General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOnce we get past the convention, I hope we can all agree on this:
There was NEVER any reason to imply that the social justice and economic justice movements work for agendas that conflict with each other.
And there was NEVER any justification for accusing anyone in either justice movement of not supporting the other justice movement.
If you work for economic justice, you are automatically going to be working against all forms of institutional and grassroots bigotry(and in the prohibitive majority of cases, in defense of reproductive choice as well), because you recognize that the triumph of economic justice for all requires the defeat of bigotry and of restrictions on women's reproductive autonomy.
If you work for social justice, you will almost certainly be working for economic justice as well, because the vast majority of people facing institutional bigotry and challenges to reproductive autonomy are also going to be in a position of economic disadvantage, and because you are aware of the fact that one of the most crucial elements of defeating social injustice is to remove economic disadvantage and the fear of falling into want that drives too many people into "zero-sum" thinking and makes them susceptible to appeals from demagogues and hatemongers who argue that any gain for someone else is a loss for them.
It isn't possible to defeat social injustice and leave economic injustice unchallenged.
It isn't possible to defeat economic injustice and leave social injustice unchallenged.
These justice movements are distinct, but they are related, and they intersect at many points.
In the end, the real fight is for all forms of justice for all those living with injustice.
After Philadelphia, the unity and natural alliance between the distinct justice struggles needs to be restored.
FLPanhandle
(7,107 posts)There are hundreds of issues and thousands of potential solutions along with different priorities, so naturally everyone won't agree. Hell, I doubt there are two people here who would agree on each and every issue and solution for it.
Sometimes we get caught up in the disagreements in the trenches and lose sight of the big picture, so your post is appreciated and hope others set aside some emotions and take it to heart.
newthinking
(3,982 posts)I think there is indeed a growing division. Even many rich corporate leaders seek social justice in company policies but of course do not see economic justice as a problem. But I have seen a growing dividing line that indeed is real and is being exploited.
There are a lot of democrats who are on board regarding social justice but do not see the link to economic justice and they are our own worst enemies at times in moving forward.
Bettie
(16,139 posts)too many people think that working for economic justice automatically means you don't care about social justice.
People forget that the two are intertwined to the point where it is virtually impossible to have one without the other.
Ken Burch
(50,254 posts)is one of the most despicable lies in American political history. There was never any good reason for anyone to make such a claim.
Only the rich benefit from the notion that economic justice and social justice advocates are in some sort of bitter rivalry each other(or are never the SAME people caring equally about both sets of causes).
In the end, it has to be about all forms of justice, for all people.
it is frustrating to hear that economic issues don't matter, only social ones do or the other way 'round.
Unless you are in the 1%, economic issues affect you just as much as social ones and once you are in that 1% group, you aren't nearly as strongly affected by social issues, because you get to live in the wealth bubble which protects from the worst of most everything.
mmonk
(52,589 posts)And with that, I'm off for a break so I don't become bitter. Recommended.