The I.W.O. and Its Work Among National Groups: Purposes of the Order
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- Title (English):
- The I.W.O. and Its Work Among National Groups: Purposes of the Order
- Collection:
- International Workers’ Order (IWO) and Jewish People's Fraternal Order (JPFO)
- Set:
- Black Jewish Relations
Conferences, Conventions, Meetings
Culture Front
Popular Front Years
Women's Work - Creator:
- International Workers Order (IWO)
- Organization:
- International Workers Order
- Date:
- ca. 1940
- Coordinates:
- 40.73591,-73.99406
- Latitude:
- 40.73591
- Longitude:
- -73.99406
- Location:
- New York, New York, United States
- ID Number:
- 5276b49f16_07
- File Name:
- 5276b49f16_07.pdf
- Address (creator):
- 80 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York
- Work Type:
- organization files
reports
drafts (documents)
feminism
immigrants
proposals
political ideologies and attitudes
communism
capitalism
nationalism - Subject:
- IWO JPFO Organizational History
IWO JPFO- Reports, Meetings, and Conferences
Fraternal Orders- Lodges, Activities
Youth
Black Jewish Relations
National Sections
Membership- Benefits, Insurance
Political
Immigrants
Capitalism
Women [Women's clubs, organizing]
Culture Front- Organizing
Soviet Union
Intelligentsia
Jewish Lodges
Social Security - Description:
- 15 pages. Redacted draft similiar to "Draft Report Regarding Work Among National Groups." Translated Summary: Explicitly mentions "national" groups in connection to bourgeois nationalism, capitalism and racism. As to "Why Work Among National Groups" the answer is given that racism is an outgrowth of capitalism: "the enemies of the working people of America try to interfere with the natural and progressive process of assimilation....Thus national antagonisms and prejudices are kept alive." (3). National lodges need to be harnessed to become a model of working together under one IWO fraternal umbrella to fight capitalism. However, the section "Order Must Combat Nationalist Influence" (4) has been fully crossed out. Calls for combating "cultural nationalism" to replace it with class consciousness (4-5). Much is devoted to the importance of immigrants, America as an immigrant nation, and immigrants as targets under capitalism. Part of proposed solution is having different groups work together at a neighborhood level. Argues against expansion of National Sections to include English speakers or Women's groups. The answer given as to "Why No English Lodges of National Sections" is that it would "feed nationalist feeling;" "our job is not to make American workers conscious of the country of their origin." Work among Women a Special Problem" is also entirely crossed-out in this draft. States "National Appartus Must be Simplified" and calls for strengthening G.E.B. (General Executive Board) and the state organizations. Specifically "the lodges [must] become ever more effective means of assimilating and unifying the masses who join them." (12) Connected to proposals to organize more outside of New York and focus on English speaking lodges as opposed to National Sections. Apparently written in anticipation of the 1940 Convention. Likely to be authored by Max Bedacht and/or Herbert Benjamin.
- Notes:
- Most likely written in 1939 to early 1940. One of a series of documents proposing a reorganization.
The Jewish People’s Fraternal Order was the largest ‘national’ section of the International Workers Order (IWO) which focused on cultural awareness and celebration, mutual support especially in health insurance coverage, and anti-fascist activities. The IWO also gave particular emphasis to supporting the rights and interests of African Americans. Documents include language and representations which comprise the historical record and should not be interpreted to mean that Cornell University or its staff endorse or approve of negative representations or stereotypes presented. - Cite As:
- International Workers Order (IWO) Records #5276. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.
- Relationships:
- 19043813
- Repository:
- Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Martin P. Catherwood Library, Cornell University
- Archival Collection:
- International Workers Order (IWO) Records, 1915-2002 (KCL05276)
- Box:
- 49
- Folder:
- 16
- Format:
- Image
- Rights:
- The copyright status and copyright owners of most of the images in the International Workers Order (IWO) Records Collection (Kheel Center #5276) are unknown. This material was digitized from physical holdings by Cornell University Library in 2016, with funding from an Arts and Sciences Grant to Jonathan Boyarin. Documents include language and representations which comprise the historical record and should not be interpreted to mean that Cornell University or its staff endorse or approve of negative representations or stereotypes presented. Cornell is providing access to the materials as a digital aggregate under an assertion of fair use for non-commercial educational use. The written permission of any copyright and other rights holders is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use that extends beyond what is authorized by fair use and other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. Cornell would like to learn more about items in the collection and to hear from individuals or institutions that have any additional information as to rights holders. Please contact the Kheel Center at kheel_center@cornell.edu