Black unemployment in July 21 Left Business Observer

[Mathew Forstater]

let us suppose for a moment that the thesis that some white workers are
absolutely better off due to discrimination is true.  wouldn't that
awareness that some white workers have a real objective material interest
in racism better inform your political work and struggle?  if true,
shouldn't your awareness of it lead to more effective activity?  it may be
difficult, but how effective can it be to tell workers that they are worse
off when they may have a strong feeling they are not?  unless we treat the
working class as passive, without agency, who are not active participants
in history, etc.

mat

Gar W. Lipow wrote:


> you have just removed an argument I have found very powerful in
> combatting racism -- the ability to argue to white workers that racism
> lowers their own standard of living.