Charlotta Bass and Langston Hughes: A West Coast Collaboration Rooted in Justice

Charlotta Bass, the pioneering journalist and civil rights advocate, had a deeply impactful and nuanced relationship with Langston Hughes, the renowned poet, writer, and playwright. Both were fierce advocates for social justice, equality, and the rights of African Americans. Their bond was shaped by their shared political values, mutual respect, and their roles in Black activism during a particularly volatile era in American history. Bass, as editor and publisher of the California Eagle, often featured Hughes’ writings and supported his activism, while Hughes viewed Bass as a key ally in the fight for racial justice and against the oppressive political climate of McCarthyism.

The Early Connections Between Bass and Hughes

Charlotta Bass’s California Eagle was one of the most prominent Black newspapers on the West Coast, and she used it as a platform to champion civil rights causes and amplify Black voices, including those of leading Black intellectuals and artists like Hughes. Hughes, whose literary work was celebrated in Harlem and beyond, was also a political figure who challenged racial injustice, capitalism, and class inequality through his writings. As his political consciousness evolved, particularly during the Great Depression and later, Bass provided a space for his ideas, despite the risks that such open support carried in a time of growing anti-communist fervor.

By the late 1930s and 1940s, both Bass and Hughes were navigating the turbulent waters of American race relations and labor struggles. Hughes had become increasingly aligned with leftist ideologies, criticizing capitalism for its exploitation of Black people and poor whites alike. His works often reflected the struggles of everyday African Americans, addressing issues like racial inequality, lynching, and economic injustice. Bass, whose newspaper had long been a voice for civil rights, shared many of these views. She consistently used her platform to promote civil liberties and expose the intersections of racism and economic exploitation.

The Red Scare and Hughes’ 1948 Occidental College Incident

The intersection of race and politics was dangerous during the McCarthy era, and both Bass and Hughes felt the repercussions of being Black radicals in a time of extreme political repression. In 1948, Hughes was scheduled to speak at Occidental College, an event organized by the Eagle Rock Council for Civic Unity to raise funds for a Black student’s college education. However, just before the event, the college’s board of trustees canceled Hughes’ appearance, citing concerns about his alleged Communist ties. This decision came after the California legislature’s Fact-Finding Committee on Un-American Activities, led by State Senator Jack Tenney[1], labeled Hughes a Communist in a widely publicized report.

The cancellation of Hughes’ speech was part of a broader effort during the Red Scare to target prominent Black intellectuals and activists, including Paul Robeson, W. E. B. Du Bois, and Charlotta Bass herself. Hughes, who had long been under scrutiny for his association with leftist causes and the Communist Party, found himself at the center of political controversy. Although Occidental College denied external pressure, it was clear that the growing fear of Communism—and the desire to stifle dissent—had forced their hand.

In response, Bass used the California Eagle to decry the cancellation, framing it as yet another example of American fascism on the rise. The Eagle was one of the few publications to report on the American Civil Liberties Union’s protest of the decision, and Bass made sure that her readers understood that this wasn’t just about Communism. It was about suppressing voices that criticized America’s treatment of Black people, its labor policies, and its imperialist tendencies. In her eyes, Hughes was a symbol of resistance, and silencing him was part of a broader strategy to suppress Black radical thought.

Bass and Hughes: Targets of McCarthyism

Both Charlotta Bass and Langston Hughes became prime targets during the McCarthy era, as the Red Scare sought to root out and silence leftist thought, especially when it intersected with racial activism. The anti-communist witch hunts were not just about stopping the spread of Communism; they were about suppressing dissent against systemic racism, imperialism, and labor exploitation. Many Black activists who criticized American policies found themselves accused of being Communists or Communist sympathizers, whether they were or not.

In July 1949, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) held hearings specifically on “Communist Infiltration of Minority Groups.” Bass was called to testify before HUAC in 1950, accused of using her newspaper to spread subversive ideas. Despite the accusations, she remained defiant, continuing to publish stories that called out racism, segregation, and the mistreatment of Black Americans. Similarly, Hughes, while never officially a Communist Party member, was scrutinized for his associations with left-wing organizations and for the political messages in his work. Like Bass, he found himself constantly defending his right to speak out against American injustices without being labeled un-American.

The Enduring Legacy of Their Partnership

Though Hughes later distanced himself from some of his earlier radical connections under pressure from McCarthy’s witch hunt, his admiration for Bass and her unwavering commitment to justice never wavered. Their bond was rooted in their mutual belief in the power of words and activism to create social change. Bass’s newspaper continued to provide a platform for Hughes and other Black radicals long after many mainstream publications had shunned them. This support helped ensure that their voices were not entirely silenced during one of the most repressive periods in American history.

In their respective roles, Bass and Hughes were cultural and political leaders who understood that the struggle for racial equality could not be separated from the larger fight for economic and political justice. They were both unafraid to criticize a system that marginalized Black Americans, and they paid a personal price for their beliefs. Yet, they continued to fight, knowing that their work would inspire future generations of activists, artists, and journalists.

In the end, Charlotta Bass and Langston Hughes represented two sides of the same coin: one as a journalist dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices, and the other as a poet and writer giving voice to the lived experiences of Black Americans. Together, they contributed to a legacy of Black radical thought that continues to resonate in today’s movements for racial and economic justice. Their relationship was not just a partnership of convenience, but a shared commitment to fighting for a more just and equitable world, regardless of the personal cost.

About the Author

Unsung Black Press

The Charlotta Bass Journalism & Justice Lab at USC Annenberg is a pioneering research and teaching initiative that is dedicated to preserving the rich legacy of Black media makers. Our series, Unsung Black Press, focuses on little known West Coast Black journalism pioneers who have shaped the field, from the time of abolition to today.

View profile