Joel A Lewis Youth Against Fascism.pdf

YOUTH AGAINST FASCISM
show that we have no interests separate or apart from the needs and interests of the
American young people. 223
Traditionally the YCL had constructed itself strictly as a vanguard political organization
to lead youth to socialist revolution. The Popular Front Generation instead contended
that leisure and recreation were vital elements of their youth program for a democratic
society.
In 1939 the YCL began a campaign of "character building" among the youth to
strengthen democracy. Earl Browder defined character building as the "accumulation of
consistent and sustained habits of life and work, which best fit the individual into society,
and equip him to sustain and improve society." 224 The YCL posited that character building
was an anti-fascist activity arguing, "Fascism does not build character, Fascism
destroys character." 225 Just as the YCLGB criticized fascists for "regimenting the youth,"
Henry Winston insisted YCL character building was based on the premise that "we
respect the human personality and are opposed to any form of regimentation." 226 The
YCL also believed anti-fascism could inform a progressive consumer lifestyle. In their
domestic campaigns the YCL consistently called for a "people's boycott of all Japanese
goods." 227 Classified advertisements in the Young Communist Review promoted modern
services like swing dance lessons, unionized luncheonettes, beauty salons, tobacconists,
breweries and tour cruises to the Soviet Union. The YCL believed progressive lifestyles
centred on modernity and character building could strengthen democracy by highlighting
"the opportunities under American democracy in contrast to the denial of rights and
freedom in the fascist states." 228
Spain: The Frontline of World Democracy
Here again we see that, as in other issues, the Spanish Civil War linked the political
rhetoric and campaigns of the British and American YCLs. Young communists insisted
the Civil War was a conflict between fascism and democracy, not capitalism and communism.
Both YCLs spoke of the Spanish struggle as an episode that was organically
linked with the future of democracy and the youth of the world. One American article
urging youth activism stated, "The youth of Spain calls on us to help them.... Every ounce
of energy into the campaign to save democracy in Spain." 229 Other American articles
broadened the call for Spain arguing, "The struggle of the Spanish people for democracy
and against fascism is not the struggle of the Spaniards alone. It is the task of the people
of the entire world to come to the aid of the Spanish people." 230
YCL rhetoric linked the Spanish Republic with youth and democracy. For example,
an article on the Lincoln Brigade stated that Spain was "the cause of all humankind;" in
reality Spain "was and remains the universal cause: against vice, immorality, cruelty,
greed, wanton barbarism, blackmail and violence for which the wretched swastika and
the craven fasces stand." 231 YCLGB rhetoric echoed these same general sentiments with
124