(Aneurin Bevan and Paul Robeson: Socialism, Class and Identity)
Darlith yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Glynebwy 2010 / National Eisteddfod Lecture Ebbw Vale 2010
Daniel G.Williams
Uwch Ddarlithydd Saesneg a Chyfarwyddwr Canolfan Ymchwil i Lên ac Iaith Saesneg Cymru ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe. / Senior Lecturer in English and Director of the Centre for Research into the English Literature and Language of Wales at Swansea University.Senior Lecturer in English and Director of the Centre for Research into the English Literature and Language of Wales at Swansea University.
Er y cofir am Paul Robeson fel sosialydd heddiw yng Nghymru, chwaraeodd ran allweddol hefyd mewn perthynas â Chenedlaetholwyr Du. Ymddengys i Bevan fod yn ymwybodol o hyn i ryw raddau, oherwydd traethodd un o'i areithiau mwyaf cenedlgarol cyn iddo gyflwyno Robeson yn Eisteddfod 1958 yng Nglynebwy. Fodd bynnag, tra bod Bevan o'r farn mai dim ond yn nhermau dimensiwn diwylliannol ei hunaniaeth y dylid mynegi Cymreictod a hyrwyddo Cymru yn y byd, roedd Paul Robeson yn deall realiti'r sefyllfa sef bod angen gweledigaeth wleidyddol fwy amlwg ar Gymru ar gyfer ei dyfodol. I ryw raddau, roedd y ddau ohonynt yn drysu gwleidyddiaeth dosbarth a hunaniaeth. Bydd y ddarlith hon yn ystyried pa mor berthnasol yw eu meddylfryd i Gymru heddiw a'r graddau y mae sosialaeth yn gydnaws â hawliau'r lleiafrif.
While Paul Robeson is celebrated today in Wales as a socialist, he was also a key figure for Black Nationalists. Bevan seems to have been somewhat aware of this, for he delivered one of his most nationalistic speeches before introducing Robeson at the 1958 Eisteddfod in Ebbw Vale. However, while Bevan believed the expression of Welshness and projecting Wales in the world should be confined to the cultural dimension of its identity, Paul Robeson understod the reality that Wales needed a more clear-cut political vision for its future. To some extent both confused the politics of class and identity. This lecture explores the relevance of their thinking for today’s Wales and the extent to which socialism is compatible with minority rights.
Entry to this lecture is free.