Eslanda Goode Robeson
Eslanda Goode Robeson, born December 15, 1896, was an American author and activist for African Americans. She is better known as the wife of Paul Robeson. Robeson had a large impact on the Civil Rights Movement where she fought segregation and racism in the United States. She continued this work until her death in 1965.
Education
Robeson studied at the London School of Economics and University College, London in 1934. During this time, she studied under Bronislaw Malinowski, a famous anthropologist. Robeson then researched eurocentrism and its impacts on Africans and African Americans. This inspired her book, African Journey, as well as many other lectures and writings.[1]
Career
Robeson started her career as the first African American hired at New York City's Presbyterian Hospital in the surgical pathology department[2] She then left this career after marrying her husband, Paul.
Eslanda Goode Robeson was also in filmmaking, mostly as an actress. She acted in the silent films Borderline (1930) and Big Fella (1937).
Publications
Robeson is best known for her publication of African Journey. This book shows Robeson's personal journey to Africa in 1936. During her trip to Africa, she wrote about themes of colonialism, racism, and cultural differences between Africa and the United States.[1]
The publication became famous to the public and was one of the first books to show a positive view of African people. Because of her publication many African Americans were able to relate to individuals in Africa.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mahon, Maureen (2006). "Eslanda Goode Robeson's African Journey: The Politics of Identification and Representation in the African Diaspora". Souls. 8 (3): 101–118. doi:10.1080/10999940600882830. S2CID 144113254 – via Taylor & Francis Online.
- ↑ Morgan, Kyna (2013). "Eslanda Robeson". Women Film Pioneers Project. Archived from the original on 2022-12-15. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Shaffer, Robert (Winter 1999). "Out of the Shadows: The Political Writings of Eslanda Goode Robeson". Pennsylvania History. 66 – via PennState University Libraries.