 Ford Building, Pacific Tribune Office and People’s Co-op Bookstore. fieneranrmecnoe February 28, 1958— PACIFIC TRIBUNE—PAGE*