The Unemployment Council and the Communist Party

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 15 views

The Forgotten Hero: Angelo Herndon and the Fight for Workers' Rights

In the early 20th century, the United States was plagued by economic hardship, with millions of Americans struggling to find employment. Amidst this backdrop, a young man named Angelo Herndon emerged as a champion of the working class, organizing the Communist Party in Atlanta and founding the Unemployment Council to provide relief to the jobless. His tireless efforts, however, were met with resistance from the authorities, who saw him as a threat to the established order. In this article, we will delve into the life and struggles of Angelo Herndon, a true hero of the labor movement.

Angelo Herndon was born on September 6, 1913, in Birmingham, Alabama. Growing up in a poor African American family, Herndon was exposed to the harsh realities of racism and economic inequality from a young age. He began his activism in the 1930s, joining the Communist Party and becoming involved in various labor movements. Herndon's early activism was marked by his involvement in the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, a union that fought for better working conditions and higher wages for African American railroad porters.

The Unemployment Council and the Communist Party

In 1932, Herndon founded the Unemployment Council in Atlanta, a organization dedicated to providing relief to the jobless. The council offered food, clothing, and other essential services to those in need, and also provided a platform for workers to organize and demand better working conditions. Herndon's work with the Unemployment Council was closely tied to his involvement with the Communist Party, which he saw as a means to bring about radical change and challenge the existing power structures.

Imprisonment and the Fight for Workers' Rights

Herndon's activism, however, did not go unnoticed by the authorities. In 1933, he was arrested and charged with inciting a riot, a charge that was widely seen as a pretext for silencing him. Herndon's imprisonment was a turning point in his life, as it galvanized support for his cause and drew attention to the struggles of the working class. During his imprisonment, Herndon continued to organize and write, producing a series of articles and pamphlets that highlighted the injustices faced by workers.

The Herndon Case and the Supreme Court

Herndon's case eventually made its way to the Supreme Court, where it was argued that his imprisonment was unconstitutional. In a landmark decision, the court ruled that Herndon's imprisonment was indeed unconstitutional, citing the First Amendment's protection of free speech. The Herndon case marked a significant victory for the labor movement, as it established the principle that workers had the right to organize and speak out against injustice.

Angelo Herndon's legacy extends far beyond his own lifetime. His work with the Unemployment Council and the Communist Party helped to galvanize the labor movement, inspiring a new generation of activists to take up the fight for workers' rights. Herndon's courage in the face of adversity, particularly during his imprisonment, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.

In conclusion, Angelo Herndon was a true hero of the labor movement, a champion of workers' rights who refused to back down in the face of adversity. His work with the Unemployment Council and the Communist Party, as well as his imprisonment and subsequent victory in the Supreme Court, serve as a testament to his unwavering commitment to justice and equality. As we reflect on Herndon's life and legacy, we are reminded of the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.

Herndon, A. (1937). Let Me Live. New York: Harper & Brothers.
Herndon, A. (1938). The Negro in the Communist Party. New York: New Masses.
Kelley, R. D. G. (1990). Hammer and Hoe: Alabama Communists During the Great Depression. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press.
Rabinowitz, D. (1996). They Must Be Represented: The Politics of Labor in New Deal America. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Q&A: Angelo Herndon and the Fight for Workers' Rights

In our previous article, we explored the life and legacy of Angelo Herndon, a champion of workers' rights who fought tirelessly for justice and equality. Herndon's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. In this Q&A article, we will delve deeper into Herndon's life and work, answering some of the most frequently asked questions about this remarkable individual.

Q: Who was Angelo Herndon?

A: Angelo Herndon was a young African American man who was born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1913. He grew up in a poor family and was exposed to the harsh realities of racism and economic inequality from a young age. Herndon became involved in the labor movement in the 1930s, joining the Communist Party and becoming a key figure in the fight for workers' rights.

Q: What was the Unemployment Council, and what was its significance?

A: The Unemployment Council was an organization that Herndon founded in Atlanta in 1932. The council provided relief to the jobless, offering food, clothing, and other essential services to those in need. The Unemployment Council was significant because it provided a platform for workers to organize and demand better working conditions, and it helped to galvanize the labor movement in the South.

Q: Why was Herndon arrested and imprisoned?

A: Herndon was arrested and imprisoned in 1933 on charges of inciting a riot. However, many people saw this as a pretext for silencing him, and his imprisonment was widely condemned as a miscarriage of justice. Herndon's imprisonment was a turning point in his life, as it drew attention to the struggles of the working class and galvanized support for his cause.

Q: What was the significance of the Herndon case?

A: The Herndon case was significant because it made its way to the Supreme Court, where it was argued that Herndon's imprisonment was unconstitutional. In a landmark decision, the court ruled that Herndon's imprisonment was indeed unconstitutional, citing the First Amendment's protection of free speech. The Herndon case marked a significant victory for the labor movement, as it established the principle that workers had the right to organize and speak out against injustice.

Q: What is Herndon's legacy, and how does it continue to inspire people today?

A: Herndon's legacy is one of courage, conviction, and a commitment to justice and equality. His work with the Unemployment Council and the Communist Party helped to galvanize the labor movement, inspiring a new generation of activists to take up the fight for workers' rights. Herndon's story continues to inspire people today, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.

Q: What can we learn from Herndon's life and work?

A: We can learn many things from Herndon's life and work. First and foremost, we can learn the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. We can also learn the value of community and the power of collective action. Finally, we can learn the importance of fighting for justice and equality, and the need to continue to push for a more just and equitable society.

Herndon, A. (1937). Let Me Live. New York: Harper & Brothers.
Herndon, A. (1938). The Negro in the Communist Party. New York: New Masses.
Kelley, R. D. G. (1990). Hammer and Hoe: Alabama Communists During the Great Depression. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press.
Rabinowitz, D. (1996). They Must Be Represented: The Politics of Labor in New Deal America. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.