Revisionist History: "John Birch vs. the PTA"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Revisionist History
• Host/Author: Malcolm Gladwell, Pushkin Industries
• Episode: John Birch vs. the PTA
• Release Date: October 31, 2024

1. Introduction: The PTA Newsletter as a Mirror of Political Tensions

Malcolm Gladwell opens the episode by reading from the April 1962 edition of the Welby Way Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Newsletter, titled Welby Buzzings. At first glance, the newsletter appears mundane, filled with typical PTA announcements:

• President's Message: Appreciation for the PTA's Double Parking Safety Campaign.
• Upcoming Events: Sing-along, safety and fire prevention meetings, a trip to the fire station, and a local council luncheon.

However, Gladwell quickly reveals that beneath its ordinary exterior lies a critical commentary on the political climate of the time. He notes, “This newsletter is, in fact, the skeleton key to understanding our political moment right now” (00:15). The pivotal moment in the newsletter is the editor's message, emphasizing the "power to seek the truth" amidst forces that "abuse this freedom and cloud the answers."

2. Robert Welch Jr. and the Rise of the John Birch Society

The narrative shifts to the introduction of Robert Welch Jr., the founder of the John Birch Society (JBS), an influential far-right organization. Ben Nadif Haffrey provides a vivid description of Welch:

“He speaks a little like a dictator. He seems to run some sort of secret society and consider himself public enemy number one” (04:40).

Welch's journey from a precocious child in North Carolina to a candy tycoon is detailed, highlighting his transition into anti-communist activism. Influenced by the pervasive fear of communism during the Cold War, Welch became obsessed with combating what he perceived as the communist threat within the United States.

3. The John Birch Society's Strategy: Infiltrating the PTA

In October 1958, Welch convenes a secret meeting in Indianapolis with like-minded individuals, including prominent figures like Fred Koch. Their mission: to create a movement that would combat communism by infiltrating influential community organizations, particularly the PTA.

Robert Welch Jr. articulates the JBS's vision:

“A continuous, undeclared war in which our enemies observe no rules of international law, of civilization, or of human decency” (10:44).

The society aimed to seize control of PTAs across the nation, turning these local organizations into instruments for their conservative and anti-communist agenda.

4. Orville Laro and the Harassment Campaign in Darby, Montana

A poignant case study illustrates the JBS's impact: Orville Laro, superintendent of the Darby Consolidated School in Montana. Laro becomes a target after he responsibly disposes of worn-out Bibles by burning them—a decision that triggers the JBS's campaign against him.

Quotes Highlighting the Harassment:

• Orville Laro: “Basically, it's just pure and simple, constant harassment” (18:41).
• Gail Laro Munson (Orville's daughter): “He sacrificed for the family... he would have stayed and he would have fought this situation” (26:01).

The Society orchestrates various tactics:

• Petitions and Board Meetings: Demanding Laro's dismissal (18:15).
• Direct Threats: Obscene signs, harassing phone calls, and even attempts to run Orville off the road (24:21).
• Violence: Orville’s son is physically assaulted by classmates who associate him with the unpopular superintendent (25:12).

These aggressive actions culminate in the Laro family's relocation, severely disrupting Darby's educational system and altering their lives forever.

5. National Impact: The Decline of the PTA

The JBS's relentless efforts extend beyond Darby, infiltrating PTAs nationwide. Historian Sarah Heath explains the methods used:

“If I can get 30 people to go to this one local meeting, we can try to take over the proceedings of that meeting” (22:02).

Their strategies included:

• Mass Infiltration: Sending groups to dominate PTA meetings.
• Psychological Manipulation: Creating an environment where dissenters felt alienated or pressured to conform.
• Harassment: Techniques to wear down opposition, leaving PTA members exhausted and more susceptible to JBS influence.

As the JBS tightened its grip, the PTA began to fragment. Sociologist Robert Putnam notes, “the PTA in its day was one of the most impressive organizational success stories in American history” (20:10). However, the rising influence of the JBS contributed significantly to the PTA's decline, transforming it from a powerful force for educational reform into a fragmented and weakened organization.

6. The Decline and Legacy of the John Birch Society

Despite its initial growth, peaking at around 30,000 members in the 1960s, the JBS eventually waned. Internal conflicts, public ridicule, and investigations by organizations like the Anti-Defamation League and the FBI eroded its influence. Even prominent conservatives like William F. Buckley distanced themselves from the Society.

Ben Nadif Haffrey reflects on the enduring legacy:

“The PTA was the vision of the American vital, progressive, orderly, incremental and evidence-based. The John Birch Society was modeled on communist cells, secretive, paranoid, and revolutionary” (27:55).

Though diminished, the JBS left a lasting imprint on American politics, laying groundwork for future right-wing movements and conspiracy theories prevalent today.

7. Reflections: Conflicting Visions of American Civil Society

The clash between the PTA and the JBS epitomizes two divergent visions of American society:

• PTA: Embodied trust, community engagement, and progressive educational reforms. It operated transparently, fostering collaboration between parents, teachers, and the government.
• John Birch Society: Represented paranoia, secrecy, and a combative approach to perceived threats. It sought to overhaul societal institutions through infiltration and subversion.

This ideological battle underscores the fragility of civil organizations when faced with extremist ideologies. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the vulnerabilities of community-based groups to politicization and the dangers of conspiracy-driven movements.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Robert Welch Jr.:
  “It is our deliberate and careful purpose to pull together into one group a body of morally good and truly responsible citizens who are proud of each other and of the society to which they belong.” (03:54)

• Orville Laro:
  “When I walked home in the evenings, at times I've had a car follow me. Ordinarily, they apparently are cowards because when I have stopped and gone over to take their license number, they'll zoom out of the picture.” (24:21)

• Sarah Heath:
  “If I can bring 30 people to this one local meeting, we can try to take over the proceedings of that meeting.” (22:02)

• Marva Felchlin (Welch's impact on her mother):
  “Most of those people were probably children of immigrants. I mean, that's a serious accusation in those times. But my mother had always... she didn't stand for a lot of crap.” (29:06)

Conclusion: Lessons from the PTA and the John Birch Society Clash

"John Birch vs. the PTA" delves deep into a pivotal yet often overlooked chapter in American history. It highlights how grassroots organizations can become battlegrounds for ideological warfare, reshaping communities and national discourse. The episode serves as a reminder of the intricate interplay between politics and everyday institutions, and the profound impact extremist movements can have on the fabric of society.

Time Stamps Reference

• 00:15: Malcolm Gladwell introduces the PTA newsletter's significance.
• 03:54: Robert Welch Jr.'s mission statement.
• 04:40: Description of Robert Welch Jr.
• 10:44: Robert Welch Jr. on the continuous war.
• 18:41: Orville Laro discusses harassment.
• 22:02: Sarah Heath on JBS infiltration tactics.
• 24:21: Orville Laro on personal threats.
• 25:12: Gail Laro Munson on her brother's assault.
• 26:01: Gail Laro Munson on her father's decision to leave.
• 27:55: Ben Nadif Haffrey reflects on the visions of the PTA vs. JBS.
• 29:06: Marva Felchlin on her mother's resistance.