Walter White: Advocate in Changing Times
This lesson explores the complexity of former NAACP president Walter White’s public views during the Cold War Era and reveals some of the divisions within the civil rights movement as McCarthyism intensified.
An incomplete portrait of Paul Robeson, 1924.
Source: Winold Reiss, National Portrait Gallery.
Paul Robeson was a multi-talented African American actor, singer, athlete, and civil rights activist. He gained fame for his powerful bass-baritone voice and his performances in theater and film, notably in “Othello.” Robeson was a strong advocate for civil rights, using his platform to address issues such as racial discrimination and inequality. However, his outspoken support for communism, particularly the Soviet Union, made him a controversial figure during the Red Scare era of the Cold War. Robeson faced persecution, including being blacklisted in the entertainment industry and having his passport revoked. Despite these challenges, he continued to use his talents and voice to champion civil rights and social justice causes.
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