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2. Culture Wars And Political Backlash James - Shapiro
Published 1 month, 3 weeks ago
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CAPTION 1935 WPA "IT Can't Happen Here."
Culture Wars And Political Backlash
James Shapiro, Part Two: This segment details the political battle that destroyed the Federal Theatre Project, laying the groundwork for modern culture wars. Shapiro discusses Representative Martin Dies, an ambitious, racist politician who headed the newly formed House Un-American Activities Committee. Dies targeted the theatre project, accusing its popular shows of spreading communist propaganda. Specifically, popular living newspapers like One-Third of a Nationangered powerful real estate interests and conservative congressional opponents by exposing urban poverty. Meanwhile, the administration actively suppressed unproduced Black plays like Liberty Deferred, which featured a satirical depiction of lynching. Armed with false accusations from Hazel Huffman, a disgruntled, opportunistic receptionist who read Flanagan's mail, the committee aggressively smeared the project. Hallie Flanagan's defense failed to persuade congressmen who mocked her artistic terms, resulting in Congress defunding the project in 1939. This historic clash established a political playbook that continues to target all public arts funding across America today. (2)
Culture Wars And Political Backlash
James Shapiro, Part Two: This segment details the political battle that destroyed the Federal Theatre Project, laying the groundwork for modern culture wars. Shapiro discusses Representative Martin Dies, an ambitious, racist politician who headed the newly formed House Un-American Activities Committee. Dies targeted the theatre project, accusing its popular shows of spreading communist propaganda. Specifically, popular living newspapers like One-Third of a Nationangered powerful real estate interests and conservative congressional opponents by exposing urban poverty. Meanwhile, the administration actively suppressed unproduced Black plays like Liberty Deferred, which featured a satirical depiction of lynching. Armed with false accusations from Hazel Huffman, a disgruntled, opportunistic receptionist who read Flanagan's mail, the committee aggressively smeared the project. Hallie Flanagan's defense failed to persuade congressmen who mocked her artistic terms, resulting in Congress defunding the project in 1939. This historic clash established a political playbook that continues to target all public arts funding across America today. (2)