[PEN-L:8724] Re: Re: Re: re: Marx and 19th century racism

[Rob Schaap <carob@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

G'day Henry,

>> Really, Chas.  You wouldn't get away with argument like that at the bar,
and
>> you shouldn't try it here.
>
>Of course not.  I have learned to keep my mouth shut about anything in a
bar
>where physical power decides what is right.

I meant in a court of law, Henry - I'm given to believe Chas is a lawyer.

>No it does not.  Capitalism only pretends there is a free market while it
>manipulates the market to keep labor cost at its lowest.

I said 'formal' freedom, Henry.  That this ain't the material truth is
self-evident.

>And it uses racism to
>achieve that aim by defusing resistance from white workers toward
capitalists
>and directing the hostility toward non-white workers who allegedly are
willing
>to work for inhuman wages.  Nonwhites want high wages too, it is available.
>Racism condemns nonwhite workers to low wages, and nonwhite low wages
justifies
>racism from white workers toward nonwhite worker.  Very neat and
convenient.

I said this, too.  I just said I wasn't convinced that just because capital
exploits something means that ir requires it.

>That only proves there is hierarchical racism, not that racism does not
exist.

Come on, Henry!  Where do I (or anybody else) say racism doesn't exist?

>Are you from Mars?

Er, no.

>> And to that extent, it may be argued that racism, now that
>> it's with us, might attend our crisis-prone order unto the grave.  No
longer
>> necessary, but ever complicit.
>
>Revolution is realism, not fantasy.

What on earth is that supposed to mean?

I ain't saying what you seem to think I'm saying, Henry.  And I ain't saying
what Chas thinks I'm saying.  Best to say nothing, then.

Cheers,
Rob.