Pauline L,
I also consider myself fortunate to have grown up in a home in which Paul Robeson's recordings, (which I still have and treasure), were played. I heard at length of the injustices which Paul faced. Paul was an inspiration to us.

This is a quote from NationMaster.com:
Although Robeson is one of the "Great Forerunners" in Black equality, the McCarthy era virtually erased his memory from the consciousness of younger Americans. He was conversant in over 20 languages, and at one time carried enough clout to be considered for a vice presidential spot on Henry A. Wallace's 1948 ticket. His singing voice was a sonorous bass-baritone once described thus: "If God should come to earth and sing, He would sound something like Paul Robeson."