U Street Corridor in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
"Scandalize My Name"
Paris Peace Conference April 20, 1949: "It is unthinkable that the Negro people of America or elsewhere in the world could be drawn into war with the Soviet Union" Paul Robeson.
Before Robeson even spoke in Paris a distorted version of his comment was published in the media instigating an outpouring of ill will and hostility towards the man a few months early had been exalted as the worlds greatest and highest paid performer.
Now he was being called an "enemy" of the land of his birth and "traitor" to his country. In 1950 Robeson's passport was revoked preventing him from traveling to resume his concert and acting career. In the following 12 months 85 of his concert bookings were canceled and this persecution by the FBI and US State Department continued for many years.
Erected 2015 by DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Peace • War, Cold. A significant historical date for this entry is April 20, 1949.
Location. 38° 55.049′ N, 77° 1.865′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "Deep River" (here, next to this marker); "All Men Are Brothers" (here, next to this marker); "Othello" (a few steps from this marker); "Joshua Fit De Battle Of Jericho" (a few steps from this marker); "Stand By Me" (a few steps from this marker); "Wade in the Water" (within shouting distance of this marker); "No More Auction Block For Me" (within shouting distance of this marker); "Old Man River" (within shouting distance of this marker).
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 29, 2017
3. Artwork for "Scandalize My Name" Mural
Paul Robeson
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0)
4. “Here I Stand” Sculpture
Located at the intersection of Georgia and Kansas Avenues in Petworth is this statue, which was dedicated “in the spirit of Paul Robeson”.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 29, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 463 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 29, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on December 5, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on December 29, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on May 30, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
