Marxism and Racism

Traditional Marxism

Traditional Marxists argue that the class oppression that is part of capitalism affects both White workers and workers of color. While all workers are exploited by capitalists, they argue, workers of color are “super-exploited.” In other words, while capitalists make profits from the labor of White workers, they make larger profits from workers of color due to race-segregated labor markets and unequal pay for the same work. The degree of exploitation of workers of color and White workers is viewed as a difference in degree rather than a difference in kind.

In this view, people of color are also seen as part of the “reserve labor force” that is necessary to the smooth functioning of capitalism. In periods of economic expansion when more workers are needed (i.e., World War II), people of color are pulled into jobs they can't usually obtain. During periods of contraction, they are pushed out of these jobs.

It is in the interests of the working class to become class conscious, say traditional Marxists. This means that workers of all races and cultures will understand that their common class interests (exploitation by capitalists) are more important than any differences they may have in terms of race, ethnicity, religion, or culture. It is in the interests of the capitalists, on the other hand, to keep the working class divided.

Racism is one of the ways that the working class remains divided. The ideological and attitudinal aspect of racism (stereotypes, prejudice, political beliefs) make workers believe that workers of other races, rather than capitalists, are their enemies. Whites and people of color will fight each other rather than uniting against the capitalists. This is sometimes called “false consciousness.” Sometimes, capitalists purposely try to use race to divide workers, such as by using Blacks as strikebreakers in a predominantly White workplace. Most of the time, however, the free-floating culture of racism causes workers to think in racial rather than class terms. Traditional Marxists tend to be suspicious of Nationalist movements among people of color (e.g., Black Power during the 1960s and 1970s), since this could further divide the working class.

In analyzing social phenomena like racism, traditional Marxists always ask the question “Who wins and who loses?” White capitalists clearly benefit from racism, and workers of color clearly lose out.

As for White workers, Marxists say that they lose more than they gain from racism. Although they have short-term benefits (e.g., better housing, jobs, pay, education), they are ultimately hurt by their continual exploitation by the capitalists. They would be better off uniting with workers of color against the capitalists.

...