Paul Robeson sings to Scottish miners (1949)

Paul Robeson frequently stated he was treated better in the Soviet Union than in the United States, famously declaring, "Here, I am not a Negro but a human being for the first time in my life. ... I walk in full human dignity," regarding his 1934 trip to Moscow. He felt free from the racism of the U.S. and felt at home.

Key details about Robeson's experiences:

Contrast in Treatment: Robeson found that the USSR lacked the "color prejudice" he experienced in America, specifically comparing it to experiences in Mississippi and Washington.

First Visit (1934): After traveling to Russia, his admiration grew for the Soviet people and workers.

Treatment in USSR: As a celebrated figure, he received high-level treatment (first-class treatment) during his visits, which was used for propaganda purposes by the Soviet state.

Political Views: He believed Russia was pursuing social equality and often praised Stalin, even as his views brought criticism in the US.

Robeson's admiration for the Soviet Union was a major reason his passport was later revoked by the U.S. government.

******
In '34 the number of blacks living in Russia was extremely small, as the USSR did not record race. Those who were black were often African American specialists, agriculturalists, and workers moving to the Soviet Union. For example, Mississippi-born agricultural specialist Oliver Golden arrived to work on cotton cultivation projects.

More recently, the Black population in Russia is very small, estimated at approximately 0.02% to 0.03% of the total population. Estimates suggest there are roughly 40,000 to 70,000 people of African descent or mixed African-Russian heritage (Afro-Russians) living in Russia.
******

There's no doubt in my mind that the Soviet Union embraced Robeson for their own political means. America's racism is often cited by other countries, and sadly nothing has changed to the degree that it should have in 2026.

Let's be clear here. Robeson embraced the people and the workers in Russia. He thought Stalin was working towards more equality. He was wrong, but how could he not have thought this? Obviously he was treated extremely well there....though the purpose was for propaganda on the part of the Soviets, not a sudden or long lasting embrace of racial equality.