Communism W. E. B. Du Bois

du bois meets mao zedong in china in 1959

in 1950, @ age of 82, du bois ran u.s. senator new york on american labor party ticket , received 200,000 votes, or 4% of statewide total. du bois continued believe capitalism primary culprit responsible subjugation of colored people around world, , therefore – although recognized faults of soviet union – continued uphold communism possible solution racial problems. in words of biographer david lewis, du bois did not endorse communism own sake, did because enemies of enemies friends . same ambiguity characterized du bois s opinions of joseph stalin: in 1940 wrote disdainfully of tyrant stalin , when stalin died in 1953, du bois wrote eulogy characterizing stalin simple, calm, , courageous , , lauding him being first [to] set russia on road conquer race prejudice , make 1 nation out of 140 groups without destroying individuality .

the u.s. government prevented du bois attending 1955 bandung conference in indonesia. conference culmination of 40 years of du bois s dreams – meeting of 29 nations africa , asia, many independent, representing of world s colored peoples. conference celebrated independence, nations began assert power non-aligned nations during cold war. in 1958, du bois regained passport, , second wife, shirley graham du bois, traveled around world, visiting russia , china. in both countries celebrated , given guided tours of best aspects of communism. du bois later wrote approvingly of conditions in both countries. 90 years old.

du bois became incensed in 1961 when u.s. supreme court upheld 1950 mccarran act, key piece of mccarthyism legislation required communists register government. demonstrate outrage, joined communist party in october 1961, @ age of 93. around time, wrote: believe in communism. mean communism, planned way of life in production of wealth , work designed building state object highest welfare of people , not merely profit of part.