Workers of All Colors Unite: Race and the Origins of American Socialism

American socialists grappled with how to approach race during the industrial transformation, with white supremacists advocating for scientific theories of race and International Workingmens Association leaders rejecting the idea of racial division influencing worker-employer relations. Lorenzo Costaguta's book explores the journey of the socialist movement through this conflict, ultimately abandoning scientific racism in favor of an internationalist class-focused and racial-conscious American socialism, influenced by the cosmopolitan Marxist thinker Daniel De Leon.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 03 April 2023
Publisher: University of Illinois Press

As the United States embarked on its journey to become an industrial superpower, American socialists grappled with a challenging question: how to approach race in the context of this transformative era? To shed light on this complex issue, Lorenzo Costaguta employs a balanced approach, blending intellectual and institutional history. He delves into the clash between two major perspectives. On one side, white supremacists held the belief that labor should embrace and apply the emerging tenets of scientific theories of race. They argued that racial and ethnic divisions played a significant role in shaping worker-employer relations and that labor should align itself with these scientific theories to improve its position.

On the other hand, a group of socialists, led by International Workingmens Association (IWA) leaders J. P. McDonnell and F. A. Sorge, took a different stance. They rejected the notion that racial and ethnic division influenced worker-employer relations, instead emphasizing the primacy of class. They argued that class was the fundamental factor that shaped economic and social relationships and that race and ethnicity were secondary considerations.

Costaguta's historical narrative charts the socialist movements' journey through this conflict. He explores how the socialist movement navigated the complexities of race and class relations, ultimately leading to a rejection of scientific racism in favor of an internationalist, class-focused, and racial-conscious American socialism. As he demonstrates, the shift relied on a strong immigrant influence, exemplified by the cosmopolitan Marxist thinker and future IWA cofounder Daniel De Leon.

The class-focused movement that emerged became American socialism's most common approach to race in the twentieth century and beyond. It sought to unite workers of different races and ethnic backgrounds under the banner of a common class struggle, recognizing the intersectionality of race and class as a driving force for social change. This approach sought to challenge the dominant narratives of white supremacy and racial hierarchy, advocating for a more inclusive and equitable society.

Through his meticulous research and insightful analysis, Lorenzo Costaguta provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complex relationship between race, class, and socialism in American history. His book offers a rich and nuanced perspective on a topic that continues to be relevant and important in contemporary society. By exploring the historical roots, intellectual debates, and social movements that shaped American socialism's approach to race, Costaguta sheds light on the ongoing struggle for social justice and equality.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780252087073