Racism And Classism Are Not Two Competing Struggles

Photo by Katt Yukawa on Unsplash

Given the state of America at the moment, with millions upon millions of Americans suffering, I know a prominent argument is that class warfare, or the economic line, is the problem of the 21st century. I know this because anytime I write about the destruction of America being caused by slavery and antiBlack racism, readers tell me that I believe this because I’m Black. Perhaps. They go on to claim that America’s problem, while racism has not been solved, is now class warfare. It’s all of us together against the billionaire oligarchs and private citizens worth millions and billions.

I’ll start of by saying I am Black. That means my lived experience, and perspective, is that America is crumbling because of its racism. That means I could never ignore the two Americas that have always existed or the way this country has treated Black Americans. It also means racism will be the bane of my existence in America despite economic status. OJ Simpson and Kanye West are examples of Black Americans who believed their wealth could supersede antiBlack racism until it didn’t. While I find camaraderie with other Americans who are struggling to make ends meet, I’m more concerned with a loss of civil rights for Black Americans. Also, hate crimes in America increased when Trump was elected for the first time. I’m sure they’re going to raise this time around also. That…