I think the "it ISN'T about economics" argument is, ultimately, a deeply right wing position. [View all]

Last edited Wed Dec 7, 2016, 03:56 AM - Edit history (2)

(on edit; To clarify the people who make that argument aren't THEMSELVES right wing, but the argument itself is, because it is essentially states that we don't need to advocate any significant structural change in society, and that we can defeat social oppression without altering anything else in the system).

The roots of that argument are not in any concern about our position on institutional bigotry-every one of us here, no matter who we backed in the primaries, is solidly committed to continuing, if not intensifying our battle against structural racism, sexism, homo-and trans-phobia, anti-Muslim bigotry and anti-immigrant bigotry.

The only reason to deny that economic issues played a major role is to maintain our party's current cozy relationship with the corporate world and with Wall Street. Those are the only groups who would lose anything from a greater commitment to egalitarian economics, full taxation of the 1%, and a trade policy that puts jobs, human needs and environmental sustainability on the same plain with short-term profits for the few. And they are the only ones that would have any reason to object to a serious effort to wipe out poverty in this country and this world. Those are also the sectors who have the greatest interest in perpetuating institutional bigotry, because institutional bigotry always increases the profits of the 1%, while at the same time protecting their dominance through the division of the left-out economic majority.

Those who prioritize social justice(again, a set of causes any progressive will always be in solidarity with) would gain from a strengthened economic justice program-and such a program could easily be designed to take into account historic patterns of oppression. And the vast majority of economic justice advocates would be glad to listen and to go into dialog with people who feel that historically oppressed groups might be left out in the cold-there is a clear intent to prevent that from happening and this would be a good time to try having a somewhat trusting conversation.

Institutional racism and grassroots racism remain massive problems. And all forms of bigotry need to be confronted. Acknowledging that regional hard times played a role in November's result doesn't require anyone to shut up, doesn't require any of the things we care about to be put on the back burner, and especially doesn't require anyone to be thrown under the bus. All we are really trying to do is to figure out how to get more people to RIDE the bus and to make sure the bus reaches the depot.