The Red Scare Revival: A Tale of Misplaced Fears and Forgotten Facts

As President Trump warns of a “mortal threat” to American liberty, surpassing even World War I, II, Pearl Harbor, or 9/11, the echoes of past politics become clear. We’ve been here before, in the midst of Red Scare politics, where communism looms large and rhetoric gets hot. But scratch beneath the surface, and what emerges is not a sinister plot but a relic of a bygone era.

The unlikely headquarters of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA) sits at 235 W. 23rd St. in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. The building’s lobby, with its black-and-white signage and gray walls, belies any hint of ideological fervor. In fact, the CPUSA is not merely a tenant but the owner of the very building itself.

The reality on the ground is that the CPUSA is more akin to a community organization than a shadowy cabal bent on world domination. With an office staff of just two people – co-chair Joe Sims and assistant Brooklyn Crawford – it’s hard to see how they pose a significant threat to national security. As Sims notes, despite the president’s bluster, there have been no Justice Department demands, congressional subpoenas, or right-wing agitators outside their doors.

Trump’s beef with communism is puzzling. Is it a genuine concern for American liberties or merely a distraction from more pressing issues? The answer lies not in the CPUSA itself but rather in nostalgia-tinged rhetoric of yesteryear. In an era where genuine threats abound – cyber warfare, terrorism, and pandemics – the Red Scare revival serves as a convenient smokescreen.

History shows that each time we revisit the Red Scare, it’s our own fears and anxieties on full display. The 1950s saw Soviet spies; the 1980s, “Communist” Nicaragua. Today, it’s déjà vu all over again. In reality, communism as an ideology has never posed a significant threat to American democracy.

Politicians who exploit our fears and anxieties for their own gain must be watched closely. We must not fall prey to fear-mongering rhetoric but strive for a more nuanced understanding of the world around us. The CPUSA may not be a major player in American politics, but it serves as a reminder that even unlikely groups can survive against all odds.

As we navigate this rabbit hole of Red Scare politics, one thing is clear: fact and fiction must be separated, and our fears must not get the better of us. Sims’ words ring true: “It’s not a crime to be a Communist in this country.”