Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1952-06-06
Paul Robson Again

SON controversy raging The University Of Minnesota after
granting permission for campus group the Young Progress
sve League Cofman Memorial Union for Robson con-
cert, cancelled It's agreement
The University administration took the position that It did
mot feel that University facilities should be used for
Russian propaganda purposes under the guSe Of concert BY
Robson careful 70 point out that the appearance OF
Robson campus speaker In discussion political issues
where there chance for free debate and was an
entirely different masrthan political meeting under the
cloak Of concert.
This newspaper daaess only in part with the University
when the school granted permission the proCommunist
group sponsor Robson and then cancelled such permission
broke conracand contract breaking by educational
institution which teaches ethics Ia not pleasing sight On the
other hand the in which the concert sponsors sought TO
gain OF the "U facilities clearly not above board
either breach cancelled the other The University point
that Robson 70 turn concert he gives into Red
pepfeat Ia well takcnfor II has happened before
Some Of our sympathy lies with the University admin
SrMon somewhat because II between "the devil and Che
deep blue sea- IN these mAtters the political bae lines
form between the extreme lsa and their presently more
respectable Oountsrparss, the extreme nghis
This Newspaper howsysr does not believe denying pub
s andtoFums membsrs Of any group which Is allowed 20
exist under the constitution II did not favor denying public
buildings 90 raess like Gerald L. X Smith and would have
readily defended the right Of Negotiating Theodore BbO TO
speak In tax supported building We do not believe In
the unspeaabe and cowady methods used BY Sem Joseph
Mccarthy but grant that he has under American democracy
right be- heard by the people who want 10 hear him. We
have been taught that In America there enough for
differences Of opinion American groups TO allow each
have the right Of free speech and the right Of assembly
Closing all halls Robson any other citizen attempt
to halt free speech and assembly.
Our problem in this regard from the viewpoint Of
those who believe In the essential freedoms has become
complex and confusing because the Communist party in Amer
lea has been acting the agent OF foreign On the
hand has scOfed and plotted against form Of
the other hand has not hesaed seek protection
under constitutional guarantees Even while II seeks the
protection Of the most liberal constitution In the world works
poison national security and being Liberals everywhere
who recognize the Communists for what they however
concerned that In hurried desire to protect the country
against the subveves do abandon those principles
which have made this nation In respects the reest nation
on the face Of the globe
Paul RobesOn Misguided a. we belsye him 70 b. must
not expect loyal Americans even they are his blood bro
theirs 70 cooperate with him In SAbotagng the United States
for Russia.
Robson gains considerable American Negro sympathy
when he attacks prejudice segregation discrimination and
inequality in the south To his credit he has always been
spoken foe Of this Of national % but have and
today other Negro leaders. He Is not unique in this
The striking difference that the overwhelming majority
Of Negro leaders and the Negroes have
faith In the American Creed and willing battle for full
equality with the tools furnished them by Bin Of Rights
and Constitution They do not look abroad any other
any other theology for the solution Of their pro-
blems here in this country
We sl think however that banning Robson from singing
talking for that matter solution The truths that Robe
tells he does about Americas mnortes
viii remain truths as long as the conditions exist
American Negroes have been taken by the Com
muniss They know the misery OF totam better than other
American nationals The Red siren song that Robson sings
about the glory Of the Soviet and the Kremn falls largely
deaf them You Negroes in America especially
In the south have lived under conditions
oppressive and totatAan those who live behind the
Iron Curtain The poce state" nothing southern
Negro Although police brutality and violation Of the laws Of
there still In this nation where police employ tactics
similar to these used in Russia TO keep its OnCommuns cit
iEens in subsection and fear,
The American Negro doesn't listen Robesons about
Russia because he has legislatures in his native land
g up laws designed keep him in has place. TO keep him
from enjoying the right Of the ballot which comparable
Russia where the citizen who votes must vote only party
The southern Negro has lived under onepary system for rs
years and ne doesn't think the Russian brand any better than
the American which he does have chance to change.
Aside from being very practical and intensely loyal the
Negroes az American ancestry, Paul Robson mot with
andng are for changing the American brand Of
white supremacy fadm for the Stain or Hiter brand In