Color, Communism, and Common Sense - A True Story

by Manning Johnson

2020 Reprint of the 1958 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition and not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Here is the story of one Black American Communist who became disillusioned with Communism and penned this cautionary tale of the perils of his experience. According to the author: "Ten years I labored in the cause of Communism. I was a dedicated "comrade." All my talents and efforts were zealously used to bring about the triumph of Communism in America and throughout the world. To me, the end of capitalism would mark the beginning of an interminable period of plenty, peace, prosperity and universal comradeship. All racial and class differences and conflicts would end forever after the liquidation of the capitalists, their government and their supporters. ..Little did I realize until I was deeply enmeshed in the Red Conspiracy, that just and seeming grievances are exploited to transform idealism into a cold and ruthless weapon against the capitalist system-that this is the end toward which all the communist efforts among Negroes are directed. Indeed, I had entered the red conspiracy in the vain belief that it was the way to a "new, better and superior" world system of society. Ten years later, thoroughly disillusioned, I abandoned communism." From the preface.

Genres: Politics, History, Nonfiction, Sociology, Biography, Society, Philosophy

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2021

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't recall how I was led to read this obscure book but I am glad I was so led. The Marxism of Black Lives Matter (the organization, not the sentiment) caused me to research the issue. Manning and Roosevelt clearly reveal how communists stirred racial tensions for their benefit. However, the goal initially was integration at the expense of racial identity and specialization. While this seems laudable, isn't it odd that the current BLM movement stresses segregation instead? My thought is that having achieved integration, there must be a new issue to divide America to benefit, not the Black race, but socialism. The progress made in race relations must be negated and another unachievable goal be demanded. The same playbook is in place because the movement comes from the same authors. An enlightening book.

[Mark]

Manning exposes the Left leaning liberal politicians and their drive for power, and their progressive Left Wing movement toward Socialism and Communism for the purpose of retaining power over the people. This should be required reading for every High School student before they enter the brain washing environment of left wing higher education.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A+

[Arlene Reinhart Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Color, Communism And Common Sense should be in every household throughout America and should be required reading in our schools.

Written in 1958, the author, Manning Johnson was a dedicated Communist and he saw how the Communist Party planned to take over America. This is to be accomplished by dividing the country through our different races and cultures. The Communists see this as our weakest link. They will do this all under the umbrella of Socialism, putting into place more government in our daily lives.

They (the Communists) will not give up. Hopefully, good wins over evil or we will no longer recognize America.

[Mad Russian the Traveller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book. Some of the language is a bit sloganesque (but entertaining).
The explication of the methods of Communist agitation and use of the Black people in America present a playbook that seems to be wholly adopted by the Democratic Party. The Democrats are the inheritors of this method of using minorities to advance the goals of the party over actually helping and improving the conditions of the people being so used. They got this idea from the Communists in America (to be fair, some Republicans operate this way and are fellow travelers).

Never trust in political ideology to improve your people; that requires the hard work of individual self-improvement. Don't get taken in by collectivist thinking.

[Daniel Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very juicy stuff. This book was written in 1958 about the communist party of America and how they exploited black people for their purposes. The tactics employed by the "reds", or communists, are nearly identical to the sort of tactics we see from groups like BLM, antifa and just about anyone else who subscribes to far left ideologies today in 2020. Not everything discussed in the book aligns with present day race relations however, as Jim Crow was still in full swing when it was written. But it's enough to make you realize there is quite a bit more at play in our political climate as it relates to race than meets the eye.

[Jason Whitaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will challenge everything you know about racial issues in the US. You'd think this was written today, but it was written in 1958! Wild

[Chinedu Okonkwo · Rating 5 out of 5]

"No proclamation of emancipation is capable of freeing those who do not wish to be free." It's interesting that the same communist infiltration of America that happened in the 1920s is still very prevalent in America today by its sister, socialism, through the Universities. If only a lot of blacks will see through the leftist elites, politicians, progressives, etc for what they really are today as Manning Johnson did in the 10 years period between 1927-1937

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Natalie (Stop and Consider) mentioned this, and it sounded interesting, though definitely not in my usual line. It was, indeed, both interesting and unusual. It was very mid-century. Had the vibe of a black-and-white anti-Commie scare documentary. Who knows how much of it was true or not. I suspect some of each. The author resented being used as a propaganda tool by the Reds (I've never heard the word lickspittle used that many times), but I suspect he was also used as a propaganda tool by the Feds. Nowadays, there's so little difference between the Reds and the Feds that he might be out of a job in either direction. Still...his basic message is certainly true: communism is bad and insidious and no friend to black Americans.

The narrator had a good voice but pretty bad pronunciation. And he definitely wasn't a New Yorker. "Bedford Stoo-ey-vesant" was the tell there. 😉

[Ernie1241 · Rating 1 out of 5]

REPORT ON MANNING JOHNSON (based upon his FBI files)
https://archive.org/details/johnson-m...

[Christian D. D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read, more relevant than ever.

This book was recommended to me by a colleague who, like the author, is a black conservative who saw the light after previously buying into the leftist anti-American propaganda (although, in my buddy’s case, he wasn’t an actual card-carrying member of the Communist Party). I’m glad I took his advice, because this book is every bit as relevant now as when Manning Johnson (God rest his soul) wrote it back in circa 1958; the more things change, the more they stay the same, i.e. the Communists/Marxists have always been stirring up racial disharmony in order to co-opt and undermine the Black community and destroy America in the process, all the while doing so under the guise and false veneer of justice, the proverbial”wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be required reading in high school. I was shocked to find that we are still dealing with antifacists/communists whose sole purpose is to create racial strife and divide America. This was written in 58 and is still relevant.
This book was written by a black man in the fifties who joined a communist group. He tells of realizing what they truly were and getting out of the group.

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Manning Johnson's, former member of the Communist Party of America (CPA), gave us a scathing and eye-opening insight into the aims and methods of the CPA. Like BLM, ANTIFA and other vanguard Leftist movements today, the CPA relied heavily upon race strife to undermine American politics and culture. A must read for those seeking a understanding of today's foundational threats to our Republic.

[Alex Kearney · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the infiltration of the Civil Rights movement in America by the Communist Party in order to incite class conflict, upend the bourgeois capitalist system, and establish Communist rule. They did it then and they do it now. Blacking out your profile picture reduces yourself to their pawn. These people hate Christ and the white man, so they’ve infiltrated the Church and the white community.

[Ruthann Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was originally written in the 1950's. It is amazing how much of it echos the sentiments of today. They say history repeats itself, and this book clearly demonstrates that. There are several notes from the publisher, who adds in additional insites to what is happening today. I recommend this book for anyone 14 and up concerned about identity politics.

[Deb Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me, and I am so glad for that. Color, Communism and Common Sense was originally published in 1958, yet is so relevant today, that I believe every voting adult should read it. Manning Johnson tells how blacks were befriended then manipulated, and the examples he gives are still true today. Colleges and newspapers contributed to misleading information that blacks werre being told, and cancel culture, defunding the police, and more existed then similar to today. The divisive state of our nation reflects the state of racial tension in the 1930's, and it is through the knowledge of how people are being manipulated that this can begin to be remedied. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone.

[N.B. Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating take on the experience of a disillusioned communist party member in America. I don't know the circumstances under which this was written so this isn't a criticism, but I wish there was a bit more on the history of the author himself to go along with his explanations of what the communists were/are. As for those explanations, they are detailed and ominous. It's interesting how, despite the fall of the Soviet Union, these tactics they utilized remain in the culture to this day. Johnson makes it clear that the most important type of freedom is mental.

[Jessica Edmonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This truly sounds like a book that was written today. The current problems in our country were set into motion long ago. The author saw the manipulation first hand and knew exactly where it would lead us.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most well-written booklet. But, a unique and therefore interesting historical take on Communism in the U.S. in the early 20th century. Portions appear to apply to today's troubles.

[Kyle Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has never been more prevalent. BLM and antifa need to check this book out and take a look at who's funding them.

[Matt MacD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing to read in 2020 and have to remind yourself the book is over 60 years old.

[JohnnyB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Authored during the communist concerns in the 1950s. Same leftist progressivism play book remains in play now but as socialism. Enlightening book.

[Steve Dustcircle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Red Scare rubbish. Half the claims unfounded, and the rest are rooted in racist jargon. Junk oligarchy b.s.

[Joe Cochran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Color, Communism, and Common Sense was an eye-opening experience that profoundly shifted my understanding of the racial tensions we continue to grapple with in our society today. What struck me most about this book was learning how deeply and deliberately Soviet Communists worked to exploit racial divides in America — something I had never realized prior to reading it.

Manning Johnson, a former high-ranking member of the Communist Party USA, offers a firsthand account of how communism sought to infiltrate and manipulate civil rights movements in the United States, not with the goal of advancing equality, but to sow division and unrest. The revelations throughout this book are both startling and illuminating, especially in showing how calculated these efforts were to pit Americans against each other based on race.

Johnson outlines how the Communist Party actively targeted African American communities, using grievances — real or perceived — as tools to undermine American values and institutions. It was both fascinating and disturbing to see how these tactics were deployed decades ago and to reflect on how similar methods may still influence our social and political discourse today.

This book is not only historically valuable but educational in the truest sense. It sheds light on a chapter of American history that is rarely discussed in mainstream education, and I’m glad I took the time to read it. Without this book, I would not have known how significantly communism intersected with the racial dynamics in America’s past.

Color, Communism, and Common Sense is a must-read for anyone interested in history, politics, or the complexities of race relations in America. It's a compelling, thoughtful read that leaves you thinking long after the last page is turned.

[David Mccowan · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 / 5 Stars.

TL;DR: The focus on integration, rather than pragmatic concerns, has stifled Black communities and has been exploited by communists to create unrest in America.

Johnson's thesis can be summarized as follows:

- Communists use Black communities to destabilize the US.
- Communists hinder the advancement of Black communities.
- Communists are racist.
- Communists shift the responsibility of Black communities to blame Whites.
- Communists collect money but do not invest in increasing Black capital.

Does Johnson prove his point?

No, but this book is also only approximately 20,000 words and does not approach the subject systematically:

- It reads more like a rant.
- It leans more towards the Booker T. Washington perspective than that of W.E.B. Du Bois.

While it does include references, they are not sufficient to substantiate its claims. Applying Johnson’s arguments to current day scenarios is left as an exercise for the reader.

Consider reading only if:

You are interested in a primary source from a former Black Communist.

Thomas Sowell’s "Intellectuals and Race" provides a better treatment of concerns similar to Johnson’s, but with a focus on present day issues.

This book is generally overrated by other reviewers.

[Gustavo Gomez, Ph.D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a low-quality publication but a fascinating book by Manning Johnson.
Mr. Johnson was a black American who joined the USA communist party in 1930. He served the communist party at a high level from 1931 to 1939.

Notwithstanding his lofty ranking in the USA communist party, he left the organization in 1939. Manning became disillusioned when he realized that the communist party was using black Americans as pawns hoping to incite a bloody racial conflict that would create division in America.

The objective of this communist party strategy, which still continues in America today, is to make America a communist country. Manning stated that the division that would be created would weaken the nation and allow Communists to gain power.

This book by Manning Johnson is a must-read to understand the communist agenda from the perspective of a black American.

[Stacey Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

🤔 Sounds a lot like what Black Lives Matter was preaching. Wouldn't have anything to do with the leader being a Marxist would it? 🤔🧐

Very informative and interesting. I normally get bored listening to stuff like this, but I kept seeing similarities to stuff I'm seeing a lot of today with BLM and Antifa, etc.

Highly recommend to anyone who is interested in learning about the inner workings of Communism.

[Jimmy Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting insights into a subject I knew basically nothing about--the communist infiltration of black institutions and organizations in the early part of the 20th century. Manning Johnson provides good information as one who became part of the communist effort and then left communism when he saw that it harmed black people as well as all citizens of the U.S. He chose to turn instead back to the principles of the U.S. constitution.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super short read which is why I gravitated towards it in the first place but it was actually mind blowing to read. I feel like the current climate of the world and politics is a direct link to what Manning Johnson stated here. Definitely worth the read! I would’ve given 5 stars if it was a little more beginner friendly to the subject in the beginning but it was still easy enough to understand.

[EvidentCarrion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book Should Be on Everyone's Bookshelf

This book should be mandatory reading for all high school students in their first year. It gives an unequivocal account from a man who believed in a failed cause, that saw the light, and exposed this cause and himself and testified in front of Congress in order to save you our nation from self-destruction.