From: cbcox-AT-rs6000.cmp.ilstu.edu (Carrol Cox)
Subject: Re: M-FEM: Enough telling off
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 12:40:45 -0500 (CDT)


I think this can be pursued further; the *practical* implication (for
for both strategy and tactics) of the *theoretical* gaining of sexual
equality under capitalism is that it becomes a practical *demand* in
the struggle. The "demand" for the end of exploitation within capi-
talism is absurd, but one characteristic of social democratic thought
is precisely this absurd demand or goal. But I think it at least
possible (I'm not committed to this position by any means) to theorize
sexual and racial equality and the elimination of homophobia and similar
oppressions as *quite* achievable under capitalism, *not*, however,
from the perspective of the openly bourgeois feminists I touched
on in my earlier post but as concrete demands the struggle for which
will at the same time be a struggle against their divisive effects
within the working class.

    I of course take it as axiomatic that racism/sexism/etc divide
the working class. I think that there is great room for extending
understanding of *how* those divisive forces are maintained, *what*
is their relationship to fundamental capitalist relations, and how
they are best combatted.

Carrol

Renate writes:
>
> Whatever the THEORETICAL possibility of capitalism treating women and men
> "with equal shittiness", as Carrol puts it, the HISTORICAL reality is that
> capitalism rules in part by dividing the working class.  In the past,
> race and sex divisions have functioned to allow the white male working class
> to feel superior and have some concrete privileges.  Even now, as the white
> male working (and middle) class gets downgraded through advancing capitalism,
> it receives "sops" like the ending of affirmative action and genteel acceptanc
e
> of certain forms of backlash.
>     Unity of the working class can only be achieved by acknowledgement that
> these inequalities have existed and by a willingness to transcend them. So
> I agree with the posts that have said "Look ye to your brothers."
>    On epithets: this is not the alternative to "let's all be friends together.
"
> Epithets don't assist arguments, they impede them or run into a bog of useless

> definitions.  And, being empty of significance other than getting rocks off,
> they REALLY are *VERY* BORING.
>   -Renate Bridenthal, History, Brooklyn College
>
>