Migration, Etc. (was Re: Wen Ho Lee Support)

Russell Grinker grinker at mweb.co.za
Tue Dec 21 22:23:16 PST 1999


Max B. Sawicky:
>As for issues of race/gender/etc., I do not think they are
>unimportant. I do think they are doomed unless linked to
>broader matters. I'd say you were putting the cart before
>the horse, but I think this gives you too much credit.
>You don't have a horse. You have moral exhortation
>disguised as "strategy."

and..

I'm going to relate individuals' concerns to the broad issues, as
>best I can.

Surely Max has it the wrong way round? Unless a core of mainstream organised workers is convinced on the hard issues like standing up to racism, they'll never possess even the minimal independent outlook which will allow them to build and lead a broader movement which will win on bread and butter issues of wages and conditions as well. You can't win workers to an "internationalist" outlook on the basis of narrow economic issues. That kind of approach will only reinforce "common sense" economistic sectionalism and allow the hold of nationalism (implying racism, sexism, etc) to persist.

Russell



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