V. I. Lenin on the ‘Black Question’

Pateman, Joe

Abstract

In his revolutionary activities and writings from 1913 to the fourth Comintern Congress in 1922, V. I. Lenin didn't merely analyse the function of black labour in the process of capitalist development. He also had something to say about the role that black people themselves would play in their own emancipation. His posthumously published article Russians and Negroes is particularly insightful. The guiding motto of the Comintern under the direction of Lenin-'Workers and oppressed peoples of all countries, unite!' fused the destinies of the racially subjugated black communities and working class in their struggles against imperialism. This article argues that Lenin showed a keen interest in what was then called the 'Black Question'. It shows that he adopted a non-reductive approach that highlighted the special character of black oppression in comparison to other forms. It concludes that his ideas remain relevant for the black liberation struggle today.

Citation

Pateman, J. (2020). V. I. Lenin on the ‘Black Question’. Critique: Journal of Socialist Theory, 48(1), 77-93. https://doi.org/10.1080/03017605.2019.1706786

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 17, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jan 21, 2020
• Publication Date: Jan 21, 2020
• Deposit Date: Dec 20, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 22, 2021
• Journal: Critique
• Print ISSN: 0301-7605
• Electronic ISSN: 1748-8605
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 48
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 77-93
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03017605.2019.1706786
• Keywords: Lenin; black people; oppression; working class, emancipation
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3606990
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03017605.2019.1706786
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=rcso20; Published: 2020-01-21