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Though those who left the party could be quite critical of the party, other party members, and even themselves, few regretted the time they had given to the party. Sennett said, “My life was enriched by having been a Communist.” Eva Lapin Maas reflected, “The Party had shaped our lives, given us a way of viewing the world, framed our family life, and influenced our selection of friends, books, movies, and activities.” Bailey concluded his memoir by reiterating what had guided his life in the party: “To witness an injustice and do nothing—that is the biggest crime.” Eickman was quite critical of the CP but did not regret his time as a member. “The Party gave me an understanding of the class relationship of society,” he said. “It gave me a political attitude that made me different from any of the others in the union who didn’t have that background. I don’t think they understood politics to the same degree.” Tobin also voiced no regrets: “I don’t think anything I ever did countered the interests of the people in this country. . . . What we went out to do, was a good cause.” Angela Gizzi Ward considered that her experience in the party had been “positive,” that she had “learned a great deal,” and that whatever success she had as a union organizer came in part “because of the support I did get from the Party in thinking, and in organizing my ideas.” Carol Cuénod’s major regret was that the Labor Youth League she led had advised high school students to work in factories rather than go to college.

—p.203 The Crisis of 1956–1958, the Collapse of the Old Left, and After (181) by Robert W. Cherny 2 months, 2 weeks ago