Meaning: The quote "No member of our generation who wasn't a Communist or a dropout in the thirties is worth a damn" is attributed to Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States. This statement reflects the political climate and social attitudes of the time, offering insight into the prevailing sentiments of the 1930s and the impact of the Communist movement on American society.

During the 1930s, the United States was grappling with the effects of the Great Depression, a period of economic hardship and social upheaval. The rise of the Communist movement in the US during this time was a response to the widespread poverty and inequality experienced by many Americans. The Communist Party of the United States (CPUSA) gained traction as it advocated for workers' rights, social welfare programs, and greater government intervention in the economy.

The quote attributed to Johnson suggests a dismissive attitude toward those who did not align with the Communist ideology or who did not take a stand against the prevailing social and economic conditions of the 1930s. It implies a certain level of disdain for individuals who did not actively challenge the status quo or participate in movements perceived as advocating for social change.

It is important to note that Johnson's statement should be viewed within the context of the political climate of the time. The Red Scare, which was fueled by the fear of Communist infiltration and subversion, was a prominent feature of American society during the 1930s and continued to have a significant impact on public discourse for decades to come. Johnson's remark can be seen as reflective of the prevailing anti-Communist sentiment that permeated American society during this period.

The statement also underscores the polarized nature of political and social discourse during the 1930s, with individuals often being categorized as either sympathetic to Communist ideals or as disengaged from the pressing social and economic issues of the time. This binary view of political and social engagement fails to account for the myriad ways in which individuals may have contributed to their communities and society at large, regardless of their political affiliations or activism.

While Johnson's quote may have been intended to express a sense of urgency for social and political engagement, it also reflects a narrow and exclusionary perspective that does not fully acknowledge the complexities of individual experiences and contributions during the tumultuous period of the 1930s.

In conclusion, the quote attributed to Lyndon B. Johnson offers a glimpse into the political and social attitudes of the 1930s, highlighting the pervasive influence of the Communist movement and the impact of anti-Communist sentiment on American society. It serves as a reminder of the polarized nature of political discourse during that time, but also raises questions about the inclusivity of such categorical statements in capturing the diversity of individual experiences and contributions during a period of profound social and economic upheaval.