Group 1 (215)

Help From an Unlikely Hand (Peculiar Nzegbuna)

In 1931 after a fight broke out on the train at the Scottsboro, Alabama station between a group of African American and white boys, nine African American boys, ranging from ages 9 to low 20's, were accused for raping two white women. Despite evidence showing the rape never happened, all nine boys were tried the next day, and only lasted for a day initially. After eight of nine boys were sentenced to death by the electric chair, and the youngest sentenced to life imprisonment, the United States communist party intervened to order and took the case from Alabama to the Supreme Court. At the court, and as the Communist Party of the United States of America as the legal team of the boys, the case was ordered to be redone. While in prison, the Communist Party toured around Europe with the mother of two of the boys, Ada Wright. Unfortunately, it still took eighteen years for the last of the boys to be released. 

Document 1


This document is a flyer by the Communist Party of the United States of America upon the arrival of Ada Wright, mother of two of the Scottsboro boys, from Europe. The party highlights the European rally. It gives a little glimpse to what occurred during the tour. Ada Wright is portrayed as a symbol of Justice. The party also claims that their fight from justice within the conviction system is "connected with the fight of the white and Negro workers of Harlem against hunger, against discrimination, against racial persecution." The quote references the amount of old and young black men traveling far and wide across the country in hope of finding a job during the Great Depression. 

Document 2


This document is another flyer by the Communist Party of the United States of America. Here, they are inviting the public to a parade to celebrate the victories of the Scottsboro trials in New York City. This would mark Mrs. Ada Wright's first public appearance upon her return form her tour in Europe. In the poster, it is also clear that the party sees Ada Wright as an "ambassadress" to workers proving that they are not only fighting against the justice system but for African American workers. 

The Scottsboro trials would always remain as one of the most controversial cases in the history of the United States. Despite the girls testifying that they were not raped, the boys were still convicted. The documents prove how much the CPUSA took the case unto their own hands. Today, however, there is a dark connotation to the communist party. Whenever someone hears the word alone, they seem to recoil or wince a bit. And despite these documents proving an odd, but effective, aid in an unjust cause, there are other sources that brings to light the unjust methods try CPUSA that belittles the intelligence and race of the boys in attempts to win a case. 

Notes

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