LogFAQs > #982839212

LightSnake posted...

Zell, I am very questioning this notion that racism is only on the table because of economic populism being off it, and not sure that holds up on scrutiny. The phenomenon of how people love programs, but will sabotage them to avoid minorities benefiting has been there a while. It doesn't seem like economics fix racism. You seem to be committing the error rof assumiing everything comes from a rational, monetary self interest.

There are people who fully acknowledge they're not harmed by immigration or brown people. Point in fact, they'rre doing fine. Except they think there's a big pile of money immigrants get while Americans are struggling and that's "not fair." Many Trump supporters are firmly affluent professionals, they're not hurting or suffering, and their needs are met fine. they're still vehemently racist and vote for Trump because they really feel they're being threatened. I think you're underestimating how often racism and bigotry stands on its own as a factor

I'd also note a huge issue is a lot of the biggest lefty streamers spend a ton of time bashing Democrats. But even shows like, I dunno, Sam Seder, Secular Talk, Young Turks...they don't get the hits that Right Wing media does. Not even close. It's a big issue and one we need to work on yesterday.

Actually, you're right, I don't want to downplay racism as an independent and powerful force. I hate it when other leftists do that. It's not all about economics, many people out there are just straight up racist and hide behind economics when confronted. That's been true for decades and I want to acknowledge that.

That said, the dynamic gets far worse when there's no viable economic alternative to stagnation and slow decline on the horizon. What we're seeing is a combo of the two across the West.