Race versus Class

[_ed_]

What does everyone think about the issue of race concerning this hurricane? Personally, I don't think this is an issue of race at all - I think this is a class issue.

The only issue of race that I see is the fact that many of the poor in New Orleans happen to be African-American. If they were all white poor, I doubt the response would be much different.

Condoleeza Rice, an African-American, took great umbrage at the accusations that the response to Katrina was racist. She went on to say how she was from that part of the country, how she is herself black, etc. I think she's right. Condi Rice, however, completely dodged the fact that she has about as much in common with the people affected in NO as I do. She was caught shopping for high-end merchandise the day after the hurricane hit. She's wealthy...and that's the difference here. The fact that she is an African-American is incidental.

I think calling this a race issue weakens our point as liberals, and exposes us to the old "playing the race card" criticism. I think it's much more difficult to criticize this argument from a class standpoint.

I don't think the Bush Administration is racist in policy, their personal opinions notwithstanding. I DO think their policies are classist, and this seems to be ignored by everyone. I wish more attention would be given to the issue of our poor in America.

I'd love to hear others' opinions about this.

-ed

[Misunderestimator]

1. There are about a million threads on this subject...

Just search for New Orleans, Racism, Classism and flamebait.

[sam sarrha]

2. Racism CREATES under classes..end of story

[gollygee]

3. If there were pictures of white children on tv

the feds would have been in sooner.