Joel A Lewis Youth Against Fascism.pdf

YOUTH AGAINST FASCISM
questions raised by students who are beginning to break with isolationism" and to convince
them of the need for a "positive program for collective security." 188 In an article on
the National Council of Methodist Youth, the YCL addressed Methodist anti-Roosevelt
sentiment. The Methodist NC had directed their anti-militarist rhetoric against Roosevelt,
not fascism. The YCL insisted such critiques "not only ignore the facts, but such
theories harmonize with the program and practice of the fascists themselves." 189 The
YCL hoped their clarifications would help shift Methodist opinion into the "mainstream"
of American youth sentiment that stood clearly against fascism.
Active citizenship was a vital element of the YCL's pro-democracy rhetoric. During
the 1938 election the YCL adopted the slogan, "Defend Democracy By Practicing
Democracy – Be An Active Citizen And Registered Voter!" 190 In the YCI press, the
American communists insisted citizenship training was the key to increasing youth
democratic participation. Carl Ross argued, "The essential problem [for American youth]
is the preparation for the exercise of citizenship, instruction of young Americans in the
principles of democracy by means of wider discussion and activity." 191 The YCL maintained
that "education of youth for citizenship in our democracy" prepared young people
"for active participation in the labour and progressive movement." 192
The YCL maintained that citizenship centered on active participation in all facets of
the nation's life, not just voting. The Leninist Generation had actively discussed citizenship
in terms of Soviet democracy. The Popular Front Generation shifted their rhetoric to
focussing upon citizenship under American democracy. During the 1938 elections, the
Republican Party increasingly began using a political rhetoric centered on citizenship.
The YCL intentionally framed their rhetoric to counter this trend. Increasingly the YCL
centred almost all of its democratic rhetoric in a language of citizenship. 193 Gil Green
contended that the YCL facilitated democratic citizenship in its members by engaging
them in an active political life:
We ask those people who dare question our stand on democracy: Take a look at our organization
and see for yourself. Democracy is only possible when its citizenry is active,
intelligent and wide-awake. What organization of young people can boast of such a high
percentage of membership participation as ours What organization of young people can
boast of a membership so alert and wide-awake.... And what organization of young people
so imbues its members with a love for democracy as ours, and trains them to be
ready to give their lives, if need be, in its defense 194
An article on the 1938 election stated that the "responsibilities and obligations of citizenship"
inspired the YCL to dedicate its organization to "uphold the constitution of the
United States." 195 An article on the 1939 YCL National Convention referred to delegates
primarily as "citizens," not as communists. 196 The main item for convention discussion
was how the YCL could "help the young generation of today become the model citizens
of tomorrow." 197 The YCL contended that by instilling "the spirit of democratic citizenship
among the youth" it could "strengthen the movement for democracy and security." 198
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