Interview with Paul Robeson

Q: Where are you from? Tell me a little about your childhood.

A:  Well, I grew up Princeton, New Jersey. My father escaped slavery and my mother was a member of a distinguished Bustill Philadelphia family. I was the last of eight children. My mother died when I was six and my father moved us to Somerville, New Jersey. I worked hard and often sang in my father’s church. I was seventeen when I received my scholarship to Rutgers University. Even though I was the third African American to attend the University, I was instantly popular and considered a good athlete.

Q: What in your early life influenced you to become an actor?

A: The lack of history and culture in Africans and African Americans. Also it was my first option when I left the law firm.

Q: Who were your mentors and how did they help you become the wonderful actor you are today?

A: In my opinion, my wife was my mentor. She encouraged me; she kept me moving forward after I passed the bar. Also W.E.B Dubois stood by me. He encouraged me and kept my acting skills alive.

Q: What was the world of drama like when you entered the field?

A: There was a lot of racism going on and a lot of places in London were not accepting African Americans. It was a while before they started accepting “others”.

Q: How did culture impact your work? What about the economic and politics?

A: In London the culture was changing. Drinking cocktails was the new big thing. I myself wasn’t really big on it but I guess it was cool for the Bright Young Things to do.  The economic was pretty rough in London…with them just recovering from the great depression and all. It was hard times. Good work wasn’t easy to fine. As for politics there was nothing big that I could remember that happened during the times I was over there.

Q: What were your major accomplishments while you were in the acting field?

A: One of my major accomplishments was wining the Donaldson Award for best acting performance in 1944. I was one of the first African American men to take a serious role in an all white theater.

Q: What led you to the turning points in life?

A: Racism. Racism has come a long way since1898. However, if it wasn’t for racism I would not have kept trying to promote African and African American culture and history. I probably would not have participated in the African American movement either.

Q: What barriers did you have to overcome in order to be an actor?

A: Again, racism. A lot of places such as restaurants and hotels wouldn’t accept me because I was African American. London actually rejected my passport keeping me in the US. They thought that would slow my acting ability down but I didn’t. I continued acting in small places until they reactivated my passport. Then it was on again!

Q: Who do you admire in both the arts or beyond?

A: I would defiantly say I admire W.E.B Du Bois the most. He had a great impact on my acting career. During our 40 year friendship our writing and teaching inspired people around the world.

Works cited

“A brief biography.” Paul Robeson. February 25, 2012. Web. 1 March 2012

Rivera, Deigo. “Paul Robeson Biography.” Encyclopedia of World. Print.                                                              <http://www.notablebiographies.com/Pu-Ro/Robeson-Paul.html>.