Mythical Class Reductionists vs. Actual Race Reductionists

Summary

The article contrasts the perceived "class reductionist" stance of some socialists with the actual "race reductionist" views of Critical Race Theory proponents, arguing for the importance of class in discussions of inequality.

Abstract

The author of the article expresses confusion over being labeled a class reductionist, given the historical involvement of socialists in struggles for social equality. They argue that figures like W.E.B. Du Bois, Martin Luther King, Sylvia Pankhurst, and Emma Goldman were not class reductionists but understood the interplay of class with race and gender. The author criticizes the term "class reductionist" as often used by race reductionists who follow Derrick Bell, the "father of Critical Race Theory," and who have a limited understanding of capitalism. The article suggests that identitarians, who cite intersectionality, fail to adequately address economic class. It also points out that the criticism of prioritizing class implies a lesser concern for those at the top of the class system, a charge the author accepts, aligning with Martin Luther King's perspective on poverty.

Opinions

The author rejects the label of "class reductionist" and asserts that socialists have historically fought for all forms of social equality.
The article criticizes the proponents of Critical Race Theory, particularly Derrick Bell's followers, for having a superficial understanding of capitalism and for accusing their critics of not understanding racism.
It is argued that intersectionality, while important for discussing social identities, is insufficient for discussing economic class.
The author acknowledges a greater focus on the injustices faced by those at the bottom of the class system, aligning with MLK's views on poverty.
The author cites Adolph Reed and Briahna Gray to support the argument against race reductionism and the myth of class reductionism.

Mythical Class Reductionists vs. Actual Race Reductionists

“If any class-reductionist leftists actually exist they would still be 100 times more helpful to black people than neoliberals.” — Leslie Lee III

“Nothing declares one’s own class allegiances more eloquently, after all, than the accusation that one’s opponents care only about class.” — Adolph Reed

The first time I was called a class reductionist, I was baffled. Socialists have been at the front of every struggle for social equality. Were W.E.B. Du Bois, Martin Luther King, Sylvia Pankhurst, and Emma Goldman class reductionists? Socialists know that racism and sexism are problems so long as any racist or sexist has the power to affect another person’s life. Marx condemned racism when he wrote, “Labor in the white skin can never free itself as long as labor in the black skin is branded.” Engels condemned sexism when he wrote, “The first class oppression coincides with that of the female sex by the male.”

When I took a closer look at people who talk about class reductionists, I saw the accusation is made by race reductionists whose beliefs can be traced to Derrick Bell, “father of Critical Race Theory”, a member of the black owning class who said he never read socialist works. Because Bell’s followers have a shallow understanding of capitalism, they think their critics have an equally shallow understanding of racism.

What’s most revealing about the identitarian claim that those of us who prioritize class are “class reductionists” is the implication that we care less about injustice at the top of our class system than at the bottom. To that, I’ll plead guilty.

“In the treatment of poverty nationally, one fact stands out: there are twice as many white poor as Negro poor in the United States. Therefore I will not dwell on the experiences of poverty that derive from racial discrimination, but will discuss the poverty that affects white and Negro alike.” — Martin Luther King

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