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>CB: Insightlful discussion, in my opinion, Kelley. I realize that the
>response "it is both racist and anti-working class, or all three" probably
>wouldn't sink in for some reason. Working class black people have less
>chance than white working class people. Petit bourgeois black people have
>less chance than petit bourgeois white people. Working class whites have
>less chance than petit bourgeois whites. That would make it racist and
>anti-working class both. And the two are linked in a system.
yes, there's a nice piece by a woman, can't think of her name, but she talks about what it might be like to go to the guidance counselor depending on who she was --white, male, upper middle class, black female working class, etc. that one is useful for understanding how whiteness widens the choices one has. it hits home when i talk about a group of students from EOP who were in a class i taught once. -- they got 'interesting' reponses from the guidance counselors at school, too. eg., the poor white woman was told that she might want to study psychology and become a therapist. the poor black woman was told she should think about social work.
i was thinking about it all as i contemplated moving because they;ve been raising the rent so that now what i pay is comparable to what it would cost to rent a condo-- which would only be slightly more. i might not make more than my neighbors (we all have to make within the same range since it's federally funded and those of us in subsidized housing are in bldgs different from those who aren't), but i have a choice TO move out and find a place that is just as affordable in a condo complex somewhere. the striking thing about condos, of course, is that the number of black residents is pretty small compared to my apt complex and others like it. so, for a few more bucks i can find a place.
so, white skin gives me a choice that, were i a woman with black skin, i would not have. i wouldn't have it mainly because of racism in the renter's market, but i'd also not have it because i would *FEEL* i didn't have it. i would *KNOW* how difficult it would be to rent a condo.
kelley