1. Max Yergan was an African-American activist notable for being a Baptist missionary for the YMCA, then a Communist working with Paul Robeson, and finally a staunch anti-Communist who complimented the government of apartheid-era South Africa.
15 Facts About Max Yergan
1. 2.
Max Yergan was a mentor of Govan Mbeki, who later achieved distinction in the African National Congress.
3.
Max Yergan served as the second president of the National Negro Congress, a coalition of hundreds of African-American organizations created in 1935 by religious, labor, civic and fraternal leaders to fight racial discrimination, establish relations with black organizations throughout the world, and oppose the deportation of black immigrants.
4.
Max Yergan was born on July 19,1892, in Raleigh, North Carolina in his grandfather's house to mother Lizzie Yeargan, daughter of Frederick Yeargan.
5.
Max Yergan came to South Africa in 1920 as a missionary for the YMCA.
6.
Max Yergan was the first African-American to do YMCA work in South Africa.
7.
Max Yergan failed to radicalise the YMCA and resigned from the organisation in 1936.
8.
On his return to the United States, Max Yergan became the first African-American faculty member ever hired at one of New York City's public colleges, City College of New York, teaching the course "Negro History and Culture" in the fall of 1937.
9.
In 1948, Max Yergan was ousted as the director of Council on African Affairs following disputes with other members, causing his turn to the right.
10.
In 1955, Max Yergan again visited South Africa where he praised apartheid and denied that South African blacks were suffering from apartheid.
11.
In 1961, Max Yergan became president of the American Committee for Aid to Katanga Freedom Fighters, a conservative group that lobbied the United States to recognise Katanga.
12.
Max Yergan was recruited by a conservative activist Marvin Liebman who founded the ACAKFF and wanted a black man as its president to offset charges of racism given accusations by liberals and communists that Katanga was a "sham".
13.
Max Yergan claimed that the Congolese government had been taken over by Communists, and praised the Katangan men for wanting to "defend themselves, their wives, their children and places of work".
14.
In 1964, Max Yergan praised aspects of the South African governments "separate development" plan.
15.
Max Yergan died on April 11,1975, in Mount Kisco, New York, at age 82.