Negro Singer Who Is Against Fascism

Radio Record, 22 April 1938, Page 42

Negro Singer Who Is Against Fascism

PAUL ROBESON, the great American negro singer, made a stay of 24 hours in Barcelona on his return journey from Madrid. He was visited by the Commissioner of Information of the Generalitata (Government) of Catalonia, Jaume Miravitelles, and by the well-knowu folklorist and musician, Joan Gols i Soler, with both of whom he discussed the music of Catalonia, both ancient and modern. A number of songs collected by Senor Gols are already in Mr. Robeson’s repertoire, and arrangements were made fot him to obtain others. "Spain," said Mr. Robeson, in = an interview wth the "Manchester Guardian," "is fighting the cause of all the human race. As an anti-Fascist 1 think any other political distinctions should he sunk, as they are being sunk here in Spain, while the common enemy of all liberty is attacking us all. "My own case igs an example. Because of my race, and for no other reason, I should never have been permitted to develop my voice and create my eareer in any country under Fascist rule, "In the democracies the negro has to struggle against prejudices, but not against an actual crushing law.