This issue of The Masses, Vol. VI, No. 12, published in September 1915, delves into critical societal issues of the time with characteristic intellectual vigor and biting satire. The publication grapples with questions of social hierarchy and justice, as seen in pieces discussing the American legal system, judicial corruption, and the disparity between the worth of an average man’s labor and a judge’s salary.
Articles also touch upon the notion of power and influence in politics, raising questions about the implications of political connections on court decisions and the perceived superiority of the wealthy over the poor. Furthermore, The Masses explores the concept of prestige and its paradoxical nature, as evidenced by discussions about the aristocracy’s re-established standing following a wave of titles conferred upon English nobility, and the public spectacle of a legalized lynching in Tarkville, Mississippi.
Throughout this issue, The Masses continues to challenge societal norms and question the status quo, demonstrating its commitment to social change and progressive ideals.