THE SPHINX9 90th Anniversary Limited Edition
Convention in Philadelphia, where he and his beautiful wife Essie Goode announced their "public wedding". His wife Essie, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was able to attend her own National Sorority Convention held also in Philadelphia the same year. Not much is documented about the early days of Brother Paul Robeson as a member of either NU or ETA Chapter, but what is known is that he successfully completed Law School at Columbia University; while playing "Hooky" from classes on many Fridays where he played professional football in Ohio. In addition, he began his fabulous life long career in the field of acting. Following his stay at Columbia, Brodier Robeson journeyed to Europe where his career in the performing arts skyrocketed. On April 2, 1927. Brother Paul and Essie bore a son; Paul Robeson Jr., a future member of Alpha Phi Alpha as well. Brother Robeson continued to grow as an "icon" in the performance world, and then in 1946, he is pictured in our History book (Wesley) with then General President Lawson and Brother Channing Tobias, following a presentation given at the Thirty-Second general Convention held in Columbus, Ohio. According to the definitive biography by Martin Bauml Dubernan; (Brother) Paul Robeson spoke on Dec. 29, 1946, at the Convention of A$A.. .the leading black fraternity; which was NOT known as outspoken politically, and did not trim his sentiments to his audience." (p.673) As Paul Dunbar might say, "De darkest hour of de night.. ..with respect to Brother Paul Robeson; this undoubtedly, would refer to the late 1940s and early to mid 1950s. During that time J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the F.B.I. (Federal Bureau of Investigations) was on a tirade to "blackball" communists and communist sympathizers. Incredibly, Brother Paul Robeson amongst many outstanding entertainers of the day was targeted and "Blacklisted". In spite of his public pronunciations at formal hearings in which he denied that he was a member of the Communist Party, still he was "blackballed", and even the brotherhood fell into that unwarranted trap. Indeed, it was a time when many brothers treated Brother Paul Robeson with less than the "fraternal spirit. In 1949, Brother Robeson conducted a concert in Los Angeles that drew some 15,000 fans... The prestigious Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity announced that it would host a luncheon in Los Angeles in his honor". Later, at a stop in Washington D.C.; seventeen (17) prominent black leaders including (Brother) Charles H. Houston, (Brother) Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. (Brother) Rayford Logan, E. Franklin Frazier and others issued a statement in advance of Brother Robeson coming to Washington D.C. stating "that, although, many of us find ourselves in sharp disagreement" with the public positions he has taken on certain issues, we are united in affirming his inalienable right to speak and sing to all who wish to hear him".
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Unfortunately, the conciliatory attitude did not last. By 1952 Duberman writes that (p.708) "in an interview with (Brother) Dr. Aaron Wells. Brother Wells shared a story about a time period when Brother Robeson was not welcomed among the brothers. At a fraternity event (1955) Brother Wells, who served as Brother Robeson's personal doctor recalled a chapter meeting in New York held on St. Nicholas Ave. Brother Wells recalls that "several of those present reproved (Brother) Robeson to his face for "not having been with us when you were at the height of your career" and one lawyer (later a federal judge) openly attacked him on the issue of Communism. (Brother) Robeson simply responded "You know, brother, you are really hitting at the wrong enemy. I am not your enemy. You are hitting in the wrong direction." Other indignities included the noted Langston Hughes (Omega Psi Phi) deliberately leaving (Brother) Robeson out of his books: Famous Book of Negroes (1952), Famous American Negroes (1954) and Famous Negro Music Makers (1955) Hughes feared a backlash from the public with regard to his books because of the alleged Communist link of (Brother) Robeson (p. 708 Duberman). Another notable left out was (Bro) W.E.B. Dubois. In 1957, Brother Robeson wrote his autobiography as an Essay, entitled "Here I Stand" which was published in 1958. Fortunately, by 1958, the negative attitude began to fade. In that year Brother Robeson gave two concerts; in Pittsburg, hosted and entertained by his own "powerful Alpha Phi Alpha. Later, the Chicago chapter (Xi Lambda) welcomed him and featured (Brother) Robeson