Tom Hayden: Architect of Change
An academic exploration of a pivotal figure in American activism and politics, from the New Left to legislative halls.
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Early Life and Activism
Foundational Years
Thomas Emmet Hayden was born on December 11, 1939, in Royal Oak, Michigan. His parents, Genevieve Isabelle (nรฉe Garity) and John Francis Hayden, had Irish ancestry. His father, a former Marine and Chrysler accountant, struggled with alcoholism, and his parents divorced when Tom was ten. Raised by his mother, Hayden's early experiences, including exposure to the controversial radio priest Charles Coughlin, shaped his developing worldview and led to an early break with the Catholic Church.
Education and Early Engagement
Hayden attended Dondero High School, where his critical stance led to him being banned from his graduation ceremony. He pursued higher education at the University of Michigan, serving as editor of the Michigan Daily. It was during this period that he became involved with the nascent Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), influenced by figures like Sandra Cason (later Casey Hayden), whom he married in 1961. His early activism included participation in the Freedom Rides, where he experienced firsthand the struggles for civil rights and racial justice.
Seeds of the New Left
While covering the Freedom Rides, Hayden began drafting what would become the SDS manifesto. His experiences in jail in Albany, Georgia, provided a crucible for his thoughts on social change. This period marked the beginning of his deep engagement with the principles that would define the New Left movement, emphasizing participatory democracy and a critique of established power structures.
The Port Huron Vision and SDS
The Port Huron Statement
In June 1962, Hayden was instrumental in drafting and adopting the Port Huron Statement at the first SDS convention. This seminal document articulated a vision for a "new left" grounded in participatory democracy, advocating for deliberativeness, honesty, and reflection. The statement's critique of both the older left's perceived Stalinism and the broader societal injustices resonated deeply within the burgeoning student movement.
Organizing and Community Action
As SDS president (1962โ1963), Hayden initiated the Economic Research and Action Project (ERAP), aiming to mobilize poor white neighborhoods into an interracial movement. Despite initial skepticism from community organizing veteran Saul Alinsky, Hayden dedicated himself to this effort. He spent three years in Newark organizing residents against slumlords and city inspectors, documenting the 1967 riots in his book Rebellion in Newark. His activism attracted FBI attention, leading to his inclusion on the "Rabble Rouser Index."
Evolving Ideals
Hayden's early work with SDS and ERAP reflected a commitment to grassroots organizing and systemic change. His intellectual development, however, also involved grappling with the limitations of consensus-based decision-making in larger organizations, a point later critiqued by fellow activist Staughton Lynd. Hayden's evolving perspectives, including his stance on anti-communism and his engagement with figures across the political spectrum, underscored the dynamic nature of the New Left.
Anti-War Activism
Vietnam War Opposition
In 1965, Hayden, alongside Herbert Aptheker and Staughton Lynd, undertook a controversial visit to North Vietnam, meeting American POWs and documenting their experiences in the book The Other Side. This visit occurred at a critical juncture of the Vietnam War, highlighting the growing opposition within the United States. Hayden and his contemporaries articulated a stance that disavowed the anti-communism of previous generations, emphasizing a refusal to be defined by opposition to communism.
The Chicago Seven Trial
Hayden played a significant role in the protests outside the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, which were later characterized as a "police riot." He was indicted along with seven other defendants in the landmark "Chicago Seven" trial, charged with conspiracy and inciting a riot. Although convicted of crossing state lines to incite a riot, the charges were overturned on appeal, marking a significant legal and political moment.
Peace Campaigns and Cultural Impact
Hayden founded the Indochina Peace Campaign (IPC) from 1972 to 1975, advocating for an end to the Vietnam War and amnesty for draft evaders. His future wife, actress Jane Fonda, supported the IPC and later named her film production company, IPC Films, after it. Hayden also appeared in the film Death Wish and collaborated on the documentary Introduction to the Enemy, reflecting his engagement with cultural and media platforms to advance his political messages.
New Left Legacy
Shaping American Discourse
Nicholas Lemann described Hayden as someone who "changed America," calling him the "father to the largest mass protests in American history." Richard N. Goodwin suggested Hayden's activism inadvertently inspired aspects of the Great Society. While Lynd offered critiques of SDS's concept of "participatory democracy," Hayden's influence extended to developing friendships with figures like Robert F. Kennedy, for whom he served as a pallbearer, demonstrating a complex engagement across political divides.
Enduring Principles
Towards the end of his life, Hayden characterized himself as embodying principles of democracy (Jefferson), environmentalism (Thoreau), and social movements (Crazy Horse). His FBI files revealed a multifaceted activist who engaged with diverse figures, including Billy Graham, and maintained connections across different ideological spectrums. His life's work represented a continuous effort to reconcile radical ideals with pragmatic political action.
Career in Electoral Politics
Challenging the Establishment
In 1976, Hayden mounted a significant primary challenge against incumbent U.S. Senator John V. Tunney, embodying the shift of 1960s radicalism into 1970s common sense. Though he narrowly lost the Democratic primary, the campaign energized progressive politics. He and Jane Fonda subsequently founded the Campaign for Economic Democracy (CED), which fostered alliances with Governor Jerry Brown and promoted policies focused on solar energy, environmental protection, and renters' rights.
Legislative Service
Hayden transitioned into electoral politics, serving in the California State Assembly from 1982 to 1992 and the California State Senate from 1992 to 2000. During his tenure, he faced protests from conservative groups but remained a champion for progressive causes. He introduced legislation that established student representation fees at California Community Colleges, supporting student advocacy efforts.
Later Campaigns and Advocacy
Hayden continued his public service through various campaigns, including runs for Governor of California in 1994 and Mayor of Los Angeles in 1997. He was an advocate for animal rights, authoring the Hayden Act to improve pet protection. He also played a role in national progressive movements, endorsing Barack Obama and serving on the advisory board of the Progressive Democrats of America. In his final years, he remained committed to social justice and environmental causes.
Academic Contributions
Teaching and Mentorship
Hayden's academic career included teaching positions at various institutions, including Scripps College, Pitzer College, Occidental College, Harvard University's Institute of Politics, and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His courses often focused on social movements, gangs, and the evolution of political thought from the 1960s to contemporary eras.
Scholarly Works
As an author, Hayden produced a significant body of work, including 19 books. Notable titles include The Long Sixties: From 1960 to Barack Obama, Writings for a Democratic Society: The Tom Hayden Reader, his memoir Reunion, and Hell No: The Forgotten Power of the Vietnam Peace Movement, completed shortly before his death. He also served on the editorial board of The Nation and contributed essays on critical political and social issues.
Personal Life and Passing
Family and Relationships
Tom Hayden was married three times. His first marriage was to Sandra Cason (Casey Hayden), with whom he had no children. His second marriage was to actress Jane Fonda, lasting 17 years, and they had one son, Troy Garity. His third marriage was to Barbara Williams. He and Williams adopted a son.
Legacy and Remembrance
Hayden passed away on October 23, 2016, in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 76, following a history of heart problems. His death was mourned by many, including former President Bill Clinton, who recognized Hayden's significant contributions and critical engagement. Hayden is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Santa Monica, remembered as a transformative figure in American social and political history.
Cultural Resonance
Portrayals in Media
Tom Hayden's life and activism have been depicted in various films and documentaries. Actors such as Brian Benben, Troy Garity (his son), Reg Rogers, David Julian Hirsh, and Eddie Redmayne have portrayed him in productions covering the Chicago Seven trial and broader aspects of his career, reflecting his enduring impact on popular culture and historical memory.
Key Works
Literary and Political Contributions
Hayden authored or edited numerous influential works that captured the spirit and challenges of his time. His writings spanned manifestos, analyses of social movements, political commentary, and personal memoirs, offering critical insights into American society and activism.
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References
References
- Kirkpatrick Sale (1973), SDS: The Rise and Development of The Students for a Democratic Society. Random House, pp. 86รขยย87
- Sanford Horwitt (1989) Let Them Call Me Rebel: The Life and Legacy of Saul Alinsky. New York. Alfred A. Knopf. p. 525
- Stuart I. Rochester and Frederick Kiley, Honor Bound: American Prisoners of War in Southeast Asia (Naval Institute Press, 1998), p. 192
- "The Other Side" by Staughton Lynd, Tom Hayden, New American Library, 1967
- United States v. Dellinger, 472 F.2d 340 (7th Cir. 1972), cert. denied, 410 U.S. 970, 93 S.Ct. 1443, 35 L.Ed.2d 706 (1973).
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