The exhibition 'Blacklisted' at New York Historical sheds light on the Hollywood Ten, creatives impacted by the postwar Communist witch-hunt, drawing parallels with modern political persecution. Curator Anne Lessy discusses the anxiety surrounding the burgeoning influence of television and how this played into fears of power misuse. The visibility of blacklisted artists, who previously contributed to wartime propaganda, became targets in an era of racism and xenophobia. This historical event became a platform for politicians like Richard Nixon to advance their careers, highlighting the disconcerting similarities to current political dynamics.
A lot of the blacklisted artists were important in those efforts, which made them particular targets for the rising fears around the power of television.
This was a way to give yourself a real bounce in terms of your political career, Lessy said, referring to how persecuting Hollywood elites served politicians.
The show brings to mind suggestive, and uncomfortable, parallels with politicized persecution in the US today, highlighting ongoing societal tensions.
Politicians and other opportunists were keen to capitalize on social fissures, using the Hollywood blacklist as a launching pad for their ambitions.
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