There's no getting around the fact that racism has been a defining characteristic of U.S. society since its inception. And that the same is true for sexism the world over for all time. (Well, I guess you could deny the second sentence if you insisted on it having a literal meaning.) Anyway...
Rather than worrying just about certain classifications of disrespect: racism, sexism, or even the ageism that cropped up recently uncriticized-- rather than worrying about these classifications and others, an organizing campaign is better off if you just begin with the assumption that we need everyone, that no one should go neglected.
Someone we think we have no use for (and that's the ultimate in disrespect) may have a hidden disability that upon diagnosis would make his/her behavior easily understood. Campaigns work best when you find a purpose for every last possible individual.
Frankly, I think a national politics based on that notion is more broad-based than these de-humanizing classifications we assign people. I'm not saying to forget about racism or sexism. I'm just saying that stopping there is a mistake.
James in Philly
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