Sidney Lens facts for kids

Sidney Lens (born Sidney Okun on January 12, 1912) was an American labor leader, writer, and activist. He was known for speaking up for workers' rights and for peace. He wrote many books, including The Day Before Doomsday, which warned about the dangers of nuclear war. He wanted people to think about how to make the world a safer place.

Early Life of Sidney Lens

Sidney Okun was born in Newark, New Jersey on January 12, 1912. His parents, Charles and Sophie Okun, were immigrants from Russia. His father was a pharmacist, but he died when Sidney was only three years old. Sidney's mother raised him by herself. She worked long hours in the clothing industry in New York City. Sidney changed his name to Sidney Lens in the early 1930s.

Sidney Lens's Career and Activism

Sidney Lens was very active in different groups. He worked with unions that helped retail workers in Chicago. He was also a strong voice in the anti-war movement. This was especially true during the Vietnam War. A person who greatly influenced him was A.J. Muste, who believed in peace.

In 1967, Sidney Lens joined over 500 writers and editors. They signed a pledge called the "Writers and Editors War Tax Protest". They promised not to pay a special 10% tax. This tax was meant to help pay for the Vietnam War.

Lens was an editor for a magazine called The Progressive. He also wrote more than twenty books. He tried to get elected to public office three times. His last attempt was in 1980. He ran for the United States Senate in Illinois for the Citizens Party (United States).

Important Books by Sidney Lens

Sidney Lens wrote many books. His 1977 book, The Day Before Doomsday, warned about the dangers of nuclear war. He also wrote The Forging of the American Empire. This book looked at how the U.S. has been involved in other countries' affairs throughout history. It was first published in 1971. A famous historian named Howard Zinn wrote a new introduction for it in 2003. Lens also wrote a book about his own life called Unrepentant Radical.

Sidney Lens's Personal Life

Sidney Lens married Shirley Rubin in 1946. She was a public school teacher in Chicago. She also shared his progressive views. Sidney Lens did not have any children.

Death and Legacy

Sidney Lens passed away in Chicago on June 18, 1986. He died from melanoma. He is remembered for his dedication to workers' rights, peace, and for his many books that made people think about important world issues.

Books by Sidney Lens

• Left, Right, and Center (1949): This book explained some unusual things about the American labor movement.
• The Counterfeit Revolution (1952): This book explored why some people were drawn to Stalinism.
• A World in Revolution (1956): This book looked at revolutionary movements around the world.
• The Crisis of American Labor (1959)
• Working Men (1960): This was a history of labor written for young people.
• Africa, Awakening Giant (for young people)
• The Futile Crusade: Anti-Communism as American Credo (1964): This book discussed how American foreign policy was affected by linking liberalism and socialism with communism.
• A Country Is Born (1964): This book told the story of the American Revolution for young people.
• Radicalism in America (1966): This book was a history of the American left from 1620 to the present.
• What Unions Do
• Poverty: America's Enduring Paradox (1969): This book looked at poverty and programs to fight it from the Renaissance to the Great Society.
• The Military Industrial Complex (1970)
• The Forging of the American Empire (1971): This book explored American involvement and expansion throughout its history.
• The Labor Wars (1973): This book covered the struggles of the labor movement from the Molly Maguires to the 1930s.
• Poverty, Yesterday and Today (1973): A history of poverty for young people.
• The Promise and Pitfalls of Revolution (1974)
• The Day Before Doomsday (1977): This book focused on the dangers of nuclear war.
• The Unrepentant Radical (1980): This was Sidney Lens's autobiography.
• The Bomb (1982): A history of the arms race, written for young adults.
• The Maginot Line Syndrome: America's Hopeless Foreign Policy (1982)
• The Permanent War (1987): This book suggested that a hidden American government was committed to keeping a permanent state of militarism.
• Vietnam: A War on Two Fronts (1990): Written for young adults.