The Language of Class Conflict

     In the chapter of Reshaping the Work-Family Debate for Wednesday (yes, I read ahead), Joan C. Williams elaborates upon the idea of ideological and material differences between the Professional-Managerial class (PMC) and the Missing Middle class, describing the way that those differences become attacks and foster "Culture Wars as Class Conflict."  As I read the chapter, I couldn't help but notice how much the language of the two classes played a role in the conflict.  Williams provides examples of minor slip-ups as well as major offenses - and illuminates the very real need for diatopical hermeneutic engagement with these issues.

     One example of a minor slip-up that Williams provides is Barack Obama's comment about arugula.  While campaigning in Iowa, Obama famously asked,

"Anybody gone into Whole Foods lately? See what they charge for arugula?"
 

Although well-intentioned, this slip-up evidenced a certain oblivion regarding Missing Middle life (and food).  Similarly, in class today Nadia brought up the implications of saying that you are "Well" or "Good."  In Professional-Managerial and other 'highly-educated' circles, to say "I'm well." is to indicate mastery of 'proper' English grammar.  However, the same phrase said to Missing Middle or other 'less-educated' circles signifies pretentiousness and condescension.

     Unlike the examples above, these minor slip-ups can also turn into major offenses.  Williams uses the example of Clinton and Obama's comments on religion in the Democratic primaries as they attempted to appeal to Missing Middle voters.  When attempting to explain the Missing Middle to his wealthier supporters, Obama said,

"You go into some of these small towns in Pennsylvania, and like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them ... And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

The insinuation that the Missing Middle "clings" to their religious beliefs due to economic disenfranchisement is not only wrong, but horribly offensive.  This statement was rebuked by Hillary Clinton who, while campaigning in Indianapolis, said,

“The people of faith I know don’t ‘cling to’ religion because they’re bitter. People embrace faith not because they are materially poor, but because they are spiritually rich."

 

     Though Clinton made an okay recovery for the Democratic party, these assumptions, statements, and even phrases or wordings (cling vs. embrace) are not limited to oblivious politicians - they are made by Professional-Managerial class members all of the time.

 

    This morning I encountered a horrific example of the consequences of class-blindness acting out in words when I opened my Facebook.  As a vocal social media utilizer, I follow many progressive Facebook Pages - feminist, anti-racist, pro-queer, etc. - one of which is I Acknowledge that Class Warfare Exists, an anti-capitalist, pro-Palestine, pro-gun control, radically liberal group.  Today they had posted an article about a study which found that conservatives and gun owners are more likely to commit suicide.  However, their caption of the article read:

 

"Finally, some good news."

 

First I couldn't believe it; then I was sickened and appalled.  I understand that we hold very different opinions about a majority of social and political issues - however, it is absolutely unacceptable to insinuate that a person's political beliefs justify pleasure at their death, especially death by suicide. 

 

     After "unliking" the page, I couldn't help but wonder if these were the inevitable consequences of a growing culture-gap between the PMC and the Missing Middle.  If we don't start actively trying to engage in genuine understanding between these classes, we will continue to demonize those who disagree with us - even to the point of dehumanization, moving them beyond compassion, empathy, and hope.