Harry Haywood, American soldier and politician (d. 1985)

Harry Haywood: A Leading Voice in American Communism and Racial Justice

Harry Haywood (February 4, 1898 – January 4, 1985) was a pivotal American political activist who left an indelible mark on the landscape of both the Communist Party of the United States (CPUSA) and, to some extent, the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU). His profound life's work was dedicated to a singular, ambitious goal: to meticulously integrate and align the political philosophy of the Communist Party with the deeply entrenched and pervasive issues of race in America, particularly those affecting African Americans.

Pioneering the "Black Belt Thesis" and Early Soviet Engagement

Haywood’s commitment to addressing racial inequality through a Marxist lens became evident early in his career. In 1926, recognizing the critical need to understand global approaches to racial issues, he embarked on a significant journey. Alongside other African-American Communists, he traveled to the Soviet Union. The purpose of this trip was to observe firsthand and study the theoretical and practical effects of Communism on racial issues, drawing comparisons and seeking solutions relevant to the United States.

This formative experience and his insightful contributions during his time in the USSR proved instrumental. His work culminated in his selection to lead the Communist Party's Negro Department, a crucial body within the CPUSA dedicated to formulating and implementing policies related to African American liberation. A cornerstone of his theoretical contributions, heavily influenced by the Communist International (Comintern), was the "Black Belt thesis." This theory posited that African Americans in the Southern United States constituted an oppressed nation with the right to self-determination, potentially even including the right to establish an independent republic within the so-called "Black Belt" region where they formed a majority.

Navigating Shifting Party Dynamics and Enduring Activism

However, the political landscape within the CPUSA was dynamic. By the late 1930s, the party platform began to undergo significant shifts, particularly with the advent of the Popular Front strategy which prioritized broad anti-fascist unity over specific revolutionary demands like African-American self-determination. This strategic realignment led the party to gradually move away from its more radical advocacy for a separate "Black Belt" nation. As the party's platform evolved and its focus broadened, Haywood, a staunch proponent of the original national question thesis, progressively found his influence and standing within the party diminished.

Despite these internal party struggles, Haywood's commitment to racial justice remained unwavering. His work extended beyond theoretical contributions into direct activism. Notably, he played a significant role in the efforts to support the "Scottsboro Boys" case, a highly publicized and controversial legal battle from the 1930s involving nine African American teenagers falsely accused of rape in Alabama. Haywood was instrumental in creating and organizing a group specifically dedicated to aiding their defense, highlighting the pervasive racial injustice within the American legal system and the CPUSA's significant role in challenging it.

A Literary Legacy: Author and Theorist

Beyond his direct political organizing, Haywood was also a prolific author whose writings profoundly shaped Marxist discourse on race. His first significant work, Negro Liberation, was published in 1948. This book served as a foundational text, meticulously detailing and defending the Communist Party's position on the national question of African Americans and arguing for their right to self-determination as an oppressed nation.

Following his expulsion from the CPUSA in 1959—a period marked by internal ideological purges and shifts in party line, particularly regarding de-Stalinization and the Sino-Soviet split—Haywood penned his powerful autobiography, Black Bolshevik. Published in 1978, this memoir offered a candid, insider's account of his life within the Communist movement, his unwavering commitment to racial justice, and his perspective on the ideological battles that ultimately led to his separation from the party.

Throughout his career, Haywood contributed major theoretical insights to Marxist thinking, particularly on the complex "national question" as it applied to African Americans in the United States. He rigorously argued for understanding African Americans not merely as a racial minority but as an oppressed nation with unique historical and material conditions, requiring specific revolutionary strategies for liberation.

Founding the Maoist New Communist Movement

In his later years, remaining committed to revolutionary ideals, Haywood became a prominent figure in the Maoist New Communist movement in the United States. This movement, which emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, drew inspiration from Mao Zedong's thought and often critiqued what it saw as "revisionism" within the Soviet Union and other established Communist parties. As a co-founder, Haywood continued to advocate for radical social change and the struggle against all forms of oppression, including racial and national subjugation, until his passing in 1985.

Frequently Asked Questions About Harry Haywood

Who was Harry Haywood and what was his primary focus?
Harry Haywood (1898-1985) was a prominent American political activist and author. His primary focus was to integrate the political philosophy of Communism with the pressing issues of race in the United States, particularly advocating for the liberation of African Americans.
What was the "Black Belt thesis" and how was Haywood involved?
The "Black Belt thesis" was a key theory, heavily influenced by the Communist International (Comintern), which argued that African Americans in the Southern United States constituted an oppressed nation. Haywood was a leading proponent of this theory, advocating for their right to self-determination, potentially even to form an independent republic in the Southern "Black Belt" region.
How did Haywood's stance within the Communist Party change over time?
Initially, Haywood was a leading figure, heading the Party's Negro Department. However, by the late 1930s, the CPUSA's platform shifted with the Popular Front strategy, de-emphasizing the "national question" for broader anti-fascist unity. This change led to a decline in Haywood's influence within the party as he remained a staunch advocate for the Black Belt thesis.
What significant legal case did Harry Haywood help with?
Harry Haywood was actively involved in creating a group to assist with the defense in the "Scottsboro Boys" case, a landmark legal battle in the 1930s where nine African American teenagers were falsely accused of rape in Alabama.
What were Harry Haywood's most notable books?
His first major book was Negro Liberation, published in 1948, which outlined his theoretical contributions on the national question. After his expulsion from the CPUSA, he wrote his autobiography, Black Bolshevik, published in 1978, offering an insider's perspective on his life and the Communist movement.
What was the New Communist movement that Haywood helped found?
After his expulsion from the CPUSA, Harry Haywood became a co-founder of the Maoist New Communist movement. This movement emerged in the 1960s and 70s, drawing inspiration from Mao Zedong's thought and often critiquing established Communist parties, continuing to advocate for revolutionary struggle and the fight against oppression.