Real Life Swagger

Today I wanted to point out someone in history (period, not just black or American) that demonstrates everything Mr. Swagger is about. This person who we all should know but who most of us don't is Paul Robeson (1898-1976). Mr. Robeson is what a renaissance man is all about, not to mention he was around for the Harlem Renaissance. He excelled in athletics, school, community service, and the arts. I truly feel he may be the single most astounding person to ever walk this planet (except for Jesus).

Robeson, the son of a former slave had 4 siblings and grew up in Princeton, NJ. After graduating high school (Somerville High), he attended Rutgers University as the third black student in history. While attending he received 15 varsity letters in basketball, football (two time first team All-American), baseball, and track and field. He also won the school's oratorical contest all four years and graduated valedictorian of his class. He was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa honor society and the Cap and Skulls (Rutgers honor society). He later went to Columbia Law School, while living in Harlem. He made money by playing professional football, coaching college football (Lincoln University), and acting in plays.

He later performed as Othello on Broadway and London. He toured doing plays and music all over the world and became conversant in over 30 languages and dialects. Robeson was also a civil rights activist and founder of The Council on African Affairs. Robeson became so powerful through his travels in America and abroad that the government feared him. Due to the love Europe and mainly Russia had for him, the government proclaimed him a communist. They took his traveling visa, passport, and arrested anyone in contact with him. Robeson eventually turned to drugs and later died a beaten man. It's funny how anytime a black man comes to power, the government calls them a terrorist or communist. Tell me who inspires you, who do you look up to?