Hochschild spent five years with white working-class communities in the American South, discovering that many of these individuals believed they had long been waiting patiently in line for the “American dream”—expecting their economic conditions to improve. Yet, they found themselves continually disappointed, blaming this stagnation on various programmes introduced by Democrats to specifically support minority groups. According to Hochschild’s informants, people claiming minority status could effectively “jump the queue.” Affirmative action, in their eyes, represented ethnic favouritism rather than merit-based selection.
Surveys have also indicated that a majority of white Americans believe discrimination against themselves is a more significant issue than discrimination faced by Black Americans. Although I consider this perception disconnected from reality, it nonetheless shapes voter decisions, as perceptions, rather than objective realities, guide voting behaviour.
The above reflects the attitude by many white people that their skin hue alone entitles them to succeed. That being white means they should be doing better than everyone else. That the "American Dream" is for "REAL" Americans (white people) which means white people should be able to achieve it simply because they are white.
How has this perception become widespread? One critical factor is the Democrats’ extensive reliance, particularly from their left-wing faction, on identity politics.
White supremacy IS and ALWAYS has been identity politics. America was founded on white identity politics. Wealthy, white, Christian, and male identity politics.
. While the widespread protests against brutal police violence in the United States were entirely justified, framing these protests as “Black Lives Matter” rather than “All Lives Matter Equally” may have inadvertently reinforced perceptions of ethnic division. There are numerous other instances of ethnicity-based political missteps.
If "ALL" lives mattered, there wouldn't be the need to point out that Black Lives Matter. However, that hasn't been the reality in America.
White people, these working-class white people folks seem to be so concerned with, need to admit this truth - America is a racist and misogynistic nation and as such, has favored white men over everyone else.
Yes, there is a classism problem in America. There is a definite inequality between the have and have nots. But demonizing the Democratic Party for those inequities is expressing a lack of knowledge of the subject. People thinking their wallets or education or name or social group makes them superior and more deserving - entitled - know no political boundaries. Though policy and legislation can reflect bias toward the wealthy - and that should be the tell-tale sign of who is using our political system to keep people down.
It's hard to take anyone serious who complains about the unfairness - even corruption- of what wealth can buy while they are shouting to the world that the billionaires Trump and Musk are the solution. That Trump's nepotism is the solution. That filling his cabinet with millionaires and billionaires is the solution. That destroying the government and its agencies that oversee necessary services that promote the common good is the solution.
Perceptions can be cultivated and these white-working class people from the article need to check who and what is shaping their perceptions.
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