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