Meaning: This quote by Elia Kazan, a renowned director and writer, speaks to the complex and often controversial nature of being a member of the Communist Party. Kazan himself was a controversial figure, as he famously cooperated with the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in the 1950s, naming individuals he knew to have been members of the Communist Party. This quote reflects his personal experience and the conflicted feelings he had about his involvement with the Communist Party and the repercussions of his actions.

The quote suggests that being a member of the Communist Party comes with a certain degree of exposure to the mechanisms of a police state. This implies that individuals within the party may experience surveillance, control, and limitations on their freedoms, similar to those in a police state. The phrase "diluted taste" suggests that the experience may not be as extreme as living under a full-fledged police state, but it is still bitter and leaves a lasting impression on those who have experienced it.

Kazan's use of the word "unforgettable" underscores the lasting impact of the experience, implying that the bitterness of the encounter with the police state, even in its diluted form, lingers in the memory of those who have tasted it. This could refer to the psychological and emotional toll of being affiliated with a political organization that is often targeted and persecuted by government authorities.

During the period in which Kazan was active in Hollywood, the United States was deeply embroiled in the anti-communist fervor of the Cold War era. The fear of communism and the perceived threat it posed to American values and democracy led to the blacklisting of many individuals in the entertainment industry who were suspected of having communist sympathies. This atmosphere of suspicion and persecution created a sense of constant surveillance and the threat of repercussions for those associated with the Communist Party, even if their involvement was minimal or symbolic.

Kazan's own decision to cooperate with HUAC and provide the names of former colleagues and friends who were members of the Communist Party further complicates the interpretation of this quote. Some view his actions as a betrayal, while others see it as a pragmatic choice made under duress in order to protect his career and livelihood. Regardless of one's opinion of Kazan's actions, it is clear that his experience as a member of the Communist Party and the subsequent fallout from his cooperation with HUAC deeply affected him.

In conclusion, Elia Kazan's quote captures the profound and enduring impact of being associated with the Communist Party during a time of intense political and social upheaval in the United States. It reflects the fear, surveillance, and psychological burden experienced by individuals connected to a political movement deemed threatening by the government. The bitterness and unforgettable nature of the experience speak to the enduring consequences of living under the shadow of a police state, even in its diluted form. Kazan's personal history and the context of the era in which he lived add layers of complexity to the quote, making it a poignant reflection on the intersection of politics, personal conscience, and the price of ideological affiliation.