Yoshie is not wrong to pose the question of whether racism is economically rational fot the workers. That is not the only question. Ian is right to remark on nonrational psychopathological bases. But it matters whether these are reinforced or opposed by group economic interestss. If racism is economically rational for workers, it will be harder to dislodge. If it is economically irrational, that gives us a wedge to crack the irrational psychopathologies. As the the latter, do people know Winthrop Jordan's White over Black, on the irrational racist origins of slavery? --jks
>From: "Lisa & Ian Murray" <seamus at accessone.com>
>Reply-To: lbo-talk at lists.panix.com
>To: <lbo-talk at lists.panix.com>
>Subject: RE: BK on Identity
>Date: Fri, 2 Mar 2001 22:44:17 -0800
>
>
> > Let's set aside the long run for the moment. Do white workers gain
> > _increases in real wages & social programs that outpace rises in
> > productivity_ by practicing racism _even in the very short term_?
> >
> > Yoshie
>@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
>
>Wrong question[s], totally.
>
>What is needed to eradicate racism is the only question Yoshie. Etiological
>analysis of it's construction is at the "point" of diminishing returns. The
>moment somebody comes up with an explanation that racism is rational [under
>capitalism or any other politico-economic system] is the moment we should
>give
>up reason. Racism cannot be rational in any historico-ontological
>"context";
>lets ask different questions.......please.
>
>How do we get rid of racism? Institutionally, psychologically etc.....
>
>New millennium, new questions,
>
>Ian
>
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