"You Are the Un-Americans, and You Ought to be Ashamed of Yourselves": Paul Robeson Appears Before HUAC

"Many African-American witnesses subpoenaed to testify at the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) hearings in the 1950s were asked to denounce Paul Robeson (1888 --1976) in order to obtain future employment. Robeson, an All-American football player and recipient of a Phi Beta Kappa key at Rutgers, received a law degree at Columbia. He became an internationally acclaimed concert performer and actor as well as a persuasive political speaker. In 1949, Robeson was the subject of controversy after newspapers reports of public statements that African Americans would not fight in 'an imperialist war.' In 1950, his passport was revoked. Several years later, Robeson refused to sign an affidavit stating that he was not a Communist and initiated an unsuccessful lawsuit. In the following testimony to a HUAC hearing, ostensibly convened to gain information regarding his passport suit, Robeson refused to answer questions concerning his political activities and lectured bigoted Committee members Gordon H. Scherer and Chairman Francis E.Walter about African-American history and civil rights. In 1958, the Supreme Court ruled that a citizen"s right to travel could not be taken away without due process and Robeson's passport was returned. "

Got this off of cursor.

It was not so very long ago that the most horrific, anti-democratic, anti-constitutional, un-American procedings were taking place in full daylight with a full following within the US.

These things have continued to some extent to this day. Guantanamo is such a case, for instance. The press has not shed much light on these current-day activities so there is no uproar. Gannongate goes unnoticed. HST's death is more than symbolic -- we are seeing the worst sort of Fear and Loathing in the current administration.

Bubba Bush and the Christian Coalition (sic) are bringing back the glory days of McCarthy. America is getting HUACed-up!