General Discussion

MineralMan

(151,656 posts)

37. Both are important. Civil rights only seem unimportant if you have them.

Sun Mar 29, 2015, 02:14 PM

Mar 2015

If you don't have them, they are the most important thing there is. If you can't vote, you don't get to help decide the course of the nation or even your home town. If you can't get married, you can't take advantage of the benefits of marriage. If you are discriminated against because of some misbegotten law, you don't have equal rights. If you can't get equal pay for equal work, you can't compete on an equal basis.

It's easy for people like me, or you, to pay little attention to civil rights and social justice. We have those things, because we were born with certain privileges. Our rights are the basis for the founding of this nation, not our paychecks. That's because the founders knew that without rights we had no guarantee of anything.

Rights and economic issues are different, but they are equally important. Ignore either at your peril.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

132 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Can We Have An Open Honest Discussion About Progressives, Civil Rights, And Income Inequality ??? [View all] WillyT Mar 2015 OP

Proud to be the first K&R. 99Forever Mar 2015 #1

K&R! Phlem Mar 2015 #2

IMO - fixing income inequality drmeow Mar 2015 #3

I am less optimistic ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #6

That statement just flew over many heads, I am afraid randys1 Mar 2015 #27

You're not wrong MFrohike Mar 2015 #77

Weren't we all 'born in the status quo', by definition? muriel_volestrangler Mar 2015 #113

Yes ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #114

I am pretty sure they overlap Kalidurga Mar 2015 #4

YES !!! - They Are Intertwined And Inseperable... That's Why MLK... WillyT Mar 2015 #71

Oh I had almost forgotten Kalidurga Mar 2015 #75

All I can say ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #5

I sometimes wonder if you think blocking economic justice will increase social justice Fumesucker Mar 2015 #7

No ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #10

I've spent time in both worlds, the one with heavy duty connections and the one without Fumesucker Mar 2015 #13

How do you define "social advancement"? ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #16

As you advance in society you gain power over others Fumesucker Mar 2015 #65

Now you really have me confused ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #68

As you move up society your responsibility becomes less and less, you can get away with more Fumesucker Mar 2015 #86

I like the phrase "economic justice" better than income equality. jwirr Mar 2015 #11

I agree ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #12

So sadly true Zenlitened Mar 2015 #44

It's NOT blindness ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #47

Good point. Zenlitened Mar 2015 #66

MLK advocated for both civil rights and income equality. betterdemsonly Mar 2015 #8

I'm not understanding what you are saying here ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #17

+100000 Which illustrates how cynical and empty and manipulative the Third Way exhortations woo me with science Mar 2015 #62

BTW, you were alert stalked, I think... It is Tuesday Mar 2015 #80

Wow, thanks for posting this woo me with science Mar 2015 #87

That alert should be alerted on. It is an abuse of the Jury system and violates sabrina 1 Mar 2015 #110

Excellent jury. I agree with juror #2 that the alerter should be suspended for calling a longtime sabrina 1 Mar 2015 #109

I hope the person who alerted on this is embarrassed... Bjorn Against Mar 2015 #81

That was certainly woo me with science Mar 2015 #88

I think income inequality and octoberlib Mar 2015 #9

True ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #53

The Third Way claim of caring most about women and minorities is a cynical, vicious lie. woo me with science Mar 2015 #14

Said the white guy... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #18

Your response is predictable and slimy. woo me with science Mar 2015 #22

Predictable and slimy ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #24

Your response was actually right on and completely accurate randys1 Mar 2015 #29

Ah, the predictable, content-free backup. woo me with science Mar 2015 #35

Two plus two equals five! A predictable Orwellian, avoidant, disingenuous response. woo me with science Mar 2015 #31

Okay. n/t 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #41

More on the ACTUAL aftermath of neoliberal policies on women, children, and minorities. woo me with science Mar 2015 #46

Okay. n/t 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #56

I'm reading your racially insensitive post and shaking my head...... msanthrope Mar 2015 #49

I don't know what's worse. The OP using a rich, old white man to somehow "dispute" the validity Number23 Mar 2015 #85

If only Bobbie Jo Mar 2015 #91

Simply amazing, isn't it, the arrogance msanthrope Mar 2015 #92

The thing about this thread: you've got posters of color, women and gay posters flat out Number23 Mar 2015 #106

There is NO "almost" to it ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #117

On top of the condescending bullshit is the most laughable suggestion of all- bettyellen Apr 2015 #129

All you are doing is fighting to selfishly maintain your class privilege TheKentuckian Mar 2015 #25

What are you talking about? ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #30

This is the guy who told me 'rights don't matter if you need a job, can't eat your rights' Bluenorthwest Mar 2015 #52

I know ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #55

No, I'm talking to you. Every time, you are circling the wagons for the upper crust and poo pooing TheKentuckian Mar 2015 #101

Uh Huh. That's nice ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #104

Yes, and Hillary did NOTHING for Walmart's women employees whilst on their BoD closeupready Mar 2015 #59

+1 Watch what they do, not what they say. woo me with science Mar 2015 #64

The women that moved into Walmart's management ranks ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #118

Then let's all hear from them. closeupready Mar 2015 #119

I don't know them personally to ask them ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #120

But if someone did know them and asked them, would you be interested? closeupready Mar 2015 #121

Yes I would be interested to hear what the have to say ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #123

I always find myself rec'ing your posts. PowerToThePeople Mar 2015 #15

+10000000 woo me with science Mar 2015 #39

Thanks PowerToThePeople... Very Kind Of You To Say... WillyT Mar 2015 #72

The FDR Democrats in the South were also segregationists. geek tragedy Mar 2015 #19

What is Social Justice for the destitute, desperate, and hungry? TheKentuckian Mar 2015 #20

Social justice INCLUDES economic parity ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #26

+1 nt steve2470 Mar 2015 #76

Equity in poverty and lack of opportunity is a sales pitch to sand off a few rough edges while TheKentuckian Mar 2015 #93

Yeah. Okay ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #94

I season my greens with spices not with swine and my little girl isn't born yet but she is TheKentuckian Mar 2015 #96

Yeah, Uh huh. That's nice ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #98

Why the fuck do you keep calling me, girl? Is this supposed to be cute? TheKentuckian Mar 2015 #99

Because I'm not talking to you! ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #100

Then reply to cousin cookie. TheKentuckian Mar 2015 #102

Uh Huh. That's nice ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #105

I'd say it's a choice of deaths. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Mar 2015 #33

+1. The whole point of triangulation is "how little can I offer you and still get your vote?" winter is coming Mar 2015 #34

+100000 It's a vicious, disingenuous scam, the neoliberal claim to care about civil rights woo me with science Mar 2015 #50

I agree; but, it seems a segment of DU ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #97

If you fix income inequality, you make people happy....? Nice if that were true. MADem Mar 2015 #21

Can you explain to me how the legal discrimination in employment in 29 States against LGBT Bluenorthwest Mar 2015 #23

+1 ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #28

You notice not one of the people making these assertions is able to discuss specific points raised. Bluenorthwest Mar 2015 #45

It would be laughable if it weren't so sad ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #58

Privilege. That's the answer. MineralMan Mar 2015 #38

Probably not. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Mar 2015 #32

As we're seeing in Indiana right now, economic rights ARE civil rights. [n/t] Maedhros Mar 2015 #108

to answer the title question Man from Pickens Mar 2015 #36

Well said. woo me with science Mar 2015 #54

Both are important. Civil rights only seem unimportant if you have them. MineralMan Mar 2015 #37

A quick read down this thread so far and the answer is, apparently not FLPanhandle Mar 2015 #40

Carlin was a rich white guy, worth millions and he was very aware that his counterparts who were Bluenorthwest Mar 2015 #42

Carlin was right and his color/income doesn't automatically make him wrong FLPanhandle Mar 2015 #43

Did you read what I wrote? Carlin does not say what the OP claims. Carlin did not shit on others Bluenorthwest Mar 2015 #48

I know and love Carlin FLPanhandle Mar 2015 #51

And where's the part where he says those who are disenfranchised compared to George should not Bluenorthwest Mar 2015 #60

I don't think anyone is suggesting that Carlin "others wanting to have equal treatment was wrong" FLPanhandle Mar 2015 #63

But the OP is the one dividing people to serve rich politicians. Sorry. He exploited George to Bluenorthwest Mar 2015 #70

WOW... Lord Help Us All... WillyT Mar 2015 #82

You never bothered to answer my first question to you in this thread. WTF indeed. Bluenorthwest Mar 2015 #111

Being held as an equal human being entitled to the same considerations and protections MerryBlooms Mar 2015 #57

For progressives it's not civil rights OR economic rights. It's AND. Neither should be ignored. pampango Mar 2015 #61

Civil rights aren't a dessert topping on society. Starry Messenger Mar 2015 #67

I like this answer Cheese Sandwich Mar 2015 #73

+1 ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #78

Please See Post #71... And... The Point I Was Making Was About The ThirdWay Theory... WillyT Mar 2015 #74

'Give THEM the rights that costs us no money'? Are you serious, straight man? Bluenorthwest Mar 2015 #112

kick woo me with science Mar 2015 #69

You cannot have social justice without economic justice. liberal_at_heart Mar 2015 #79

This might be the place and time to add this from MLK. zeemike Mar 2015 #83

+1. Yes, he absolutely got it. liberal_at_heart Mar 2015 #84

It was only when Dr King started talking about class TBF Mar 2015 #90

I'm not sure why you can't value them equally. Marrah_G Mar 2015 #89

I... Value Them Equally... It's The Roadblocks That Politicians (Republicans) Put Up... WillyT Mar 2015 #116

Circular firing squad at work. Meanwhile, the Republicans... Comrade Grumpy Mar 2015 #95

What good compassionate progressive does not like being called a racist and mysoginist? WillTwain Mar 2015 #103

The corporate oligarchy and those who support and profit from it raouldukelives Mar 2015 #107

I think that identity politics has largely been designed to distract us from economic populism. lumberjack_jeff Mar 2015 #115

Well ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #122

Privilege, as a framework to action, is pointless. lumberjack_jeff Mar 2015 #124

Okay ... 1StrongBlackMan Mar 2015 #125

If suddenly we paid 20 dollars an hour and raised it a dollar every year yeoman6987 Mar 2015 #126

kick woo me with science Apr 2015 #127

It is both nadinbrzezinski Apr 2015 #128

America's strength is NOT in it's diversity....it's in it's commonality....nt clarice Apr 2015 #130

kick woo me with science Apr 2015 #131

Amazingly similar to the May 13th version... Bluenorthwest May 2015 #132