Attraction

Ask why anyone would spend a lifetime studying the old left. The socialists and anarchists of the first two decades of the 1900’s. The Wobblies the Industrial Workers of the World of the 1910’s. The progressive new dealers and communists of the popular front of the 1930’s.

 

That generation born in the 1940’s and grew up in the 1950’s. Coming to age in the 1960’s. America of our youth seemed like an existential malaise. The cruel shallowness of the second red scare and the cold war, the old left seemed a lantern of light in a darken mine shaft. A drink of cold water in a desert and a warm shelter in the arctic winter.  The voice of the ancient ones became our collective voice.

 

I was always attracted to the American old left because when I was in my teens they were in their 80's. They were activists in the 1910's. The fought for unions, against Jim Crow, women's rights, for what they call social justice. They were the IWW and American socialists in their youth. They most of them went to prison for the stands they took. They were my heroes because they believed America could be better. I knew many personally. Later I found out about the 1930's and the progressive popular front including American Communists. Again, the story was the same and I knew many personally. As a young man it seemed they gave back more than they took. They were my role models from my teen years on. I want to carry on their traditions, I believe they still have a lot to offer. Thus, I am a true conservative. Does that help?

 

The dream and the heart break is what drives us forward as long as you never give up life is worth living. Hope born from despair the ancient ones give a new voice to the new generation.