Artists are the radical voice of civilization.

Freedom is a hard-bought thing and millions are in chains, but they strain toward the new day drawing near.

Like any other people, like fathers, mothers, sons and daughters in every land, when the issue of peace or war has been put squarely to the American people, they have registered for peace.

Every artist, every scientist, every writer must decide now where he stands. The artist must take sides. He must elect to fight for freedom or for slavery. I have made my choice. I had no alternative.

Why should the Negroes ever fight against the only nations of the world where racial discrimination is prohibited, and where the people can live freely? Never! I can assure you, they will never fight against either the Soviet Union or the peoples' democracies.

My father was a slave and my people died to build this country and I am going to stay here and have a part of it just like you.

The artist must elect to fight for Freedom or for Slavery.