From Gerald L. Campbell: I
believe the battle over race and class will be rejoined. This
struggle will be crucial. It will determine whether the US can
rebuild an effective public diplomacy. Without addressing the
questions of race, class — and other forms of spiritual alienation —
the US will not be able to build an effective and authentic public
diplomacy. Without public diplomacy in the information age, the
US will be reduced to the status a 19th century balance of power
nation. In that event, the US we will be unable to lead.
Lynne Duke and Teresa Wiltz. The Washington Post, Sep 4, 2005. pg. D.01
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[Katrina] blew open the box, putting the urban poor front and center, |
This is an important discussion that Katrina has made even more urgent. To arrive at the truth, we have to use words carefully, and use measure in our speech. Race is not “a form of spiritual alienation.” Class is not “form of spiritual alienation.” Those statements mean nothing.
In any case, I think this disaster is owing to:
The privatization of everything, as you have said in another message. We have drowned the public square. This, of course, hurts the poor more than others.
There was, I suspect, gross incompetence as a consequence of the above. Who wants to work for the common good, when you can get your private profit from the invisible hand? The federal, state, and local officials were probably incompetent to plan and execute. I will keep an open mind until the inevitable investigations provide us evidence. (And I predict the White House will launch a fierce attack against the black mayor of New Orleans as a way of deflecting criticism from the feds. But … I suspect the guy of negligence. I heard people crying at the Convention Center that there were no authorities there.)
The war has eaten up men and supplies–especially those of the National Guard–that would have been available for the hurricane victims.
The Washington Post article is a muddle.
“Class” is a Marxist term that forces people into pigeonholes–the ones that he and you can use ad lib. He used it to pit brother against brother. I find it offensive. I suggest you also refuse to use it.
As I said above, this disaster is owing in part to the war, incompetence, and disdain for the needy.
Racism? Those who throw the term around should name the racists. I think Jesse Jackson is a racist. So what? It’s an imprecise term. The Post article’s bandying it about, searching for it, adds nothing to a sober discussion.