Class Struggle and the Color Line by Paul Heideman

Author:Paul Heideman [Неизв.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Perseus Books, LLC
Published: 2018-03-21T19:00:00+00:00

Originally an SP pamphlet, it was published as part of a report conducted by New York State’s Joint Legislative Committee Investigating Seditious Activities, with the title Revolutionary Radicalism: Its History, Purpose and Tactics, With an Exposition and Discussion of the Steps Being Taken and Required to Curb It, 1489.

Socialism The Negroes’ Hope

It is a regrettable and discontenting anomaly that, despite their situation as the economic, political and social door mat of the world, negroes do not embrace the philosophy of socialism, and in greater numbers than they now do. It is an anomaly because it is reasonable to expect those who are lowest down to be the ones who would most quickly comprehend the need for a change in their status and welcome any doctrine which holds forth any hope of human elevation. In matters of religion they respond and react logically and naturally enough, for to them, the religion of Christ, the lowly Nazarene, brings definite assurance of surcease from earthly pains and the hope of celestial readjustment of mundane equalities. Their acceptance of the Christian religion with its present day emphasis upon an after-life enjoyment of the good things denied them on the earth is conclusive proof of their dissatisfaction with their present lot, and is an earnest [missing word] of their susceptibility to Socialism, which intends to do for human beings what Christianity promises to do for them in less material regions.

That they and all oppressed dark peoples will be the greatest beneficiaries in a socialist world has not been sufficiently emphasized by Socialist propaganda among Negroes.

Perhaps this is not clearly understood, but a little more examination of the facts will prove this to be the case.

Throughout the world Negroes occupy a position of absolute inferiority to the white race. This is true whether they are black Frenchmen, black Englishmen, black Belgians or black Americans.

As between themselves and the mass of white proletarians their lives are more circumscribed, their ambitions more limited and their opportunities for the enjoyment of liberty and happiness more restricted. White workingmen of England who are socialists are immeasurably the political and social superiors of the average Negroes in the West Indies or Africa; white workingmen of France, who are Socialists are unquestionably the political and social superiors of the Senegalese and Madagascaran Negroes; white workingmen of the United States who are Socialists are indisputably the social and political superiors of the millions of Negroes below the Mason and Dixon line; yet despite their relative and absolute superiority these white workers are fighting for a world freed from oppression and exploitation, whilst Negroes who are oppressed cling to past and present economic ideals with the desperation of a drowning man.

Socialism as an economic doctrine is merely the pure Christianity preached by Jesus, and practiced by the early Christians adapted to the more complex conditions of modern life. It makes no distinction as to race, nationality or creed, but like Jesus it says “Come unto me all ye who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.

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