Can We Have A Toughtful/Respectful Discussion Of Civil Rights Versus Income Inequality ???

[fishwax]

158. Racism and Discrimination are divisive. Advocating for Civil Rights is not divisive.

Yes, there are all sorts of systemic things meant to divide the masses. Unfortunately, one all-too common (and thoroughly misguided) response to that reality has been for progressives to respond to discussions of racism with variations on a theme of "it's not race it's class," or "Civil Rights Versus Income Inequality" or "race is just a tactic used to divide and conquer."

If it is true that race is just something the ruling class uses to divide us (and, hey, I'm on board with that), then this is a revolting way to respond. Because all it does is reaffirm the divide. It says: your problems are not my problem, but my problem--that's our problem. I see it as a similar mistake to the "I don't see race" pretense that Colbert often satirizes.

If race is just something the ruling class uses to divide the rest of us, the better strategy is not to set aside or marginalize civil rights struggles, but rather to embrace those struggles, because the closer we get to equality the less effective those divisive tactics will be.