This week's podcast covers a variety of interesting topics including advocacy and activism, racial profiling in Berlin's public pools, the workers' movement, the power of Nazi ideology, the myth of the welfare queen, the recent conflict in Artsakh, supporting the people in Armenia, and work at the US-Mexico border.
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Quick takeaways
The way people think and talk about class in the United States is flawed and leads to misconceptions, often conflating class with race and gender.
Differentiate between slogans and Marx's comprehensive theory to fully grasp the complexities of class and value.
Right-wing's distortion and misrepresentation of the labor theory of value have reduced class to aesthetics and grievances.
In Nazi Germany, anti-capitalism ideology turned into a movement targeting Jews, exterminating them in an attempt to eradicate the abstract.
Ronald Reagan exploited the racist welfare queen myth to perpetuate racial divisions within the working class.
Deep dives
The Distorted Perception of Class in the United States
The way people think and talk about class in the United States is flawed and leads to misconceptions. People often wrongly label Trump as working class or downplay the importance of occupations like being a barista as working-class jobs. There is a discrepancy between the way the white working class is discussed and the broader understanding of the working class. Class is often conflated with race and gender, reducing its meaning to aesthetics and grievances. This misunderstanding is a result of the way class has been adapted and distorted by right-wing politics. It is crucial to reassess and reframe the discussion on class to have a more accurate understanding of society.
The Labor Theory of Value and Its Distortion
The labor theory of value, originally proposed by Marx, is often associated with the understanding of class in the early labor movements. However, slogans like 'labor is the source of all wealth' have oversimplified and distorted the true essence of the labor theory of value. While Marx critiques this slogan, emphasizing that nature also contributes to wealth, the belief that labor is fundamental in creating value is common in the 19th and early 20th century. It is important to differentiate between the slogans and Marx's comprehensive theory to fully grasp the complexities of class and value.
The Role of the Right in Distorting the Labor Theory of Value
The distortion of the labor theory of value can largely be attributed to the right-wing's adaptation and misrepresentation of the successful leftist conception of labor. By distorting and appropriating the labor theory of value, the right has reduced class to aesthetics and grievances, effectively erasing the dynamic and relational nature of class. This manipulation has contributed to the flawed perception of class in contemporary discourse, undermining the understanding of societal power dynamics and hindering efforts to address inequality and injustice.
The transformation of the productive and unproductive worker distinction in Nazi Germany
In Nazi Germany, the ideology of anti-capitalism was transformed into a movement that targeted Jews, turning the productive and unproductive worker distinction into a racial category. This led to the extermination of European Jews in an attempt to eradicate the abstract and liberate the concrete. The Nazis fought a revolution against the Jews, disregarding the military defeat they faced against other countries. This ideology continues to persist in various forms today.
Ronald Reagan's use of the welfare queen myth
Ronald Reagan exploited the welfare queen myth, a racist caricature of a black woman who supposedly lived off welfare fraudulently. This myth was used to pit white workers against black welfare recipients by invoking racial prejudice and resentment towards those who supposedly did not have to work for a living. The ideological project aimed to expel black workers from the popular imagination of the working class, perpetuating racist divisions and bolstering right-wing thought.
The ongoing conflict in Armenia's Karabakh region
The conflict in Armenia's Karabakh region has a long history, with competing claims over the territory. The recent invasion by Azerbaijan has cut off the region from the Republic of Armenia and caused severe suffering for the Armenian majority population. The invasion aims to retake the entire region and create divisions between white and black workers. The Armenian military has been disabled, exacerbating the crisis and leaving the region in a state of turmoil.
Detention in Hakumba
In Hakumba, there has been a large number of migrants detained and left in the open desert. Border Kindness has been providing aid and support to these individuals, who have been dumped at various transit centers across San Diego County. The conditions in which they are being held are challenging, and there is a need for immediate assistance to ensure their well-being.
Detention between the walls in San Ysidro and dumping at transit centers
Another issue is the detention of migrants between the walls in San Ysidro, where they are being held in large numbers. Additionally, there has been a disturbing trend of migrants being dumped at various transit centers across the county. These actions have resulted in mass chaos and a dire need for support and resources to ensure the safety and dignity of those affected.
Summary 1
The podcast episode discusses the ongoing situation at the Hakumba camp, located on the east side of Hakumba and the west side of Boulevard. The largest camp, hidden from visibility and accessible after a drive down dirt roads, is strategically positioned. Locals confirm that the more visible camps receive fewer people each day and are cleared out faster. Border patrol has been transporting people on foot from the border to this hidden camp, indicating a deliberate and calculated approach. Border patrol provides minimal support, such as an eight-ounce bottle of water or a 16-ounce bottle at times. The responsibility of caring for migrants has been outsourced to community organizations, who provide essential services such as food, shelter, hygiene items, and warm clothing. There is a lack of communication and responsibility from both the government and local authorities.
Summary 2
Community organizations, including Border Kindness and American Friends Service Committee, have been responding to the ongoing humanitarian crisis at the Hakumba camp. These organizations rely on community support to provide aid and assistance. Monetary donations are crucial for purchasing essential items in bulk and meeting daily needs. Each donation, even as little as $5, can make a significant difference in providing meals, warm clothing, and other necessities. Volunteers, after proper vetting, can offer support by assisting with food preparation and supply transportation. Awareness and advocacy play a vital role in urging local authorities to take responsibility and provide the necessary support to those in need. Donations can be made through Venmo, Cash App, or by contacting the organizations directly.
All of this week's episodes of It Could Happen Here put together in one large file
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