Sexism, racism and post-capitalism

[Kadir Ateş]

I was speaking with a comrade not too long ago about sexist and racist attitudes living second lives in a post-capitalist society. I had argued (fairly out of hand) that such would not exist, while this person stated that we will still have sexist and racist attitudes (note: not institutionalized). I strongly believe that there is a material basis for sexism and racism, and that therefore they would be impossible to maintain.

Wanted to know some of your thoughts on the matter.

[Sensible Socialist]

I think a lot of racism stems from the fact that segregation is still prevalent, caused by economic differences. Schools are increasingly segregated, with minorities stuck in low-income neighborhoods and therefor failing schools that pack children of lower classes (predominantly of color) into certain schools, while economically advantaged whites are in different schools. Minorities are often stuck in urban areas, leading a large swaths of rural areas without much racial or ethnic differences. This leads to children growing up surrounded only by people who look the same. Or, in the case of urban areas, discontent with living situations cause people to vent their anger at the nearest thing they can put their finger on. In many cases it is someone of a different race, who is an easy target to blame (they're different).

Post-capitalism would see the integration of all people, regardless of color or economic background, which would lead to a dissapation of animosity between people of different groups.