On March 7, Paul Kengor, the editor of The American Spectator, spoke at the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women in Herndon, Virginia. His talk focused on the Marxist roots of International Women’s Day. The event was recorded by C-SPAN and aired several times, titled “The Devil and Karl Marx,” named after Kengor’s 2020 book.
During his presentation, Kengor shared insights about notable Marxist and socialist women, including Alexandra Kollontai from Russia and Clara Zetkin from Germany. He also discussed American feminists like Margaret Sanger, Betty Friedan, Kate Millett, and Angela Davis. Kengor traced a line from Karl Marx to Herbert Marcuse, highlighting the impact of these figures on women’s rights movements.
A significant part of his talk addressed the Marxist movement’s promotion of abortion and divorce, which aligns with the Communist Manifesto’s goal of abolishing the family. Kengor pointed out that some women, like Bella Dodd, distanced themselves from the Communist Party due to its destructive agenda. He noted that even today, publications like The New York Times claim that "communism was good for women," often emphasizing its support for abortion.
Kengor concluded his talk by celebrating Clare Boothe Luce, who was a friend of The American Spectator’s founder, R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr. Luce was a notable anti-communist and a devout Catholic, having found her faith through Bishop Fulton Sheen. Kengor’s presentation contrasted Luce’s legacy with that of her adversaries.
The event attracted attention for its provocative content and Kengor’s engaging style. Attendees were encouraged to share their thoughts in the comments following the broadcast.
