I would like to add that it seems like when "others" label you (in a perforative sense) a commie or socialist it is often just used as a general term to slander you while attempting to thwart positive social change.
For example, in the late 1800s if you supported the suffrage movement that made you a commie. If you supported better labor conditions you were called a commie. If you thought POC should have equal access to voting and other democratic privileges then you were called a commie. If you thought that two folks who loved each other, even if they were of different races, then they should be able to marry, then you were called a commie. If you thought two folks who loved each and wanted to get married even though they were of the same sex should be able to then you were labeled a commie.
Off course it is true that it was the commies (and socialists )that supported all of these things significantly before other liberals and progressives did. But it is unfair to suggest that just because you are ahead of the curve on social change that you are a commie or socialist. For me personally, if I want to hang out with true kindred spirits who are passionately concerned with the well being of our planet and its peoples, I have to hang with commies and socialists. I just don't find the altruistic compassionate lovers of humanity anywhere else.
I wish I was better at this online posting thing- I have a photo saved on my desk top as a reminder of this name calling. The photo appears to have been taken outside of a southern United States courthouse. There are a bunch of "good ole boys" leading a rally against interracial marriage. There are numerous professionally made signs with statements like "race mixing is communism". Looks to be late 50s early 60s vintage.
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