Only Those with Full Civil Rights Can Afford to Ignore Civil Rights

[MineralMan]

Those who don't have the same equal rights as those with privilege can't ignore that. Those rights also impact the ability to work, the chance to see all children as well educated as those with privilege, and the freedom to fully enjoy our society. If you can't vote, for example, you are forced to take what you get, politically. If you can't marry, you can't enjoy the benefits of marriage fully. If you can be paid less than someone else who does the same work at the same place, you are unequal.

Those of us, like me, born with the privilege of being white, male, straight and blessed with a university education have privilege that is unattainable by a vast number of people. It's easy for us to forget the importance of social justice and full access to the rights of this society. It's important, even crucial, that we do not lose sight of that due to our own privilege.

It is not a matter of whether economic justice or social justice is more important. Both are equally important, and have an enormous impact on each other. We need to focus on both, not just one. We need to make sure every U.S. Citizen has precisely the same basket of rights and can freely enjoy them. Unless we do that, our privilege is getting in the way of our judgment.

Nobody can call him or herself a progressive without a recognition that civil justice and economic justice are of equal importance, in my opinion. Both are essential in a nation like ours. Neither are in place. That's what we should all be working toward. We shouldn't be fighting against each other over these priorities. They are both equal in priority.

That is my belief, and position. If yours varies from that, so be it.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. Here's where you nail it in my books.

It is not a matter of whether economic justice or social justice is more important. Both are equally important, and have an enormous impact on each other. We need to focus on both, not just one.

[MineralMan]

3. Thank you.

That has always been my position since I became an adult. It informs everything about my political views.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

2. Yep

Unless you are not white, then you first need to achieve the same civil rights as everyone else, then your statement applies as to both being equal in importance

[MineralMan]

4. Thank you. You can count on me to work

toward that, always. I try never to forget my privilege.

[questionseverything]

5. the nsa is the great equalizer

every phone call is collected/recorded whether u are yellow,red,black,brown or white

white privilege may apply as whether they are "flagged" or not but ur civil rights as described in the 4th have been compromised

[MineralMan]

6. Actually, no, it's not.

You're way off topic in this thread. This thread is not about the NSA. You can start such a thread, but please don't try to hijack this thread.

[questionseverything]

7. u said u enjoy full civil rights

i am pointing out,,,u do not,at least as i understand the 4th and the nsa info

[MineralMan]

8. u r rong. pls dnt rite n txt spch.

It's hard to read and prevents me from taking you seriously. You are not limited in characters on DU. Please do everyone the courtesy of using correct and full English spelling here. Just a suggestion. This is not a text message board. Thanks.

[questionseverything]

16. the aclu agrees with me

https://www.aclu.org/nsa-documents-search

[MineralMan]

21. It remains off-topic in this thread.

Start an NSA thread if that's your topic. This thread is no about that.

[NYC_SKP]

9. Disagree. People Without Full Civil Rights Can and Do Ignore Others' Civil Rights.

Jesus, to suggest otherwise leaves our most of the US population.

Examples abound but just to name one, take the poor white working class woman in Appalachia who dismisses rights for immigrants on the other side of the continent while suffering the abuses of a corrupt voting system.

To be sure, rich white Protestant straight males who are of above average height and health enjoy privileges due to their demographic.

But to suggest that ignorance of civil rights is their exclusive domain seems problematically oversimplified, even ignorant of the reality of the diversity of conditions felt in our nation by people of all races, genders, and sexual orientations.

[MineralMan]

10. So, you disagree that civil and economic rights are of equal importance?

If you read my post, you know that was my point from the beginning. Consider the entire post, not just the title, please. I'll do you the same courtesy in your posts.

ETA: I have edited the title of my OP, to clarify. I do hope you'll take the time now to read the entire post.

[NYC_SKP]

19. No, that doesn't follow from what I wrote.

Though I'm glad you modified the title.

For others I know it needs to be said, but for me all you've written is a given.

I could take it further, all suffer, even white wealthy straight males.

No degree of suffering is more righteous than others, and we will always be fighting for equity and fairness, as we must.

We'll never get there, of course. It's a journey not a destination, dynamic.

The challenge, IMO, is how to embrace it collectively, as one, without labels.

[99Forever]

11. They are complimentory agendas.

NOT competing. We need BOTH, not either or.

Just another way TPTB get us to fight with each other and not force the TRUE justice we all should have.

[MineralMan]

12. Yes. Just as I said. We need to work hard on both.

Thanks.

[William769]

13. Very well said my friend.

[MineralMan]

14. Thanks! That means a lot.

[emulatorloo]

18. Well said, and thank you for saying it.

[joanbarnes]

20. You are correct, MineralMan

[MineralMan]

22. Thanks.

[Gothmog]

23. Great OP

I have been working on the voting right arena for many of the reasons listed

[MineralMan]

24. Thanks for your comment. Yes, voting rights

are crucial, especially in those states that are trying to suppress the vote with Voter ID and other measures. It's going to be a big part of GOTV efforts, and we need to get people registered and having the ID needed to vote. Thanks for your efforts. Fortunately for me, Minnesota isn't one of those states, and we still have election day polling place registration.

[Gothmog]

25. A recent study shows that same day registration helps turnout a great deal

In Texas, we have to cope with voter id and a host of voter suppression tactics