This book is the story of one man s fight against those who would run rough shod over the disadvantaged, against those who are guided solely by their own interests rather than by those of the general public. Norman Thomas, known as the perennial-- and only -- Socialist candidate for the US Presidency, dedicated his life to the advancement of justice and social equality. He actually was much more of a civil rights leader than a Socialist leader.Past biographers have viewed Norman Thomas life through the prism of socialism. That point of view quite naturally flowed from Thomas twenty-five-year leadership of the Socialist Party. Norman Gregory, however, has examined Thomas life from a different perspective. Norman Thomas was first and foremost an advocate for the advancement of the civil rights and liberties of minorities, the poor, the oppressed, and the deprived, and he dedicated the whole of his life to those causes. Seen from that perspective, Thomas used Socialism to advance ideals that ultimately led to the enactment of the safety net that protects all Americans today -- Social Security, unemployment insurance, minimum wage laws, the abolition of child labor, workers compensation laws, progressive income taxation laws, and anti-discrimination laws protecting all races and nationalities as well as women, the disabled, and the aged. A conscientious objector in two world wars and a relentless advocate for world peace as well as social justice, Norman Thomas was tear-gassed, arrested, and jailed as he stood up for the rights of minorities, immigrants, and the working poor. In addition to being a civil rights activist, Thomas headed the Socialist Party for 18 years, ran for president six times, was a pacifist, and created several institutions to advance world peace and universal disarmament. He strongly and vocally opposed the Vietnam War.This biography highlights the values that lay behind his actions, values which included aspects of socialism but which also conflicted with the views of many Leftists.

Norman Thomas: The Great Dissenter PDF

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