"Could I say that the reason that I am here today, you know, from the mouth of the State Department itself, is: I should not be allowed to travel because I have struggled for years for the independence of the colonial peoples of Africa"

Paul Robeson was a prominent civil liberties activist and supporter for the self-reliance of African colonial individuals. In this quote, he is suggesting that the US State Department has actually avoided him from travelling due to the fact that of his activism. He is suggesting that the US federal government is trying to silence him and his message of liberation for African colonial individuals. This quote is an effective statement of Robeson's dedication to the reason for African self-reliance and his willingness to withstand the US federal government in order to defend what he believes in. It is a reminder of the significance of defending what is right, even in the face of opposition. Robeson's words are a testimony to the power of advocacy and the importance of speaking up against injustice.