Paul Robeson Jr. publishes an article titled in The Nation magazine arguing that his father Paul Robeson, the acclaimed actor, singer, scholar, athlete, orator, and civil rights leader was drugged in Moscow in 1961, probably with the participation of the CIA, and that this drugging led to the elder Robeson’s suicide attempt. In his article Paul Robeson Jr. draws parallels to the Frank Olson case.

Paul Robeson Jr. writes in part, “Olson’s drugging suggested a CIA motive similar to the possible one in my father’s case—concern about the target’s planned course of action.”

 

Interestingly the pharse that was so dear to Paul Robeson, and that provides the title for the superb PBS American Masters documentary on his life, comes from Martin Luther: “Here I stand…I can do no other.”

In the PBS documentary “Here I Stand” Paul Robeson Jr. describes the drugging incident in Moscow.