Prozium on Status Competition and Race
http://www.occidentaldissent.com/2008/11/17/more-on-status-competition/
In the 1920s, only the far left communist fringe in the United States consistently opposed racial discrimination
followed by
Status competition amongst elite liberals explains (in large part) why fringe causes eventually enter mainstream American political discourse.
With all due respect, I believe Prozium is reading into the issue here. The reason that people don’t support racialism is because it is easier to believe that everyone is the same. It is more convenient. In a nation of immigrants where everyone speaks the same language, to stand up and say “I am concerned with my ethnic roots” does take a powerful personality. It is simply easier not to do this. Remember that at the time of the founding fathers, language was a big issue, both between different types of Europeans, and between Indians and Whites. Now it isn’t.
December 15th, 2008 at 2:38 am
The Negro question in the United States can only be solved with a scientific assessment of the historical-material developments that have led up to the antagonisms between White and Black Americans.
Hence a material resolution is the only acceptable one (versus an idealistic or egalitarian alternative). I’m thinking of tracing the historical development of Blacks as a separate nation within the United States — and the subsequent division of the Southeastern US into a “Black Belt Nation.”
December 16th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
There’s no significant socio-economic difference between whites and blacks now. What distinctions exist are on the basis of separate historical and material developments which cannot be separated from the current situation. But blacks have largely entered into the mainstream economy and as such cannot be said to be particularly more oppressed than other groups.
Some still argue that there is a black proletariat in the u.s. but I don’t think so.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:56 am
The cultural differences were more pronounced back then so politically, it was easier to emphasize racial differences. American imperialism had not yet penetrated the psychology of non-white races. Now the cultural differences aren’t as pronounced, so it is more difficult to emphasize racial differences without causing a disruption by people who prefer the image of everyone holding hands beneath the rainbow. Biologically they still exist but culturally people don’t want to rock the boat.
Nevertheless I advocate awareness of ethnic identity, but I know my views are not mainstream. I don’t claim the media is responsible for my views not being mainstream. Opportunism and the desire to not rock the boat are responsible for the failure of open discussion of race and ethnicity to enter American political and business life.