Why can't whites be as racist as Malcolm X

[Clayton Moore]

So you would prefer to be owned and have value? You would prefer being treated like property? Having your loved ones taken from you and sold?

I can't condone the behavior of business owners and I don't claim that work isn't a kind of oppression. But they really aren't the same kinds. Survival is slavery that most of us never escape. It's not an excuse for the behavior of those who own businesses. We haven't yet found a system to feed everyone and provide services to everyone without organization (management) and employment. Until we do people have chosen to be free over being owned. It's what I would choose and I suspect if your owner could beat you or kill you or take your children from you and sell them you wouldn't think being owned was a good thing either.

Business owners before the 50s did just that. A man was first generation fodder for the "plant" or mine. Workers and their families were extensions of the "plant." They weren't going anywhere and were little more than indentured servants where 50 was the old 70.

 

[RandFan]

Business owners before the 50s did just that. A man was first generation fodder for the "plant" or mine. Workers and their families were extensions of the "plant." They weren't going anywhere and were little more than indentured servants where 50 was the old 70.

I've no idea how this advances the discussion in any meaningful way. Could you explain the relevance? You didn't answer my question so I'm not honestly sure if you would prefer to be a slave, subject to cruelty without right to redress or free speech.

I look forward to your answer. Thank you.

 

[Clayton Moore]

I've no idea how this advances the discussion in any meaningful way. Could you explain the relevance? You didn't answer my question so I'm not honestly sure if you would prefer to be a slave, subject to cruelty without right to redress or free speech.

I look forward to your answer. Thank you.

It's what I would choose and I suspect if your owner could beat you or kill you or take your children from you and sell them you wouldn't think being owned was a good thing either.

Business owners before the 50s did just that. A man was first generation fodder for the "plant" or mine. Workers and their families were extensions of the "plant." They weren't going anywhere and were little more than indentured servants where 50 was the old 70.


I didn't say being a slave was a good thing.

You need to look at the big picture when you talk about employer subjugation of workers and by default their families.

The health and well being of white workers meant absolutely nothing to employers. And if you want to discuss violence against workers checkout the old newsreels and the history books.

Child labor? Employers couldn't wait to get your 10 year old and the wages for free men were so low 6th grade was the exit point of most children.

You get injured at work you get fired and someone eagerly takes your place. The slave owner tends to his workers and a roof and three squares is still there.

 

[RandFan]

I didn't say being a slave was a good thing.

I have no idea what your point is. I really don't. I've read through the OP and the posts I've responded to and I honestly don't know what it is you are trying to say.

You need to look at the big picture when you talk about employer subjugation of workers and by default their families.

I never thought otherwise. In fact I addressed this directly.

The health and well being of white workers meant absolutely nothing to employers. And if you want to discuss violence against workers checkout the old newsreels and the history books.

Yes, and?

Child labor? Employers couldn't wait to get your 10 year old and the wages for free men were so low 6th grade was the exit point of most children.

Okay, and?

You get injured at work you get fired and someone eagerly takes your place. The slave owner tends to his workers and a roof and three squares is still there.

Conceded, and?

Before civilization humans often went to bed hungry, died young, had no free time, no weekends off, no vacation, exposure to the elements.

Civilization brought with it surplus, medicine and medical care. Better structures to protect us from the elements and labor saving devices. There were trade offs though. Yes, employers exploited the workers. That's been conceded but it's not as if there were zero choices. Given a choice between being white and exploited and being black and subject to cruelty with zero opportunity to change my situation I would choose to be white and exploited. So did many of the immigrants who came to America.

No one voluntarily risked death to come to America to be a slave. If you can understand the difference between those two you will begin to understand why your point is largely meaningless. You are right, there were pernicious social evils. Those were NOT on par with slavery.