A country of ‘uns’

For many years I have been mesmerized by the ability of the U.S. to place the prefix “un” in front of the word American and quickly obliterate the identity and life of the targeted person.

What does “Un-American” mean? It could only be defined as any person whose values and way of life is in conflict with those of the rest of us who are just plain Americans.

I began experimenting with placing the “un” in front of other countries but found that it did not have the same melodic effect . . . Un-British, Un-French, Un-Venezuelan, etc. As you can see, it doesn’t work. But, then I realized that this special use of “un” is what makes the U.S. exceptional, “we” can Un-Americanize anyone who does not share our goals and values. It’s like it was just made for us, like the “chosen” was specific to the Jewish people of the world. Because they were the “chosen,” God promised Palestine to them or so I’m told.

But, I stray . . . let me return to the “un.”

The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) was an investigative committee of the United States House of Representatives. It was originally created in 1938 to uncover citizens with Nazi ties within the United States. One could understand the U.S. hoping to identify Nazi sympathizers . . . they were spreading hate and violence and were a threat to the sovereignty of many European countries.

However, the committee (HUAC) changed its focus with the conclusion of WW2. The committee now focused its investigations on those people who were or who were alleged to be members of the Communist Party.

Evidently, being a member of the Communist Party or merely a sympathizer with their ideology and goals was enough to make one “Un-American.” Communists goals were seen to run counter to the ideals of “Americans.”

What exactly were the actions and goals of the American Communists? In the early 1930s, with the Depression raging throughout the country as well as around the globe, with people out of work, people unable to get food, shelter, medical care, etc., the Communists helped workers organize and form labor unions to help provide more humane working days (40-hour work week), working hours (8-hour work day), and worker safety. They were involved in ending child labor. This struggle to organize labor was not merely forming picket lines and walking in circles . . . it was violent with police or hired thugs attacking and killing strikers. They worked against racism in our society; they worked for mandatory public education, affordable housing, affordable and accessible health care, a fairer and more equitable distribution of wealth and resources, etc.

These were the people being labeled “Un-American,” accused of their values running contrary to the values of real Americans, patriotic Americans.

With the beginning of his second term as senator from Wisconsin in 1953, Joseph McCarthy, not to be confused with the former manager of the New York Yankees, was made chairman of the Senate Committee on Government Operations. And, the witch-hunt went into overdrive. The American Communist Party or anyone perceived to be a communist sympathizer, or one who knew and socialized with known communists was portrayed as wanting to overthrow the U.S. government and was a danger to U.S. security. They were often accused of working for or spying for the Soviet Union. Therefore, they were as “Un-American” as apple pie or Chevy Novas.

Initially, it was very difficult to understand how people working for the welfare of the working class and a more equitable society could be accused of being “Un-American.” Isn’t that “who we are”?

But, then I began to understand that, in fact, these communists were against all that the U.S. stood for and were truly “Un-American.” Because they challenged institutions that helped the ruling class maintain control, they were truly a danger to the U.S.

The U.S. is a country that supports white privilege, racism, class privilege, exploitation of the working class, the privatization of any scheme that can turn a profit, militarism, and imperialism, and individualism where everyone is on his/her own. The danger that the “uns” presented was that they challenged and refused to accept these ideals perpetrated by the U.S. They were, indeed, “Un-American.”

GOD BLESS AMERIKA AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMNESIA.

Dave Alpert has masters degrees in social work, educational administration, and psychology. He spent his career working with troubled inner city adolescents.