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Revolutionary Integration: A Marxist Analysis of African American Liberation by Frazer & Boot
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Katherine B. Kaliski 02.SEP.04
Revolutionary
Integration tackles issues pertaining to racism, the Civil Rights
Movement and the state of black America from the 1960s through the
1980s, as seen from a Marxist perspective.
Specifically, the
authors address the notions of separatism as compared to integration,
pacifism versus forceful resistance, American apartheid; the disparity
amongst the classes, the role the white working-class should play in
the black struggle, as well as the role of white women and homosexuals
in the movement. Part one of the book suggest a massive surge of
mobilization of the working-class, whereby the white blue collar
community and the Black workers could ban together to over throw
dominant bourgeoisie racist American values.
Initially, the
discourse laden with Marxist/Socialist jargon, seemed heavy in theory,
and lacking in practicality. However, the second part of the book,
offers more concrete theory and history for which readers can gain a
stronger sense not only of the time period and the movement, but also
how this so-called strategy, Revolutionary Integration, might impact
our society.
Richard Fraser and Clara Fraser wrote the first
part of the book entitled “Dialectics of black Liberation,” which began
as a resolution at the 1963 Socialist Workers Party’s convention. Here,
the authors outline a strategy for Blacks in the southern “police
state.” The Frazer’s strategy is as follows: 1) deny southern
congressmen their seats in office, in order to cease the perpetual
violent prejudice authority that the southern states have maintained
for nearly a century, 2) disband and disarm authorities within the
southern jurisdiction, including police and sheriffs, 3) instate a
volunteer militia comprised of those who believe in the U.S.
Constitution, and finally, 4) give the newly formed militia supervisory
power over Congress to ensure universal suffrage of persons over the
age of 18.
Although the message behind the Frazer’s theory:
“racism as the prerequisite for capitalism’s establishment in our
hemisphere and, just like sexism, is necessary for its continued rule,”
although viable, the concept seemed vaguely communicated and
underdeveloped, as if only to present a shell or skeleton for its
readers. However, a more modern assessment of the notion of capitalism
as a breeding ground for racism would prove worthy of discussion.
Fast
forward seventeen years, and find author Tom Boot’s expanded version of
the Frazer’s earlier work, in the second portion of the book, entitled
“Revolutionary Integration: Yesterday and Today.” Boot analyzes radical
Black leaders, contending that although the framework for revolution
existed during the Civil Rights movement, weak and unorganized
leadership could not ensure a successful strategy. Undoubtedly I
welcome his criticism, but I must ask: can one centralized unit of
leadership speak for hundreds of thousands of heterogeneous
individuals, or did the dissention of the Black revolutionary leaders
of the 1960s (and even today), reflect a natural split in ideology,
offering a myriad of affiliations for which diverse individuals could
associate?
The book acknowledges various struggles (i.e.
feminism, sexual politics, black politics and the working-class
movement), don’t the various struggles, and the struggles within the
struggles warrant a diverse leadership?
The overall nature of
the book promotes optimism and you got it, integration and unity of not
only the white and black working classes, but of all oppressed peoples.
In fact, the authors disagree with the idea of separatism because in
order to win allies and make sociopolitical progress, a united front
must exist to create class solidarity and dismantle the racist,
capitalist ideals that plague our society. In Revolutionary
Integration, readers find an in-depth look at the relationships between
black revolutionary women and black revolutionary male leaders, and how
feminism transformed this relationship, as well as the relationship
between black and white women. Boot further assesses how black
homosexual revolutionaries contributed to and impacted the Civil Rights
Movement.
Red Letter Press published the book, and they publish
an array of other books dealing with socialism, feminism, revolutions
and leadership. If you appreciate strong theoretical criticisms and
particularly Marxist theory, Revolutionary Integration will shed light
on the Left’s efforts to understand and support the plight of Black
Americans, as well as sexism and homophobia in the movement. If, on the
other hand, you prefer more imagery and storytelling or biographical
accounts, you might find yourself daydreaming about errands you have to
accomplish. Revolutionary Integration, suggests hard and fast tactics
for crushing racism and destroying American apartheid.
 
02.SEP.04 Revolutionary Integration: A Marxist Analysis of African American Liberation by Frazer & Boot
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