Date: 	Sat, 28 Jun 1997 15:39:24 -1000
From: Stephen E Philion <philion-AT-hawaii.edu>
Subject: Re: M-I: The Cultural Front


Hi Louis,

Your discussion of the cultural movements that were linked to labor
movements and the CP in the 30's is very helpful for those of us who have
to deal with the Post-everythingists who seem to believe it was in the
1960's that radical counterculture was discovered and that cultural
questions have been and remain unrelated to labor (class) questions.
               
PE's can, with this assumption, basically excuse their laziness when it
comes to exploring history, even the history of radical cultural
movements.  Now, I've a question that perhaps you could provide some sort
of answer for me. (As far as I recall)  Most of what you have written in
your posts has
concerned the involvement of the CP (or CP activists) in race based
issues.  What kind of involvement was their of CP activists in gender
issues?  Were there activists involved in sexuality issues?  The
stereotype of the CP has always been of one that was "only interested in
economic issues."  
                                          
I know that is baloney, as your posts make strikingly clear.  And I know
my usual refrain to such assertions is that CP activists were far more
likely to support comprehensive reforms toward gender and sexual
equality, liberation than were liberals.  Indeed, if you read Lenin on
'the women question' you would find that he and many communists of his
time took stands on women's equality that were far more radical than most
post-everythingists take today, during an era in which taking such stands
was far riskier to one's social reputation.  

But, when it comes to concrete instances of CPers involvement in gender or
sexuality issues, I usually come up short.  Are their sources you would
recommend to read?

Steve



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