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NurseJackie

(42,862 posts)
88. Yes. This. Exactly. Thank you!
Sat Nov 11, 2017, 10:36 AM
Nov 2017


Quoting your entire post below so that I can add it to my DU-Journal.


qwlauren35
69. You got me thinking.

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I know the term "trailer trash" and I can imagine that it stings like a bitch to hear yourself referred to that way. Does it sting as much as "ni&&er"? I don't know.

I laugh at Jeff Foxworthy, and thinking about it, the whole "git 'er done" thing with Larry the Cable Guy feeds into stereotypes and gets people laughing at working class Southerners when such jokes about other minority groups would not be acceptable.

SO! Although you say that you're about economic issues, I think when you speak for "your group", you're really looking for some respect.

You are in a group that is not a minority - yet - and maybe seeing minority groups get attention for their deepest issues, like police brutality, abortion and sexual assault, marriage equality, etc., makes you feel as though your issues aren't getting attention. But actually, I think what you're doing, and you don't know you're doing it, is playing the white privilege card, by saying that YOUR issues should be front and center. And suggesting that if we just focused on YOUR issues, everything else would be taken care of.

The economic issues vs. social issues argument played out during the 2016 Democratic primaries and got MAJOR UGLY. In fact, it was so ugly that some Democrats wouldn't vote in the general election. If you weren't one of them, that's a good start. Fixing economic issues doesn't fix social issues related to prejudice. It just doesn't. You've got to let go of that. The Democratic party has a very broad platform that includes both economic and social issues. Social issues related to prejudice don't affect straight white working class men. So it is not surprising that some might want economic issues on top. But it's arrogant. Very arrogant.

I know you don't mean to be arrogant, I know you don't realize that you're invoking white privilege. But please realize that it SOUNDS like you're saying that if economic issues, your issues, straight white working class men's issues, can't be front and center, then the Democrats don't deserve your vote.

Please think long and hard about how you sound when you suggest that economic issues need to come before whether a person has to worry about being shot by the police without having committed a crime. Why can't the issues be side by side? Not everyone has student loan debt, not everyone has had to declare bankruptcy, not everyone struggles to find a job. Those are YOUR issues. And those are some major issues, and you've been through some major shit in your life. I get that. But "front and center"? Instead of side by side?

Do you see what you've done?

I respect you, I hear you. And I get that you want to feel heard, to have your issues paid attention to. And maybe you feel that social issues drown out economic issues. But they don't. They are just side by side. Equal billing. Everyone is heard.

If you're not comfortable with "side by side", then your straight-white-maleness is showing. It may be time for you to become an Independent. Vote based on the person, etc. But I think if you take a serious look at the Republican party, you will find that they aren't putting economic issues at the top of the party platform either. They have "family values". And "Make America Great Again", substitute "great" for "white". So, maybe you would feel more respected with the Republicans, even though they wouldn't solve any of your economic problems.

As a black woman, strongly pro-abortion, and constantly worried that my husband will be pulled over and shot, my issues aren't your issues. The Democratic Party has room for both of us. I don't ask that my issues be front and center. I just want them included. Your issues ARE included. If you want more than that, you need to take a look in the mirror, because you are being part of the problem.




What working people want most vlyons Nov 2017 #1
Yes. And dumping working minority Democrats--betraying the beliefs Hortensis Nov 2017 #82
How come they don't vote Democratic candidates in treestar Nov 2017 #99
I read to the end to read this insult "petty social agendas" boston bean Nov 2017 #2
I'm not dismissing you, and that's not an insult. Tobin S. Nov 2017 #4
Probably not the best battle cry for a white male to be making. NCTraveler Nov 2017 #19
You guys thought the entire working class wax coming after you Tobin S. Nov 2017 #25
"You guys thought the entire working class wax coming after you" NCTraveler Nov 2017 #26
That 's been clearly expressed Tobin S. Nov 2017 #31
You guys NCTraveler Nov 2017 #35
I would. This forum has a bunch of working class and Hortensis Nov 2017 #89
Where did that come from? It didn't. kcr Nov 2017 #38
A majority of working class people vote for Democrats, and have for a long time. Garrett78 Nov 2017 #50
The way you said it suggested you think Dem social issues are "petty vendettas". moriah Nov 2017 #45
Yet men are coming after us everyday. sheshe2 Nov 2017 #56
So much for "letting it go now." ehrnst Nov 2017 #117
Yep. Same old same old. Squinch Nov 2017 #18
You all thought the working class was coming after you Tobin S. Nov 2017 #36
Where you dreamed that shit up from is a mystery to me. I am a member of the working class. Squinch Nov 2017 #39
We've been getting the beat down for a long time Tobin S. Nov 2017 #48
Nobody is saying all working class white men voted for Trump. Garrett78 Nov 2017 #51
Can you honestly tell me that the WWC voters who radical noodle Nov 2017 #70
Working class white men did give YOU Trump(R). As did the rest of white men and women. Squinch Nov 2017 #78
+1 betsuni Nov 2017 #84
Spot on. I love this. brush Nov 2017 #126
Where have you been? These issues are continually discussed here on DU. brush Nov 2017 #3
Go back to the thread that originated all this Tobin S. Nov 2017 #5
Are you not getting that DUers consider the one-third of white working class males who voted... brush Nov 2017 #7
It was the case in that thread up untll I exited Tobin S. Nov 2017 #8
You call that hostile? I call it trying to get through to you that you're misreading things here... brush Nov 2017 #17
I'm in the same class Tobin... Corvo Bianco Nov 2017 #22
I Read That Thread ProfessorGAC Nov 2017 #72
Have you ever gone canvassing door to door? frazzled Nov 2017 #6
I've been listening. Tobin S. Nov 2017 #13
You guys frazzled Nov 2017 #28
People with no civic consciousness at all treestar Nov 2017 #96
I want to add what I see as an apathy for some to not vote or discuss issues................. Jim Beard Nov 2017 #120
Epic rant. Thank you! I agree with you 100%. Irish_Dem Nov 2017 #9
Here's the piece that you don't seem to get. Concentrating on raising up the working class pnwmom Nov 2017 #10
Oh i get it Tobin S. Nov 2017 #14
You said the economic issues "should be front and center." That's not the same. pnwmom Nov 2017 #16
Not all low income people are men Tobin S. Nov 2017 #20
But fixing economic issues DOES NOT automatically raise everyone up. pnwmom Nov 2017 #23
You have to fix the policy Tobin S. Nov 2017 #29
fdr's new deal created the first saftey net for all citizens questionseverything Nov 2017 #30
No, it didn't. The Social Security Act excluded about half the jobs in the American economy. pnwmom Nov 2017 #32
umm i thought as dems we backed protecting ss? questionseverything Nov 2017 #33
I'm not trashing SS. I'm saying that the benefits of the New Deal weren't shared equally. pnwmom Nov 2017 #40
Yep. Just like the GI Bill didn't apply to everyone equally. Garrett78 Nov 2017 #52
everyones boat does get lifted..perhaps not equally but lifted indeed questionseverything Nov 2017 #62
That's not enough. Women and minorities won't be satisfied with being the afterthought anymore.nt pnwmom Nov 2017 #64
ussually its the women and minorities that care most about hungry children questionseverything Nov 2017 #66
And I'm telling you that economic issues can't be prioritized "front and center" pnwmom Nov 2017 #68
No. sheshe2 Nov 2017 #67
You can support that premise with evidence rather than bumper stickers, yes? LanternWaste Nov 2017 #132
can't believe i am catching shit for defending the new deal questionseverything Nov 2017 #133
The point is that it took civil rights for certain people to benefit JI7 Nov 2017 #44
Them JustAnotherGen Nov 2017 #47
The huge economic disparities are enabled by social injustices/bigotry. Garrett78 Nov 2017 #53
All the 'economic justice' sheshe2 Nov 2017 #58
It makes a lot more sense for working class whites to get with the times, which means understanding WhiskeyGrinder Nov 2017 #11
I'm with the times Tobin S. Nov 2017 #15
Thanks for voting in your interest and in mine :) Corvo Bianco Nov 2017 #24
Oh, I thought you were speaking generally. WhiskeyGrinder Nov 2017 #27
People are complex, and broad brushes are just about useless. kwassa Nov 2017 #12
anytime a person says ALL of any one group is anything questionseverything Nov 2017 #34
Petty social vendettas? mcar Nov 2017 #21
Our petty social issues are under severe attack right now. Tavarious Jackson Nov 2017 #37
They ate NOT powerless. They used their power to help make Trump president JI7 Nov 2017 #41
They say NFL stands for 'ni@@%&s for life ' JI7 Nov 2017 #42
They also think Roy Moore is a real jem... sheshe2 Nov 2017 #59
hey sheshe2 bdamomma Nov 2017 #127
Republicans know full well that pushing people back on their heels applegrove Nov 2017 #43
Thought provoking post. Nt raccoon Nov 2017 #93
Tell it to Johnstown, PA. NT Adrahil Nov 2017 #46
The economic disparity is enabled by racism, sexism and xenophobia. Garrett78 Nov 2017 #49
+1 betsuni Nov 2017 #75
I think this is the way to look at it. Eko Nov 2017 #54
Unfortunately nuance isn't the internet's strong suit mythology Nov 2017 #55
I understand where you are coming from. The divisions need to stop. AJT Nov 2017 #57
Well... I know. NurseJackie Nov 2017 #60
... sheshe2 Nov 2017 #61
Good One Me. Nov 2017 #81
The .1% love the peons fighting among themselves. It keeps the focus off of the increasing income jalan48 Nov 2017 #63
it's not black people voting to take away rights from whites JI7 Nov 2017 #65
They? One anecdote. shanny Nov 2017 #85
they? yes heaven05 Nov 2017 #121
You got me thinking. qwlauren35 Nov 2017 #69
Good post. brer cat Nov 2017 #73
+1 betsuni Nov 2017 #74
Very well said. cwydro Nov 2017 #76
Wonderful post! n/t snpsmom Nov 2017 #77
After your post, nothing more needs to be said. Squinch Nov 2017 #79
+1 nt PunkinPi Nov 2017 #80
Beautifully written! n/t crosinski Nov 2017 #86
Yes. This. Exactly. Thank you! NurseJackie Nov 2017 #88
For the sake of context, you may want to include the original post. mia Nov 2017 #98
"I know you don't mean to be arrogant", mia Nov 2017 #94
Oh GOSH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! qwlauren35 Nov 2017 #124
The Tobin doth protest too much, you guys. betsuni Nov 2017 #71
So much hatred here at DU, and KPN Nov 2017 #83
We ARE WORKING PEOPLE, KPN, committed above all Hortensis Nov 2017 #92
I appreciate your effort to provide KPN Nov 2017 #101
I confess I didn't read most of this passionate stuff. Hortensis Nov 2017 #105
I understand. There IS a huge KPN Nov 2017 #106
KPN, the Democratic Party has amazingly few real failings. Hortensis Nov 2017 #109
H, the Democratic Party did not fail me, nor do I think that. KPN Nov 2017 #129
Yes, I should have said the problems Democrats are being Hortensis Nov 2017 #130
Republicans don't have solutions for WWC issues beside feel-good-now-racism & religion un-freedom, Madam45for2923 Nov 2017 #87
The media helped to promulgate "the big lie" in 2016 and continues to this day. lapucelle Nov 2017 #90
This huge lie is a huge clue to just how big the infiltration of Hortensis Nov 2017 #91
oh!!!! heaven05 Nov 2017 #95
Consider this Skidmore Nov 2017 #97
You're neither, Tobin. mia Nov 2017 #100
Well, it's my issue and I come from a working class family DemocratSinceBirth Nov 2017 #102
Well said! mcar Nov 2017 #118
Progressive white working class males are some of the best. NCTraveler Nov 2017 #103
if more people voted Mosby Nov 2017 #104
What are "petty social vendettas" ? DemocratSinceBirth Nov 2017 #107
Yeah, that hit me wrong too. cwydro Nov 2017 #111
I would like to know what they are. DemocratSinceBirth Nov 2017 #112
Ima guess all of us annoying gay people, women, and of course, the Afam community. cwydro Nov 2017 #113
The author of this thread really needs to answer DemocratSinceBirth Nov 2017 #114
Im not going to hold my breath. cwydro Nov 2017 #115
I come from poor working class ismnotwasm Nov 2017 #108
Tobin S. If you could put a new plank in the DNC platform, what would it be? crosinski Nov 2017 #110
Yeah, you'll "Let it go now." ehrnst Nov 2017 #116
Yes, the doubling down is disturbing. cwydro Nov 2017 #123
This message was self-deleted by its author BainsBane Nov 2017 #119
Are you Tobin Smith? yardwork Nov 2017 #122
Don't get suckered into the language of others. hunter Nov 2017 #125
Will there be more in this series ? I am assuming so since it ends with you "letting it go now." lunasun Nov 2017 #128
Idiots trivialize social equality and concerns as petty LanternWaste Nov 2017 #131
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