2016 Postmortem

Garrett78

(10,721 posts)

52. So, let me get this straight...

Sun Jan 1, 2017, 09:14 PM

Jan 2017

There are some women and persons of color in positions of power, therefore there's no institutional/structural racism and sexism that impacts economic standing/disparities in the US. So, the massive disparities must be on account of laziness or a lack of personal responsibility. I hear that argument from right wingers. It's sometimes called the Oprah or Obama argument. Or the exceptions to the rule argument.

I expect more from progressives.

I'm white and I'd be alienated (i.e., downright pissed off) if Democrats spoke even less about structural racism and sexism than they currently do, which isn't much. Contrary to the en vogue narrative, Clinton spoke about economics way more than anything else, and the bulk of her message was not geared toward persons of color or even women. And a study done in 2011 showed Obama spoke less about race in his first 2 years than any previous Democratic president since JFK.

You really ought to do some reading up on white privilege. It's not all about wages. White privilege, or the lack thereof, impacts wealth/assets, advancement opportunities, access to certain jobs and schools, access to housing, loan contracts, dealings with law enforcement, court proceedings, health, and on and on and on. And historical injustice continues to impact the present. A few suggested readings:

http://www.timwise.org/2003/10/collateral-damage-poor-whites-and-the-unintended-consequences-of-racial-privilege/

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-reparations/361631/

https://policy.m4bl.org/platform/

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Why draw a distinction between the working class and the white working class? [View all] Garrett78 Jan 2017 OP

Because black voters vote solid Dem ticket regardless of any demographic subsets HoneyBadger Jan 2017 #1

So, it's good to take persons of color for granted? Garrett78 Jan 2017 #3

That's quite a leap from "drawing distinctions" to " taking for granted." Orsino Jan 2017 #5

HoneyBadger's reply clearly suggests that black voters can be taken for granted. Garrett78 Jan 2017 #7

It's suggested if you want it to be, I guess... Orsino Jan 2017 #86

Gore won 90%, Kerry won 88%, Obama won 96% in 2008, 93% in 2012 and Clinton won 88%. HoneyBadger Jan 2017 #6

Unjustly is right. And the Democratic Party risks alienation if... Garrett78 Jan 2017 #11

So, black voters should just be written off as "ungettable"- while white voters who vote Republican EffieBlack Jan 2017 #37

Thanks for asking this question. greatauntoftriplets Jan 2017 #2

Because they need to feel better than somebody and it's a tacit acknowledgment elehhhhna Jan 2017 #38

Bingo! Thanks for not tap dancing around the reality of the situation. brush Jan 2017 #68

Because the Trump voting "white working class" harbor a false belief MADem Jan 2017 #4

This! k&r eom BlueCaliDem Jan 2017 #14

And we all know this. A white backlash has been building, as it has throughout US history,... Garrett78 Jan 2017 #20

I'm nor interested in "winning over" racists. They're welcome if they change their tunes. MADem Jan 2017 #32

I agree. And I think it's worth remembering that well-to-do POC often get mistreated in our society. Garrett78 Jan 2017 #35

Exactly! EffieBlack Jan 2017 #39

Capitalists must divide workers in order to better exploit them. guillaumeb Jan 2017 #8

All too true Martin Eden Jan 2017 #17

It's important, too, to recognize that a rising tide doesn't lift all boats. Garrett78 Jan 2017 #21

Economic and social justice has to be for everyone Martin Eden Jan 2017 #27

Regarding social justice and economic justice: Garrett78 Jan 2017 #30

"help everyone equally" Martin Eden Jan 2017 #33

I'm not just talking about the well-to-do. Garrett78 Jan 2017 #36

Reparations will never happen HoneyBadger Jan 2017 #45

Historical injustice continues to impact the present. So, no, those owed are not all dead. Garrett78 Jan 2017 #46

I honestly think it's a tactic to keep more whites voting republican hollowdweller Jan 2017 #9

I think this is an important point. See post #20. We need to change the narrative. Garrett78 Jan 2017 #22

+++++ LeftInTX Jan 2017 #40

The white working class vote is also EXTREMELY VERY regional progree Jan 2017 #10

I'm sure that the Republicans set out to claim those midwesterners. They succeeded. yardwork Jan 2017 #24

ALL workers matter! True_Blue Jan 2017 #12

And she undoubtedly received millions of votes from working class whites. So... Garrett78 Jan 2017 #15

WWC is alt-right rhetoric True_Blue Jan 2017 #16

But we must recognize that not everyone drawing the distinction is doing so maliciously. Garrett78 Jan 2017 #25

We're not allowed to ask that question... Blue_Tires Jan 2017 #13

This. Very disturbing to see liberals fall for this bullshit. bettyellen Jan 2017 #19

Well said. n/t kcr Jan 2017 #23

Divide and Conquer....nt 2naSalit Jan 2017 #18

Because white lives matter more to a lot of people La Lioness Priyanka Jan 2017 #26

I think it is the result of that demographic being one that we got clobbered in. I think we need to JCanete Jan 2017 #28

Democrats already speak to the working class and win among the working class. Garrett78 Jan 2017 #29

I think they care more than you think. They are inundated by bullshit about who is making their JCanete Jan 2017 #31

I didn't suggest they don't care, just that white identity is a major factor for that segment. Garrett78 Jan 2017 #34

Only the white working class is lectured about their 'white privilege' by liberals Dems to Win Jan 2017 #41

Only the white working class are treated as if their shit don't stink ... EffieBlack Jan 2017 #42

exactly. we don't make excuses for black hispanic gay etc that vote republican JI7 Jan 2017 #44

Amazing, isn't it? EffieBlack Jan 2017 #50

Generalizing is being done by those suggesting all working class whites voted for Trump. Garrett78 Jan 2017 #43

The female Wells Fargo exec that set up the system whereby Dems to Win Jan 2017 #49

A white person working for WalMart for $10/hour is privileged compared to a similarly situated POC EffieBlack Jan 2017 #51

Yep. Garrett78 Jan 2017 #55

The Walmart where I am at would not be Doreen Jan 2017 #70

+1 uponit7771 Jan 2017 #81

So, let me get this straight... Garrett78 Jan 2017 #52

You have lots to get straight. Dems to Win Jan 2017 #57

And I stand by that statement. Garrett78 Jan 2017 #60

Sanders positions was refuted a year ago, all PoC being rich STILL wouldn't eliminate racist effects uponit7771 Jan 2017 #82

they still are privileged treestar Jan 2017 #56

Oooh, those voters don't understand us, we're so smart when we insult them Dems to Win Jan 2017 #69

lol...somehow "us" insulting makes a fuckin difference?! That's a RWTP and not even close to reality uponit7771 Jan 2017 #83

lol, that's like saying the justice system is not unfair to black people because OJ Simpson got free JI7 Jan 2017 #62

+1 uponit7771 Jan 2017 #84

they still have white privilege treestar Jan 2017 #54

It's a broadly used term, and different people will have, or not have, any intent behind it. dionysus Jan 2017 #47

And what differentiates that segment of white working class people from... Garrett78 Jan 2017 #48

divide and conquer - nt Deb Jan 2017 #53

According to the census sheshe2 Jan 2017 #58

It clarifies a political reality, like making a distinction between Evangelicals... Buckeye_Democrat Jan 2017 #59

See post #48. Garrett78 Jan 2017 #61

Thanks. In reply, it might be based on the idea that... Buckeye_Democrat Jan 2017 #63

I think that argument is flawed at best and racist at worst. Garrett78 Jan 2017 #64

I certainly don't equate white and working class. Buckeye_Democrat Jan 2017 #65

I'm not saying you do. But that's what's so nasty about dog whistling and implicit bias. Garrett78 Jan 2017 #66

Agreed! Buckeye_Democrat Jan 2017 #67

And now that I've read all of the Fusion article, I can certainly recommend it to others. Garrett78 Jan 2017 #71

That might be unfair to Sanders, though. Buckeye_Democrat Jan 2017 #73

I'm not satisfied with the party as a whole when it comes to this issue. Garrett78 Jan 2017 #77

Most Americans don't view reparations on the same footing as current problems. Buckeye_Democrat Jan 2017 #79

As I said, it's not an easy sell, but it needs to be done. The framing is key. Garrett78 Jan 2017 #80

This is "class" warfare True_Blue Jan 2017 #72

Never NEEDED a distinction before now... RealityChik Jan 2017 #74

And, as I've written, it's only a segment of the white working class that we're talking about. Garrett78 Jan 2017 #76

Thanx for your kind words... RealityChik Jan 2017 #85

It's because racism has no party lines NobodyHere Jan 2017 #75

That's certainly true, but see post #25. Garrett78 Jan 2017 #78