The noose -- the symbol of the American lynch mob -- has appeared in increasing numbers across the country. Seven nooses were found hanging in the New York metropolitan area alone in the past several weeks. There has been widespread reporting of these incidents, but what do they mean? Why are they appearing now? What do we do about it?
No event can be thoroughly understood unless it is examined in the conditions that gave it birth. The noose--the symbol of fascist racism -- does not appear on the scene alone. It is part of a process. That process includes the government's assault on all aspects of civil liberties, and its endorsement and widespread use of the Nazi-like torture of suspected criminals or so-called terrorists. It includes the whipping up of a racist chauvinism against immigrants. It includes the saber rattling, the jingoism and threat of another illegal war.
All this is taking place in an epoch of fundamental changes in the economy. These changes include the shift from industrial to electronic production, from basic reliance on national production and distribution to total globalization. All these changes have worked against the stability and the living standards of the American working class. Drugged by years of the ruling class's economic bribery given in exchange for support of military and economic aggression around the world, the people are confused and afraid of the future.
These are exactly the conditions that give rise to the fight for the hearts and minds of the people. It is the moment when the decision: democracy or fascism, exploitation or co-operation is made.
In this developing propaganda war--this war of ideas -- the democratic and revolutionary forces are at a terrible disadvantage. The McCarthy era frightened people away from the visions of a better world that have always guided American progress. The political Left is in disarray and more afraid of the words socialism and communism then are the workers.
During times of confusion, people tend to go back to their roots. A section of these roots include genocide against the Native Americans, the horror of three centuries of African slavery, the politics of all-class white unity backed up by the noose, the whip and the burning stake. But there is another root. It is exemplified by the visions enshrined in our Declaration of Independence, which inspired revolutionaries throughout the world. It is in the songs and battles of those who willingly died to set men free. It is in the bodies of the millions who still march beside the soul of Old John Brown.
The rise of the noose is the battle cry of fascism. Who will win? Those who insist on simply organizing or those who believe that victory lies in the introduction of new ideas? The fascists have thrown down the gauntlet. What is your reply?
