Do you know who Paul Robeson is Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Do you know who Paul Robeson is - Assignment ExampleRobesons m other(a), Maria Louisa Bustill came from a well known family of mixed ancestry consisting of Anglo-American, American and Lenape. She died from a house fire when Robeson was just 6 years of age. Robesons other siblings were William Drew Robeson II, Rev. Benjamin C. Robeson, Reeve Robeson and Marian Robeson (Boyle and Bunie 13). Education and Early Life Robesons father held a strong belief that African Americans were as good as their whit counter berths. He instilled in his children this opinion and made sure that they att determinationed the same schools as white children. Robeson attended Somerville High School in New Jersey where he graduated with honors in 1915. eon at the school, he participated in confused activities such as acting, singing and athletics (Dorinson and Pencak 23). His academic excellence and activities in school earned him a full academic scholarship at Rutgers University. Being accepted on schola rship at Rutgers was a great feat for the young Robeson since there were exactly two other African Americans who had achieved the same. He was the only African American student in the university or the whole duration that he was at Rutgers. While in his third year, he became one of the only three classmates to be accepted into the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity. In 1919, he was one of the four students who were s elect in the Cap and Skull honor society (28). Robeson continued to be come to in school activities while in Rutgers where he participated in debate and oratorical contests. He was the liquidator of the statewide debate contest prize for four straight years (Foner 33). Robeson was also an avid vocalizer and he was part of the campus Glee Club. However, because of the racist environment at the time, he was not allowed to travel with the chemical group for social events and performances. Another hindrance he faced as a result of the racist temper during his studies was being denied the chance to enjoy the festivities of the universitys Philoclean Society, even though he was a duly elected member of the literary society (Boyle and Bunie 100). Just like when he was in high school, Robeson was also an all-round(prenominal) in campus. He was an excellent sportsman at Rutgers where he took part in American football, basketball, baseball game and athletics. His participation in these sports earned him some 15 varsity letters. In football, he black marketed the end position and he was so good at it that he earned himself a name in the first team All-America in 1917 and 1918. He became the first student and player from Rutgers to reach that feat (Duberman and Bauml 20). condescension his prowess in the game of football, Robeson faced numerous racial episodes, for instance when some Southern teams declined to play with a team that had an African American in the lineup. However, this did not deter him and he is considered by umteen to be one of the greatest football players of his time (22). Robeson was the valedictorian in his 1919 graduation class. Historians have everlastingly praised his academic and athletic excellence that few others can measure up to (Larsen 35). After graduating from Rutgers, Robeson enrolled in the capital of South Carolina Law School. To pay for his education at Columbia, Robeson worked as an athlete and a performer. He played for the Akron Pros and the Milwaukee Badgers, teams that were part of the American Professional Football Association, which later cam to be known as the National Football League. He also played