Red Diaper Baby
Red Diaper Baby is a term used to describe the children of parents who were members of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA) or other radical left-wing organizations during the mid-20th century.[1][2] These individuals grew up in households where communist ideology and leftist political activism were prominent, often shaping their early worldview and political leanings.
Origins and Definition
The phrase "red diaper baby" emerged in the post-World War II era, referencing the "red" of communist symbolism and "diaper" to signify childhood.[3] It highlights the generational transmission of radical extreme left political beliefs. Specifically, a red diaper baby is someone raised by parents who were involved in communist or radical leftist politics, often active members of the CPUSA or associated movements.
Many red diaper babies were born during or shortly after the Great Depression and World War II, periods when communist and socialist ideas gained traction in the United States due to widespread economic hardship and the fight against Nazi Germany. The Cold War intensified scrutiny and stigmatization of communism in America as repeated communist agents penetrated the heights of American society and government, people such as Alger Hiss.
Notable 'Red Diaper Babies'
- Ronald Radosh: Historian and former communist who later became a prominent conservative intellectual, illustrating a significant ideological shift.
- David Horowitz: Another prominent figure who transitioned from a radical leftist to a conservative commentator, chronicling his journey in his memoir "Radical Son."
- Victor Navasky: Former editor of The Nation, known for his progressive views, grew up in a politically active leftist family.
- Carl Bernstein: Journalist who wrote about the Watergate scandal.
- Robert Meeropol and Michael Meeropol: children of Julius & Ethel Rosenberg, have been actively campaigning for the innocence of their parents.
- Angela Davis: black activist who preaches violence, militarism, and Communism.
- Bettina Aptheker: feminist scholar and activist.
- Milton Wolff: last commander of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, a group of Americans who fought in the Spanish Civil War on the side of the Communists.
Political and Cultural Impact
Many red diaper babies continued the legacy of communist political activism, pushing for black rights, anti-business policies, and anti-war movements during the 1960s and 1970s.
References
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- ↑ Redlands Daily Facts, Apr 29, 1965, Page 7 | https://www.newspapers.com/image/363941/
- ↑ Chicago Tribune, Aug 29, 1965, Page 16 | https://www.newspapers.com/image/376274420/
- ↑ Chicago Tribune, Oct 16, 1965, Page 12 | https://www.newspapers.com/image/376249710/