ABSTRACT
This chapter examines classism and its intersections, with particular attention to the historical and continuing intersection of racism and classism in the US. It offers an overview of historical legacies by which the US economy and class system were shaped, including slavery, colonial land theft, race and gender segregation in the workforce, and organized resistance to class inequality by labor unions and other groups. The chapter also elaborates on rhetorical devices like the myth of meritocracy and the conflation of capitalism with democracy and uncovers how they serve to disguise and justify classism. Using the Five Face of Oppression as an organizer, the chapter provides examples of classist exploitation, cultural imperialism, violence, powerlessness, and marginalization while also highlighting ways in which contemporary communities resist classism and work toward a more just society. It concludes with a workshop design and framework for facilitating learning about classism while modeling anti-classist praxis.
