Talk:Herbert Aptheker
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[edit] POV suspect
The article has slanted POV in at least two ways:
(1) It appears to overstate Aptheker's contribution to American historiography. In particular, I doubt that Aptheker's historical work on Black history (the excellence of which I am not disputing) single-handledly "demolished" previous accounts of Southern history that were biased for the Confederacy and racist, as the article suggests. What about the work of other historians of Black America, such as John Hope Franklin, who were Aptheker's contemporaries?
(2) The article ignores the most controversial aspects of Aptheker's Communist Party affiliation, and also ignores his later well-publicized break with the Party. Aptheker spent much of his political career as a Soviet apologist, generating particular fame for his publication "The Truth About Hungary," which -- contrary even to the views of Communist Party USA leadership at the time -- defended the 1956 Soviet invasion of Hungary. Aptheker penned a similar apologia for the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. Yet Aptheker later recanted these apologetics and became involved with a pro-Gorbachev Communist Party group known as the Committees of Correspondence. See generally [1].
I have not attempted edits because I do not have access to good primary source materials. However, edits to solve these problems would improve the article substantially.
Mr. Foster wrote: The fact that you have not provided any sources buttresses the fact that you are stating merely polemics. And contrary to your assertions-the article does address Dr. Aptheker's involvement with the communist party and much more. Maybe, his work is considered watershed because the historian who you offer as a alternative did not write his ground breaking work "From Slavery to Freedom" until 1947, post 1943-the year that Dr. Aptheker completed his exhaustive study of the "Negro Slave Revolts." Another reason that could warrant Dr. Aptheker's enshrinment as the 'authority' is he was the first 'non-Negro' to dispell the William Dunning School of Racist Historiography. Furthermore, Dr. Aptheker graduated from the same place where Dunning was Chair of the Political Science and History Departments. This is relevant.
Dr. DuBois and John Roy Lynch had begun the so-called 'revisionist' writing of Black's contribution to American society and its' institutions--but as you might surmise they were of African American heritage. Dr. Franklin, whom I admire for is prolific impact--when you read his works always seem to explain away the treachery performed in some beardian way. Beard was a historian who spoke to the economic effects of slavery.
As Dr. Franklin stated on CSPAN recently speaking about his new biography "Mirror to America" he mentioned that Myrdal's work on Blacks in America was important because he was suppose to be a non-Black writing about the topic or race in America and was not an American per se, so his views were to have more weight-so to speak. I contend the same for Dr. Aptheker.
Because you chose/choose not to do the research and find articles that support your position is not defenseable-simply because you state the obvious-you offer no notes or sources! And if he was on the wrong side-so to speak, with Russia, he got the issue on Vietnam correct. The Vietnamese never attacked American interests-but becasue the French-a God fearing people like the so-called U.S., were getting their lunch handed to them-they cried for help from a hegemonic power as they were--America, enters the fray-and lost 50,000+ lives for nothing! One's beliefs --religious or otherwise should not be the reason for denouncing them-in America--after all, I thought this nations was founded on being anti-inquisitorial. Well, that is unless you are pro-slavery and I can very well argue that is untennable and should be arrainged at the bar of public opinion.
I would like see what you would have to say about this nation's embarrasing record on equality and civil rights for all-not merely African Americans. No anti-lynching legislation-what a shame. "With all deliberate speed." Give me a break!
One last note: the reason why Dr. Franklin probably is not mentioned here is because he is of another type of historian who believes in giving "generous concessions." Aptheker probably was known for being a didactic historian-one who would not give such concessions and one who will not hesitate to set the record straight without equivocation or cicumlocution, ostensibly, to be neutral or "scientific!" See Dr. Franklin's public address as the incoming President to the AHA in 1979.
For example, if we know that no American ever spoke out about slavery while in Congress before becoming president or after-with the exception of JQA--then why not say so--why go around the mulberry bush--to lay indiscretion at the foot of context!
Then, you sir, or mam, leave an anonymous article-real classy!
Mr. Foster, B.A., Cum Laude, History, NCCU, Phi Alpha Theta: Epsilon-Alpha chapter, c/o 2003. Multimillionairesoon@hotmail.com
