The Struggle for Democracy: A Discussion

Special to the World

On Feb. 1, The New York Times printed an obituary of Johnnie Johnson, World War II ace pilot. The obituary reported that Mr. Johnson, a British fighter pilot, shot down 38 German aircraft, thus becoming the leading air ace of Europe in WWII. To keep the record straight the article went on to point out 'only one allied pilot,' American Richard Bong, who shot down 40 Japanese planes, 'had greater success during the war.'

A quick glance at the historical record will show that Soviet Air Marshall Ivan Kezhedub shot down 62 Nazi planes during the course of the war. In addition to Mr. Kezhedub, Aleksandr Pokryshkin scored 59 aerial victories and there are 11 Soviet pilots who shot down 40 planes. As anyone who can count can see these facts eliminate Mr. Johnson and Mr. Bong as the top two 'Allied' aces of WWII.

So the question becomes how does The New York Times, one of the most significant English language daily newspapers in the world, make such an elementary mistake. This is part of the legacy of American anti-Communism. Anything related to the working class, the Soviet Union or the Communist Party that could put any of the three in a favorable light is erased from the memory banks. The generation growing up today is raised in a world without the Soviet Union, and, given examples such as this, it is doubtful that they will learn much about it.

It is not uncommon in American history books and other accounts to see the first name of V.I. Lenin, the founder of the first Socialist state, wrongly listed as "Nikolai." This would be the equivalent of a foreign textbook giving the first name of General Washington as 'Joe.'

Popular culture also helps young minds create a perception of historical events and the world around them. The Oscar-winning Saving Private Ryan, followed by The Thin Red Line and the soon to be released Pearl Harbor are films that are sparking new interest in WWII.

It is doubtful, however, that those seeking details about this struggle to defeat global fascism will learn the role of the Red Army.

It is even less likely that students of history will learn of the heroic roles played during the war by active members of the Communist Party, USA. - men like Capt. Herman Boettcher, who lost his life in the South Pacific.

Many of those Communist veterans are still fighting for the rights of the working class. Chicago's Larry McGurty, a two time Bronze Star winner, and Milwaukee's John Gilman, winner of the Silver Star and nearly every other award short of the Congressional Medal of Honor, and there are dozens more. Their life stories, however, will probably never be told except on the pages of a paper like this one.

The Soviet Union was often criticized for dropping out of history books and encyclopedias those who had fought in the Russian revolution and later betrayed it, such as Leon Trotsky. Their names were no longer mentioned and their photos thrown away. Entire books have been written on this subject.

Occasionally the capitalist press convince themselves that they are being more honest by remembering the men but forgetting what they said. In January, we celebrated the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His moving 'I Have a Dream' speech was reprinted many times. The speech in which he said that his own country was the "greatest purveyor of violence in the world" was forgotten.

In February we celebrated Black History Month. Writer, intellectual and activist W.E.B. DuBois may get a mention in your local paper. The fact that he was a Communist may not. Activist, athlete and entertainer Paul Robeson will probably not get mentioned at all. At the close of the millennium Albert Einstein was named Time magazine's Man of the Century. His 1948 article in which he condemned capitalism and embraced socialism was not reprinted, however.

The capitalist press will keep a dark curtain drawn tight over these facts, because if the true history of the working class were printed, recorded and shown on film it might encourage us to learn more about what motivated these brave men and women. Young people might seek out information about the Soviet Union and, worse, the class struggle in world history. If they then apply these lessons to their own experiences a new generation of activists will be born and the shovels that will dig the grave of capitalism will break new ground.