Classism

Guide to oppressions & intersections in SF
Basics: Classism Racism Nationalism, colonialism, xenophobia Religious intolerance Antisemitism Sexism Homophobia & heterosexism Size & beauty standards Disability & ableism Ageism
Manifestations: Institutionalized, systemic, structural Unconscious Conscious Internalized Power relations
Responses: Activism: Antiracism, feminism, etc. Consciousness-raising Redress & affirmative action Diversity & representation
SFnal treatments: Race and feminist SF Race-and-gender stereotypes in SF
See also: Women of color in SF Queer women in SF Women Make SF
About the GOI

Classism is belief or behavior that people of different social classes have different abilities or qualities. Can be used broadly to describe any kind of difference in any kind of defined class; but most often used to describe differential access to power, economic and/or political -- access to capital and the state.

Even if classism is limited to power/capital&state effects, "class" is very broad; classes can be based on any conceivable distinction that humans might make amongst one another; therefore closely implicated with racism and colonialism.

Intersections

Racism & colonialism - major

If class is conceived of as access to capital, then gender is in most western countries a less stark class division than race/ethnicity, because of enforcement of compulsory heterosexuality. (Although it does exist, because of sexism; so where people break out of compulsory heterosexuality and leave marriage, live on their own, live with other people of the same sex; then gender differences in access to capital become manifest.

If class is conceived of as access to power, then gender is throughout the world a stark divider; based on people in positions of power of organizations and businesses and government; and within small local organizations and families.

Class has major intersectional issues with gender and sexuality and beauty standards. rough trade; fatness; west side girls; sex workers.

Age & class are interesting - access to power through age is a major concern; see generation gap anxiety. See poor people who are children or seniors are least empowered in US culture; cf. wealthy older people. Significant variance across cultures: some cultures are less age-worshipping. see ageism.

Classism & nationalism & anti-immigrant prejudice; tied with religious differences, race, and nationality. Major religious interfaces as well - old stereotypes of Catholic breeders & new stereotypes of Muslim breeders. Eugenics as practiced in Nazi Germany was intended to be race-based (Jewish, Romani, Slavs); eugenics as practiced in US and England very class-based. english views of irish as a "different race"; northern european prejudices against southern europeans & irish immigrants to US.

class denialism / class interests / class analysis ("middle class")

Activist responses

• Labour movement

This article is a SEED, meaning it is tiny and needs lots of work. Help it grow.