The Legacy of Paul Robeson: Educational Institutions Bearing His Name
Paul Robeson, a celebrated African-American activist, scholar, artist, athlete, and Rutgers graduate, left an indelible mark on American society. His commitment to civil rights, human rights, and the arts has inspired the naming of numerous educational institutions in his honor. These institutions, ranging from living-learning communities to high schools and cultural centers, strive to embody Robeson's values and provide supportive environments for students of all backgrounds.
Paul Robeson Living-Learning Community at Rutgers University
Established in 1976, the Paul Robeson Living-Learning Community (LLC) at Rutgers University serves as a testament to Robeson's legacy. This community specifically supports first-year students transitioning from high school to college. It also engages transfer and continuing students, encouraging community interaction and involvement, scholarship, and self-growth. While not exclusive to Black students, the LLC emphasizes cultural enrichment and awareness, fostering a collaborative environment where students and faculty mentors work together towards academic achievement and excellence.
The LLC experience begins even before the start of classes with an orientation program designed to help students connect with peers, faculty, and staff. According to a former participant, "The most beneficial part of the LLC is having familiar faces in the dorm due to having the [LLC] orientation. Everyone knows each other and is friendly whether you are friends or talked once. There is always someone to talk to just because the shared experience of living there." The Paul Robeson LLC offers a Community Ambassador Program (CAP) where former participants can return the following year.
Students applying to the Paul Robeson LLC should have an interest in leadership, cultural enrichment, and the African Diaspora. Participation requires residency in the designated LLC building.
Paul Robeson High School for Business and Technology (Brooklyn, New York)
Paul Robeson High School for Business and Technology in Brooklyn, New York, was established in 1985, replacing the former Alexander Hamilton Technical and Vocational High School. The school board envisioned Robeson High School as a means to decrease the dropout rate, replacing most of the Hamilton teachers and implementing a new application process for students. Initially, the school saw an increase in the graduation rate, earning recognition in The New York Times.
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However, challenges arose in the 2000s. The closure of nearby Prospect Heights High School in 2006 led to an influx of students, resulting in increased violence and a decline in the graduation rate. The school's capacity of 1,000 students was strained by the forced acceptance of 1,500 students.
In 2010, a study revealed that many transfer students were older than their classmates and had recently been released from jails or juvenile detention centers, while teachers lacked the necessary training to support them. The graduation rate plummeted to 46.4 percent, significantly below the national average.
Facing potential closure, students and teachers rallied in 2009, protesting "the privatization of the school system, budget cuts, lack of appropriate leadership, malicious closings/phasing out of schools against the community's wishes, cell phone policies, overcrowded classes and abuse of safe schools, and over policing of schools and criminalizing their youths." Students argued that closing Robeson would strain other city schools, creating a cycle of overpopulation and closure.
In 2012, inspired by Occupy Wall Street, students organized a walkout to protest budget cuts, over-policing, and the criminalization of youth, connecting these issues to the murder of Trayvon Martin. The students marched from Robeson High School to Fort Greene Park, where they held a teach-in to explain their goals and the problems with the Brooklyn school system. Despite the students' efforts, the school began phasing out in 2011 and officially closed in 2014. The building, originally opened in 1904 and designed by Charles Snyder, now houses Pathways in Technology Early College High School and the Academy for Health Careers.
During its peak in the 1990s, under the leadership of Principal Marcia Lyles, the school flourished, posting higher-than-average graduation rates. However, the influx of students from closed schools, many with histories of truancy and involvement in gangs, contributed to the school's decline. The Department of Education filled empty seats with students admitted mid-year, including those from correctional facilities and homeless shelters.
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Paul Robeson High School (Chicago, Illinois)
Paul Robeson High School was a four-year public high school located in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Opened in September 1977, it was part of the Chicago Public Schools district and named in honor of Paul Robeson. Prior to becoming Robeson High School, the school was known as Parker High School from 1901 to 1977.
During the 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 school years, Robeson served as a receiving school for students affected by the closings of Englewood High School and Calumet High School, leading to overcrowding. Due to low enrollment and poor academic performance, Chicago Public Schools decided to close Robeson along with three other neighborhood high schools: Harper, Hope College Prep and Team Englewood. Robeson held its last graduation on June 12, 2018, and closed. The building was later demolished in September 2018.
Robeson competed in the Chicago Public League (CPL) and was a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA).
Paul Robeson Cultural Center at Penn State University
Penn State University established a cultural center in 1972 to provide cultural, educational, and social support for Black students. The center was named after Paul Robeson to honor his achievements and commitment to intellectual development, physical excellence, humanitarianism, and artistic accomplishments.
The Paul Robeson Cultural Center emphasizes the diversity of African American culture and its intersections with other cultures. The center moved to a new building in 1999 as part of the HUB-Robeson Center complex.
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Paul Robeson Community Theme School for the Arts (New Brunswick, New Jersey)
Paul Robeson Community Theme School for the Arts is a Kindergarten through Grade 8 school located in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The school emphasizes parental involvement in student development, providing workshops and activities for parents to participate in the school community.
Paul Robeson Center at Rutgers University
The Paul Robeson Center at Rutgers University was established in 1969 to provide a supportive atmosphere for the growing number of African-American students. Renamed in honor of Paul Robeson in 1972, the Center reflects the rich cultural heritage of African Americans through programs that focus on their literary, cultural, and historic contributions to society.
Common Threads and Divergent Paths
These institutions, while diverse in their specific missions and target audiences, share a common thread: a commitment to honoring the legacy of Paul Robeson. They strive to provide supportive and enriching environments for students, fostering academic excellence, cultural awareness, and community engagement. However, the stories of Paul Robeson High School in Brooklyn and Chicago highlight the challenges faced by urban schools serving disadvantaged communities. Factors such as overcrowding, lack of resources, and the influx of students with complex needs can significantly impact a school's ability to succeed.
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