My Father Was a Communist  By Erik Tarloff  In the 1950s, the
author's father was interrogated by the House Un-American
Committee and blacklisted by his profession. Years later, too
many Americans fail to grasp the moral of his story.  frank
tarloff-- AP-body.jpg  Screenwriter Frank Tarloff, 37, appears
before a hearing of the House Committee on Un-American
Activities in Los Angeles April 8, 1953 / AP Images  My father,
Frank Tarloff, a Hollywood screenwriter, was blacklisted by the
entertainment industry in 1953, at the height of the McCarthy
era. For those unfamiliar with the blacklist, here's a brief
explanation of its workings: People in the industry who were
named by others as having had Communist affiliations were
subpoenaed by the House Un-American Activities Committee and
interrogated in open hearings about their political beliefs.
They were also required to identify others who held similar
beliefs. Witnesses who cooperated were usually able to resume
their careers. Witnesses who refused to cooperate