American Prestige E210 - White American Liberals, Pt 2 w/ Kevin Schultz
May 13, 2025
Kevin Schultz, Chair of History at the University of Illinois-Chicago and author of 'Why Everyone Hates White Liberals', dives into the complexities of white liberalism. He discusses the origins of critiques like 'radical chic' and 'limousine liberal', the impact of figures such as Nixon and Schlafly on political identity, and the shift from support for the white working class towards civil rights. Schultz also explores the Democratic Party's struggle with its liberal identity amidst rising conservatism and the emergence of terms like 'owning the libs' in today’s political discourse.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Origins of "Radical Chic" Critique
- The "radical chic" critique began in the late 1960s with Tom Wolfe exposing white liberals' cultural elitism.
- This criticism stuck, linking liberalism with smugness and aloofness from common Americans.
Liberalism's Shift and Working Class Alienation
- Liberalism shifted focus in the 1960s from the white working class to supporting civil rights for Black and brown Americans.
- This caused a sense of abandonment among the white working class, fueling critiques of elite liberalism.
From Kennedy to Wallace Voters
- After Robert Kennedy's assassination, many white working class voters shifted from supporting him to voting for George Wallace.
- This shift illustrates the deep frustration and feeling of being forgotten by liberals among these voters.
