Joel A Lewis Youth Against Fascism.pdf
Joel A Lewis Youth Against Fascism.pdf
Joel A Lewis Youth Against Fascism.pdf
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DEMOCRACY<br />
published a songbook entitled Songs Of America. 214 Selections from Songs of America<br />
were published monthly in the Young Communist Review to advertise for the songbook.<br />
One song by Sonny Vale entitled "Fighting For Democracy" praised the AFL-CIO "rank<br />
and file" for fighting "in good old Yankee style," ending each verse with a chorus of<br />
"We've got to fight – `Cause we know we're right – We're fighting for Democracy!" 215<br />
Other songs blended themes of freedom and patriotism with class rhetoric. One song<br />
entitled "A Song For the Fourth of July" stated, "If a man has nothing, nothing at all, how<br />
can a man be free – In a land of plenty, plenty for all, that's where a man is free." 216<br />
The YCL incorporated forms of popular entertainment into democratic culture campaigns.<br />
The YCL published a "peppy cheer song" that encouraged youth to, "Get a life<br />
with a purpose – Get a point of view – It's not hard – Just sign a card – And make your<br />
dreams come true!" 217 Some YCL branches attempted to blend traditional culture with<br />
popular youth activities. An YCL branch in Colorado held a "barn party" for Halloween<br />
to bring together Colorado farmers and Mexican farm hands. The YCL made it a popular<br />
event, utilizing beer, pop, pumpkin pie and a "snappy little Spanish band" that got the<br />
"dancing girls swinging it to their hot tune." 218 The YCL utilized CPUSA pamphlets like<br />
Give a Party For the Party that highlighted using popular party activities that could<br />
attract, entertain and politicize youth. 219 During the Popular Front the YCL even revised<br />
their traditional rejection of jazz music and swing dancing. The New York branch of the<br />
YCL held a "swing concert" in Madison Square Garden in 1939, attended by over 10,000<br />
youth. 220 The YCL began to praise jazz as "democratic music" since it was "characterized<br />
by the fellow-feeling among the players… and the folk nature of its melodies and lyrics."<br />
221 Leninist Generation propaganda had focussed cultural articles almost entirely on<br />
praising Soviet initiatives. The Popular Front Generation rejected many of these practices,<br />
seeking to construct an authentic modern American democratic and socialist youth<br />
culture.<br />
Much like their British comrades, the YCLUSA contended that leisure and lifestyle<br />
issues were vital to the health of youth and democratic society. Leisure initiatives<br />
attracted young people to the YCL and were an integral part of their "character building"<br />
campaigns. The YCL critiqued how their organization traditionally had a "tendency to<br />
cast aside the recreations and frivolities of youth;" the Popular Front program needed to<br />
clarify that there "must be no contradiction between being young and being a Communist."<br />
222 In 1938 the YCL began to clarify this new outlook on youth leisure in their<br />
official statements:<br />
At our Eighth National Convention the YCL was characterized as "an organization for<br />
education, action and recreation. We seek to provide cultural and social activities and<br />
sport and recreational facilities for young people. We want to teach them an appreciation<br />
of literature, drama, art and music. We want to enrich their lives, to build their bodies,<br />
to develop their characters, to train them for leadership."… Through our serious<br />
political work coupled with wholesome, healthy activities and popular methods, let us<br />
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