freedom train pennant (1 resultados)

Unbound. Condición: Fine. Pennant for the "Freedom Train." Triangular green felt, with the white, red and blue image of a train imprinted with the words "Freedom Train" on the side. About fine with very light wear, housed in a triangular plastic sleeve (with a taped repair on the sleeve). In 1947 the American Heritage Society organized a program to display original copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and other American historical documents on a touring train entitled the "Freedom Train." However, the Society refused to guarantee that the exhibition would not be segregated. Like many African-Americans, Langston Hughes was incensed by the stunning hypocrisy of this program and penned his stirring poem both as a protest, and as a larger examination of post-war American's need to address its racial issues. His good friend, Paul Robeson, who refused to perform for segregated audiences, immediately recorded the poem and made its recitation a staple of his live performances.