Racism vs Classism?

Question

In the USA,if you are a rich person of color do you have the same privileges as rich White folks do? Would it be o.k to assume that if you are poor, regardless of race and ethnic background, you could possibly be a victim of discrimination?

Can we say the USA is a classist society rather than a racist society?
Serious non racist answers please

Answer 1

I believe we are both. I am a teacher so obviously I am not in the upper class of individuals, I don't make that kind of money. But, I am educated and have had priviledges most teachers have not. My family is Arayan Europeans from Europe and I have traveled extensively. I have "rubbed elbows" with celebrities and very rich people from many countries because of my distinct personality. I have noted that rich people try to be nice, but they look down their nose quite often at those without the money which they have. They liked me because of my intelligence. So, I have taught very weathy children whose parents like me,but because I expect ethical behaviour. Many rich young have horrible attitude problems because their parents have spoiled them. I have taught in poor oppressed neighborhoods and have felt like royalty as they treated me as if I was a queen among them. They often insulted white people though. I would remind them of my heritatge and they would say, yes, but you are different. Your family is from Europe. Hmmm? I am currently teaching middle class students. The students I am teaching now are mixed breed children meaning they are white/black, white/brown, brown/black, yellow/brown, red/brown, white/yellow, etc. They are my favorite because they are diversified and love life and appreciate life. But, I asked them how they feel outside their area of town, and they said they don't like to leave their area of town because people are very prejudiced against them. So, does that answer your question? I would say primarily racist.

Answer 2

I assume that a rich person of color have some of the privileges as a rich white person, also a rich white person have some of the privileges as a rich person of color, based on ones on perference and values. I believe it is also possible that neither class nor race can secure anyone from racism or classism. We all have or will experience discrimination in some form as well as discriminate against one another. Its sad but its true, we all pass judgment some are worst than others, however the deed is done its human nature. We are not perfect although we strive to be. No matter what class, creed, or race there will always be someone who will feel they are superior to you and might go to the extreme to test their theory! Ignorance is ignorance regardless of whom dispense it!

Answer 3

We can say both, you can be white and poor, be called; white trash, trailor trash, etc; black and poor; ******.

White and rich; classy, sophisticated, a debutante, what everyone wants. Black and rich; ghetto fabulous, ****** rich, we're all for Bush.

There is a huge difference between a black person being rich, because they have more fun, so to speak because when your not born into money then your a little more appreciative. Whites, on the other hand know what it is like to be bathed in money from childhood to adult hood, others find ways to hit rock bottom because they used up their money so fast. But I'm not saying that it can't happen to blacks. (look at MC Hammer...lol a little humor to lighten up such a grim topic)

If a black were not rich a white wouldn't take a second glance unless it was a really nice looking "light skinned" girl. You may find this a racist answer but it's the truth. And i try to put the truth as so, without putting a cherry on top, but if you can't accept the truth then...what is there to accept?

Answer 4

I'd say it is the classism, more than anything, just because if you are a rich man of color, and wind up in a courtroom, your money negates the *disadvantage* and can actually create an *advantage* in that you can use your *prior history* as a cop-out, after the manner of the late Johnny Cochrane (the lawyer who defended O.J. Simpson, mainly by playing the race-bait card to a sympathetic jury).

Whereas, if you have no money, you are screwed, doesn't matter what color, if you aren't *at work* down on that Corporate Plantation, you are treated like the Dog That Gets Beat, and like you have neither *rights* nor *feelings*

Answer 5

Im subject live because Im an English guy who just spent a year in your country.

I think there is a lot of paranoia within the black community and I think there is also a danger that white people can patronise black people. Race shouldnt be an issue, the more you talk about it the more its existence is continues.

America is the least classist of all countries, people who are rich are looked up to as the higherst in society not only economically but philosophically too.

Answer 6

Everybody today is afaraid to be thought of as racist, A black semi intelligent person has a free ride in life in the US. They can go to school for free, they are given preferences in job hiring and everyone is afraid to offend them.

It kills me how when someone uses the "N" word toward a black person it is supposed to be such a horrible act. To me it is just a word. I grew up as a white person in the Newark area of NJ and EVERY single day I had to hear racial slurs against me and be informed of the activities of my lilly white ***. Racism is not a byproduct of slavery or class, it's just an expression of ignorance toward someone who is not the same.

I think a well to do black person would be treated better in a white well to do community than if the rolls were reversed. both race and class are seperate dynamics.

When black people better themselves, their comunity and culture they will see a change. They are oppressed today by themselves. when 17 year old girls are having their 5th child and there is no family structure, they are in a bad shape that will need generations of correction to fix.

True african descendant blacks have been in this country longer than most european descendants. When the Irish came they were made to live in slums, were spit on and hated worse than the blacks ever were. Same goes for the Itallians, chineese, polish etc. They however kept real stong family units, educated themselves and raised up from lower than the blacks to a higher status. If you dont like your socaial status work to improve it.

The fact blacks were thrown into slavery by being sold by their own people is nothing honerable in fact it may show they are genetically not a strong culture and lack in cummunity. They way they are given everything and catered to does not help them. It has the same effect as spoiling a kid. I love James Earl Jone's line from soul man "If you have to work twice as hard as these little white sh!ts, than work twice as hard"

Answer 7

In u.s. those words have been linked to subjugate a bigger group of human beings, and save those in potential soft mutually as all of us bicker and turn on one yet another because of the fact of those variations. Racism is a variety of classism in a fashion.

Answer 8

I think that that is a fair thing to say. Because in the US, it is more about money than about anything. And regardless of your race, if you have a lot of money then you always get treated better than anyone else, regardless of race.

Answer 9

Do you think that is so, that's why you make that question right? Well, I have worked with rich people in US and to tell you the truth I haven't noticed any racism or classicism. I didn't notice anything of what you said., but it is just my experience.

Answer 10

yes, i think classism wins, but there still a fight between a white rich racist and a rich color person.