In my opinion, desegregation and antiracism should not be counterposed because segregation is a means by which racial discrimination and stereotype formation is done, which in turn reinforces the belief that one race is superior to another.
One of the differences I have had with Eric Oines has been over how to define "racism." I go with the standard dictionary definition: "Racism: The idea that one race is, by nature, superior to another; and discrimination that is inspired or justified by that concept." By extension, a racist is someone whose words and deeds are consistent with and support an ideology of racial supremacy and race-based discrimination. In my opinion the formula: "Racism equals prejudice plus power," coupled with the idea that whites have prejudices and power, and that blacks have prejudices but no power is wrong. Everyone has prejudices, and just about everyone has some power and is capable of taking actions that are directed toward preserving as well as abolishing the power and privileges of the "master race." There is also an extremely important element is missing from an analysis of racial conflict based on the "prejudice plus power" formula. And that element is class: Class interests, class consciousness, class solidarity, and class antagonisms. I believe that most workers have more to gain than to lose by effective action to eliminate race-based discrimination and privilege. The reverse is true for the capitalist class. If there is to be a revolution in social and political relations that produces racial equality, I believe it will be based on primarily on class, not on skin color. -Doug Mann Author of "Flight from Equality: School reform in the US since 1983" - REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
