"You want to shut up every Negro who has the courage to stand up and fight for the rights of his peop..." — Paul Robeson

In Russia I felt for the first time like a full human being. No color prejudice like in Mississippi, no color prejudice like in Washington. It was the first time I felt like a human being.

Through the years I have received my share of recognition for efforts in the fields of sports, the arts, the struggle for full citizenship for the Negro people, labor's rights and the fight for peace.

We must join with the tens of millions all over the world who see in peace our most sacred responsibility.

As an artist I come to sing, but as a citizen, I will always speak for peace, and no one can silence me in this.