Portside

Reader Comments: Mainstream Press Covers DSA and Elections; The ‘Red Scare’: Then and Now; Todd Blanche and The Art of the Steal; Dr. Fauci;; New Howard Zinn Biography; Dockworkers Unions in Six Countries Announce Day of Strikes Against War, Genocide

The persecution of communists and American radicals in the postwar era was not solely – and often not even primarily – a government operation. It was a collective endeavor.

In the early 1900s, the Jewish People’s Fraternal Order fought for multiracial democracy and Yiddish culture, building solidarity across ethnic and racial lines — until it was destroyed by the Red Scare. Review of From Popular Front to Cold War

Reader Comments: World Cup and Trump Booed Heard Round the World; ICE Killings; AOC Should Run; GOP Wants More Money for Pentagon to Fight Communism in U.S.; Israel Issue Flips; Worst Diarrhea Outbreak; Testosterone Army; Save Queens College Jobs;

Trump has threatened to deploy the military against the “enemy within” and has recently promoted the idea that “democratic socialism must be criminalized.” On top of current $1.1 trillion, the Pentagon has requested a separate $350 billion package.

Reader Comments: One Tyrant Down, More to Follow?; Iran Negotiations Led by Real Estate Magnates; No Longer Separation of Church and State, President Now Leading Global Theological Luminary; 7 Democrats Vote to Kill Bill Blocking Arms Sales to Israel

Is this a prelude to asking for the names of all Black people on campus who could have experienced or witnessed racism in the workplace? Or all women, queers, or trans people? Probably not – that would be woke DEI and critical race theory stuff.

Repression on campus is back in a big way, as readers far beyond the classroom know today. The saga of the Cold War years, once seemingly distant, now has lessons that we ignore to our peril.

Reader Comments: Minneapolis and Nation Respond to ICE; NBA Assoc Speaks Out; National Briefing - Minnesota and Beyond: Rapid Response to ICE in Occupied Cities; Planning Call-Stand with Minnesota-plan for NO WORK, NO SCHOOL, NO SHOPPING-MAY 1st;

As the Second Red Scare shows, when free speech is under attack, strategic compliance may be useful for individuals. However, bold and courageous acts of dissent are critical for protecting First Amendment rights for everyone.