. RRs te ee a ee i ek nensstanttasih sata a a er da a erent einen eee — _ es | > i They came to honor Paul Robeson On the 30th of November, in Toronto, there took place a concert with an unusual purpose. It was to raise money to contribute to the naming of a row of seats — Row R — in Toronto’s new Massey Hall after Paul Robeson. The concert was held in the original ‘Massey Hall, constructed in 1894, where Robeson often appeared. For many of the young generation Robeson may be somewhat of a mystery — disc jockeys occasionally play his classical recordings, and spiritual, Christmas songs, never his powerful defence of the working people, or of the liberation and revolutionary move- ments of the world. For an older generation Paul Robeson stands, as well as for a talent and a bass voice so unique as never — to be mistaken, also for an unremitting fight against racism and fascism. In 1938 Robeson went to Spain to support the elected Republican government against Franco’s fas- cist insurgents. He said in his book, Here I Stand: “*... In Spain I sang with my whole heart and soul for these gallant fighters of the International Brigade. A new, warm feeling for my homeland grew within me as I met the men . .. who had crossed the sea to fight and die that another ‘government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth’ ... My heart was filled with admiration and love for these white Americans, and there was a sense of great pride in my own people when I saw that there were Negroes, too, in the ranks ...” In the album, Songs of Free Men, made long ago by Columbia Records, Robeson sang two of the Spanish civil war songs. _ : The concert in Toronto to help ensure Robeson’s name on. Massey Hall’s Row R, at $1,000 a seat, brought together the many talents of the Shevchenko Ensemble, Salome Bey, Leon Bibb, Ada Lee, Robert Earl Jones, and as master of ceremonies, Max Fergu- son. For many a member of the audience who had seen and heard Robeson, memories rushed back, not only of his resonant voice and the world-wide content of . his songs, but of Robeson on the picket line, Robeson. with the Welsh miners, walking with the common people. He comments in his book that, ‘‘A great joy during the period when I was not even permitted to travel to Canada (for which no passport is required from the United States), were the concerts at the border that were sponsored by the metal miners of Canada.”’ Barred from attending the convention of the Mine, the miners to sing at the Peace Arch on the British Columbia/Washington border. ‘‘T shall always remember that concert on May 18, 1952, when 30,000 Canadians came from many miles The artists who contributed their talents to. the concert tribute to Paul Robeson, performed voluntari- ly, with the aim of assisting in the purchase of Row R at the new Massey Hall in Robeson’s name. Salome Bey took time out from regular perfor- mances to join in the tribute. Leon Bibb, in animated recitation and song won exceptional applause for his contribution on the Black freedom struggle in the USA. Ada Lee added her rich voice to the whole. Pablo Neruda’s Ode to Paul Robeson was read by Robert Earl Jones. The Shevchenko Ensemble, male choir, mandolin orchestra and dancers, reflected some of the inter- nationalism and wide range of musical moods per- formed by Robeson. Utilizing its own able soloists, the Ensemble, led by artistic director Eugene Dolny, performed such favorites as Dark-Eyed Cossack Girl, Get on Board, and Old Man River, drawing warm response from the audience. The concert was sponsored by the Paul Robeson Commemorative Committee and the National Shev- ._ chenko Musical Ensemble Guild of Canada. away to hear me, to demonstrate their friendship and to protest against all barriers to cultural exchange.” To Black workers in the USA, Robeson had this to say: ‘‘... on your shoulders is the-responsibility to rally the strength of the whole trade union movement, white and Black, to the battle for liberation of our people . .. to see to it that the leadership of the AFL- CIO, which has shown much concern for the ‘crusade for freedom’ abroad, shall not continue to be silent and unmoving in our crusade for freedom at home.”’ And from John Henry to Joe Hill, Robeson sang of the workers’ struggle. Even in songs like Old Man River, he added his own sense of struggle, Ever. afterward, when that song appears on a program, some will prick up their ears to hear whether the Robeson words are used: Instead 6f, get a little drunk and you land in jail, it’s, show a little spunk and you land in jail. Instead of, tired of living and afraid of dying, it’s I'll keep fighting until I’m dying. To im- agine Robeson separated from the-hard, unflagging struggle would be to lose sight of the real man. Robeson had to battle simply for the right, as an _ artist, to perform, to travel, but he did-battle in many broader causes, causes unpopular with the ruling class of the USA, like the formation of the Worl¢ Peace Council in 1949. Robeson was present and de- clared it unthinkable that Black Americans ‘‘could go to war on behalf of those who have oppressed them ’ for generations against the Soviet Union which in one generation has raised our people to full human digni- ty.” He discovered the Soviet Union through his deep interest in developments in Africa. It was an African who told him of the amazing rise of the Yakut people of the USSR, and Robeson went to see for himself. He later wrote: ‘‘..: I have publicly expressed my belief in the principles of scientific socialism, my deep conviction that for all mankind a socialist: society represents an advance to a higher stage of life ...” Robeson was not shy about expressing his views, “neither should we be who admire him and share his views. The Toronto concert to commemorate the name of Paul Robeson was part of a process. In the new Mas- sey Hall he will be honored permanently as a great ’ artist and humanitarian. Today, not even-the estab- _ lishment that hounded him will deny him that. This leaves the way open for many another form of commemoration of his name and his life-long struggle, of his mahy concerns, his oneness with the working Mill and Smelter Workers, Robeson was invited by - people and the great liberating tide sweeping through the world. U.S. Native peoples arrive in Washington after a five month march beginning in San Fran- cisco. About 100 representatives from several different tribes stopped at towns and cities along the way to draw public attention to the plight of the indigenous population who face political, economic and cultural discrimination. : PACIFIC TRIBUNE—JAN. 9, 1981—Page 10 @ a =e : Ra eer aie RELIES. ptnegea rep apaarmee erp per UF ae IED cc NS SN RN ee as WORLD NEWS SSCA a ac nc enema A Ee ea SN Re UN resolution affirms Palestinian rights _ UNITED NATIONS — A resolution was passed Déc. 15 which termed the Camp David accord, and any other agreements which “ignore, usurp, Violate or deny the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people” unacceptable. The resolution said that the UN was “‘against all partial agreements and separate treaties which are a gross violation of the rights of the Palestinian people” and declared that any such agreement is invalid. The document stressed that no state has the right to take any steps or conduct negotiations affecting the future of the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights without the full participation of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Millions of children face starvation UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations Children’s Fund (UN- ICEF) has as its stated goal, ‘‘A future for every child’’. Yet the fall 1980 UNICEF report says ‘‘ The threat of severe malnutrition and even starvation faces 50 to 60% of children of poorer countries”. It says ‘‘In many parts of Africa, almost every child under five suffers from some protein malnutrition. And in India, 75% of pre- school children are suffering from moderate to severe malnutrition.”’ Cuban hijackers found not guilty. MIAMI — The only Cubans ever tried in the United States on charges of hijacking to flee Cuba were acquitted by a federal jury here last week. The three hijackers were charged with bringing a stolen boat to the U.S. and with conspiracy. e The men commandeered a Cuban fisherman’s boat forcing him to ~ take them to Miami. They pleaded not guilty, saying they didn’t know they were violating a U.S. federal law. Ignorance of the law is not accepted as a valid defence plea, but an exception was made in this case and the men were found not guilty.