Working classes

[Cheech06]

Let me explain myself here, as most of you know in the U.S. most of the labor workers are Latinos. What makes us the labor workers u may ask, its the language barrier, but i was thinking...who are the workers in other countries. I see what makes latinos the workers, language, but what makes the workers in other countries? What seperates the man workin in a office and a man with a shovel in his hand? Is there a seperation of capitalist and the proleteriat? Do yall get what im tryin to say? :huh:
-peace

[redstar2000]

Do yall get what im tryin to say?

Not exactly. :)

Are you saying that the majority of manual laborers in the U.S. are Hispanic? I'm not sure that's true...though I'm sure they make up a fairly high percentage. The language barrier probably does play a part in that. But I expect the time will come when every American will be taught Spanish and the U.S. will be a bi-lingual country...until we evolve "Spanglish".

There are actually two definitions of "the working class" that appear in Marx's work...and both are useful.

The first is: anyone who must sell their labor power to a capitalist in order to live. Only if you have enough money not to have to work for someone else have you escaped the working class.

The second is: anyone who produces surplus-value that is appropriated by capital is a worker.

Obviously, there are "gray areas" where it's difficult to be "sure".

But a huge number of people who sincerely think they are "middle class"...ain't! They're workers just as much as "the man with a shovel".

:redstar2000:

The Redstar2000 Papers (http://www.redstar2000papers.fightcapitalism.net)
A site about communist ideas

[Cheech06]

Yes im sayin that the majority of labor workers are latinos and its because of the language barrier. The language barrier makes up the workers in the U.S.....what makes the workers in other countries.

[Cheech06]

Fine everybody!!! Dont answer my freakin questions!!

[Guest1]

Please be patient. Sometimes people just don't know how to respond to a specific question, don't take it personally.

As for what you were saying, yes, the language barrier may lead to many latinos having a higher chance of being working class in the US. However, they are definitely not the majority of the working class there. One does not have to be latino to be working class.

What makes someone working class? The fact that they don't own the means of production and are therefore forced to sell their labour to a Capitalist for less than it's worth in order to survive.

I hope I understood your question properly, and I hope this was helpful :)