New Histories in U.S. Communism

Description

In this short collection of essays, articles, speeches, and critical responses, Tony Pecinovsky challenges long-held anticommunist narratives. Specifically, he asks readers to challenge the anticommunist myth that the Communist Party, USA (CPUSA) met its demise post-1956.

As the cover illustrates, communists—like Gus Hall (pictured), Charlene Mitchell, and Herbert Aptheker—continued to influence progressive, Left, and Marxist politics well into the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s.

They helped build the 1960s student free speech movement. They fought for civil rights and peace. They contributed to rank-and-file, shopfloor organizing and helped found the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and the Coalition of Labor Union Women. They pioneered campaigns for environmental sustainability. And they partnered with Black cultural figures like Art Blakey, Ollie Harrington, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee.

This volume also compiles a collection of speeches the author gave over the past several years, as well as short responses to anticommunist attacks levied at the Communist Party by CNN, Jacobin, and The American Conservative.

In short, this volume challenges anticommunism through New Histories in U.S. Communism.