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10/18/2004:

"The connections between racism and revolution"

It's hard to imagine that the US left was once “colour blind”. Race is such a central political question in the US that even President George Bush — who gives campaign speeches in Spanish — dare not ignore the question.

But US radicals in the early part of the 20th century abstained completely on the race question. Organised in the Socialist Party and the Industrial Workers of the World, activists believed that the struggle of Black workers was just another battle between bosses and workers, refusing to acknowledge any special features.

US capitalism was founded - and continues to depend - on pervasive, vicious racism. This is why, despite making important gains through struggle, African Americans have been unable to achieve racial justice.

Full Article : greenleft.org.au