TrueAnon Episode 102: Fed As Folk
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Sep 25, 2020 Aaron Leonard, historian and author of 'The Folk Singers and the Bureau', joins to explore the fascinating ties between folk music and communism in mid-20th century America. He shares insights on artists like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, and how their legacies reflect the political upheaval of the era. The discussion also covers the intense FBI surveillance strategies targeting the Communist Party and the moral quandaries faced by those involved. Throughout, Leonard balances serious history with whimsical anecdotes about quirky musicians.
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Interplay of Folk Music and Communism
- The American folk scene and Communist Party rose together in the 40s and 50s, influencing one another.
- Many prominent folk artists had close ties to the Party, not just as fellow travelers but deeply connected.
Party's Role in Radical Art
- The Communist Party was a vehicle that brought diverse radical artists together creating a unique cultural milieu.
- Without this connection, the notable political folk art of the time would likely not have existed.
Hope Drove Radical Involvement
- Radical artists of the 30s and 40s gravitated to Communism as it seemed to offer real solutions to social injustices.
- That ideological hope is lacking today, making the earlier era’s radicalism unique and somewhat lost.
