Angelo Herndon’s Labor Organizing (1932)"You Cannot Kill the Working Class"
Black History Through the Lens of Liberation
Angelo Herndon (1913–1997) was a radical Black labor organizer whose courage and dedication to racial and economic justice reshaped labor activism during the Great Depression. His leadership, particularly through the Communist Party and the Unemployed Councils, highlighted the intersection of race and class oppression at a time when organizing against both was considered revolutionary—and dangerous.
In 1932, Herndon’s organizing in Atlanta, Georgia, led to his arrest and conviction on charges of “insurrection,” a relic of the state’s slave-era legal system. His case became a national symbol of the battle for workers’ rights, racial justice, and free speech, illustrating how Black labor organizing has always been criminalized in the U.S.
Herndon’s work and trial remind us that the fight for labor rights is inseparable from the fight for racial equity and liberation. His story offers valuable lessons on collective action, resilience, and the power of solidarity across lines of race and class.
The Great Depression and Rising Labor Unrest
The early 1930s were a time of extreme economic hardship in the U.S. as the Great Depression left millions unemployed, hungry, and desperate. In the South, where segregation and sharecropping continued to enforce racial hierarchies, Black workers faced even more dire conditions. Unemployment rates among Black workers were disproportionately high, and those who did have jobs were often paid less than their white counterparts.
Enter Angelo Herndon—a young Black man from Kentucky who had witnessed firsthand the cruelty of racial exploitation in coal mines and industrial work. By 1931, Herndon had joined the Communist Party, seeing it as a vehicle for fighting both capitalism and white supremacy. His involvement with the party’s Unemployed Councils brought him to Atlanta, where he helped organize demonstrations demanding unemployment relief, adequate housing, and the right to unionize.
Almost every working-class family, especially in those days, nursed the idea that one of its members, anyway, would get out of the factory and wear clean clothes all the time and sit at a desk. My family was no exception. They hoped that I would be the one to leave the working-class. They were ready to make almost any sacrifices to send me through high-school and college. They were sure that if a fellow worked hard and had intelligence and grit, he wouldn't have to be a worker all his life.
Organizing in Atlanta: Defying Jim Crow
Herndon’s organizing efforts in Atlanta centered on addressing the needs of poor and unemployed workers, especially Black sharecroppers and industrial laborers who were being pushed further into poverty. He helped lead a multiracial coalition that advocated for:
Relief benefits for unemployed workers.
An end to racist hiring practices and wage discrimination.
Protection for tenant farmers and sharecroppers facing eviction.
Herndon’s ability to unite Black and white workers was groundbreaking at the time, as Southern racism often divided the labor movement. But to Herndon, the issues of race and class oppression were inherently linked. He argued that Black workers’ liberation could not be achieved without confronting capitalism and that white workers’ interests were also tied to dismantling racial divisions designed to uphold exploitative labor practices.
Reflection: What role does solidarity across racial and class lines play in building effective social movements today?
Herndon’s Arrest and the Charge of “Insurrection”
On July 11, 1932, Herndon was arrested for possessing Communist literature and organizing workers. Georgia authorities charged him under an antiquated “insurrection” law originally meant to prevent enslaved people from rebelling. The charge was an obvious attempt to suppress labor organizing, especially when it involved Black leadership.
Herndon’s trial became a spectacle, with prosecutors framing him as a dangerous radical threatening the stability of Southern society. The prosecution’s reliance on racist rhetoric was clear—they depicted Herndon’s advocacy for worker rights as a direct challenge to white supremacy.
In 1933, Herndon was convicted and sentenced to 18-20 years in prison. His case drew national attention, with the Communist Party, NAACP, and other progressive organizations launching campaigns to secure his release. They argued that Herndon’s conviction was not just a violation of his rights but an attack on the broader labor and civil rights movements.
Reflection: What can we learn from Herndon’s case about how the state criminalizes Black resistance and social movements?
National and International Support for Herndon
Herndon’s case became a cause célèbre, with activists and intellectuals rallying to his defense. Langston Hughes, a prominent Black poet and writer, penned a poem in Herndon’s honor titled “Christ in Alabama”, drawing parallels between Herndon’s persecution and the broader crucifixion of Black people under white supremacy.
Christ in Alabama
By Langston Hughes
Christ is a nigger,
Beaten and black:
Oh, bare your back!
Mary is His mother:
Mammy of the South.
Silence your mouth.
God is His father:
White Master above
Grant Him your love.
Most holy bastard
Of the bleeding mouth.
Nigger Christ
On the cross
Of the South.
Herndon’s supporters argued that his conviction was unconstitutional, as it criminalized free speech and peaceful assembly. The case eventually reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in 1937 that Georgia’s insurrection law was unconstitutional, leading to Herndon’s release.
Herndon’s legal victory was significant, but the backlash he faced also highlighted the deep-seated fear of Black organizing in the U.S. The state’s efforts to suppress him were not just about labor organizing—they were about maintaining white dominance by silencing Black leaders who challenged the status quo.
Gun Control, Labor Suppression, and Racial Control
Herndon’s story also ties into broader patterns of how the state weaponizes laws to disarm and control Black communities. Just as gun control has been historically tied to controlling Black resistance, labor laws and sedition charges have been used to criminalize Black labor organizing.
During Herndon’s time, being Black and armed with radical ideas was seen as just as dangerous as being Black and physically armed. The criminalization of labor organizing through insurrection laws is part of a broader history of suppressing any form of Black self-determination, whether through armed resistance, labor unions, or grassroots activism.
Reflection: How do today’s laws and policies continue to criminalize Black activism and self-determination?
The Legacy of Angelo Herndon
Herndon’s legacy lies in his unwavering commitment to organizing despite the personal cost. His work paved the way for future labor movements, especially those that centered Black workers and highlighted the intersection of racial and economic justice.
Today, movements like the Fight for $15, Black Lives Matter, and tenant unions carry forward Herndon’s vision of collective action. His life also serves as a reminder of the importance of defending civil liberties and protecting the right to organize.
Actionable Step: Research contemporary labor organizers or organizations fighting for workers’ rights, especially those focused on marginalized communities. How can you support their efforts or learn from their organizing strategies?
Why Angelo Herndon’s Story Still Matters
The story of Angelo Herndon shows us that Black liberation and labor rights have always been intertwined. His fight wasn’t just about wages or working conditions—it was about dignity, humanity, and the right to resist oppression.
As we continue to face economic inequality, racial injustice, and efforts to suppress organizing, Herndon’s story reminds us that solidarity, resilience, and collective action are key to building a more just world.
A 28-Day Journey Through Black Resistance and Liberation
This lesson is part of my 28-Day Journey Through Black Resistance and Liberation, a living document designed to provide families, educators, and individuals with resources to explore Black history through the lens of resilience, defiance, and cultural pride.
Join the journey today: Link to Lesson Plan
In solidarity and liberation,
Desireé B. Stephens CPS-P
Educator | Counselor | Community Builder
Founder, Make Shi(f)t Happen