We won't fix American politics until we talk about class | Joan C. Williams | TEDxMileHigh

As Americans, we avoid discussing class -- it's kind of taboo. But everything we do is class-marked, from the coffee we drink to our deepest personal values. In this fascinating talk, scholar Joan C. Williams reveals why class conflict is the root of political polarization and how we can step back from the brink.

[Dan-pdys]

What a fantastic Ted talk. Kudos to this woman. She is doing the work that will maybe just maybe save the American dream and begin to reunite the American people.

I come from the PME, and it irks me to no end the simplistic and pretentious thinking a lot of us have regarding the White working class and class in general.

This talk should be mandatory to watch in universities and in workplaces and on the massive screens in Times Square, and blaring into the ear pieces of every single news anchor in the mainstream media.

[francois]

"We don't live in a fly-over state, we live in our home" I'm not even American and I felt that one.

[jtcx]

This is the type of discussion we should see on major networks. Whether you agree with her points or not, this it intelligent discussion.

[itouchtheskyilovetrentino]

I love Americans. Thank you so much for talking of this argument. Lovely watching and listening to you here at the top of the mountain of Italy.

[cliffordhodge]

This should be pointed out repeatedly in public discussions: When people use the term "middle class" they are referring to a group positioned well above the economic middle.

[Dignity]

This is an important talk. Class slurs are not stigmatized like racial slurs because socio-economic status is not a protected class under the American Constitution.

[grudzz]

Im being sarcastic here but isnt it strange how topics like these arent a fixture of mainstream news/media EVERYDAY...mmm...i wonder why not.

[socratesagain]

Outstanding Ted, professor Williams! Sorry it took me _four_ years to get to it. Life, you know. It has a messy tendency to get in the way. That said, too bad our new USSC majority has not viewed this presentation which gets to the core of our present culturo-political dilemma. This past session seriously disrupted our Republic with the abortion issue, one long settled by _Roe v. Wade_ , and opened a wound in the American body politic which may fester for years. Loved the way you referred to guns and abortion as "proxy wars" for deeper sociological and psychological (i.e. rage, self-loathing, identity insecurity, economic uncertainty, etc.) issues roiling in the deep recesses of the American psyche.
Be well.

[jamespatock]

A fabulous talk. Eloquent and succinct, thank you Joan.

[Shay]

I feel as if class in America is ignored because of the myth that class is fluid and changing. The “American Dream”

[michaelmayes]

It's not about class it is about lifestyle choice or lack of it. The working class and the poor have no lifestyle and are devoid of hope, they have to work to live, work till they die, with little or no saving, little or no pension but plenty of debt. The middle class have seen their income stagnate, whilst the top 15% have bombed ahead.


Who's jobs have they exported to asia? manufacturing which supported the working class, who supported the middle class management class hence both these classes of citizen suffered.


Question Joan, why is it bad to look back to the days when an American dad could work, earn a decent wage support a wife and a couple of children on one wage, retire with a pension, and live debt free. Is this the message do not look back otherwise your eyes might be opened as to what you have lost?


Who lost their homes in the 2008/9 recession not the people who caused it they prospered whilst the working/middle class paid the price either via evictions or a stagnation in salary, with no support of the elite who were in government.

What you can not get her head round is the democrat party lost, and can not understand why the middle and lower classes are in revolt.
I would respectfully point out Joan look at France for over a year a lot of the French citizens have been in revolt. Basis of which is worker working to survive, or are working and having to borrow just like Americans to eat at the end of the month. Whilst the elite in France are thriving just like America.


In equality can possibly be about your ethnic background, whilst equality when you are poor do not take this into account as you are all poor all devoid of life style choice all dollar free and debt ridden.


Look at the elite who have thrived, ask how they have thrived, in a recession enquire into their wealth, and you just might find who received the free money first always thrive, because their wealth has been given to them off the back of the rest.

[rodneyspider]

Noblesse oblige. While the working class wages has been stagnant for 30 years. The PME has more than tripled. Shutting the door on education and or jobs. See College Admissions Scandal. This is commonplace for those with money or influence. You want change you start Noblesse oblige.

[lizthor-larsen]

If unfulfilling jobs paid a really good wage it wouldn't be quite so bad.

[philsarkol]

Wow...impressive talk. Something to think about. Thank you Joan!!

[tommasogarber]

Joan C. Williams is a national treasure.

[sterlingferguson]

What a great lecture keep up the good work. I learned a lot from you, professor.

[Deanandtheconvo]

Please put this woman in the White House oh my gosh! I agree! What a beautiful good idea. Thank you

[IronJazz]

The problems we have, are inherent to Capitalism. I recommend reading Marx. On the other side, Countries that have called themselves "Communists", have found new ways to "F" things up. It is evident to me that greed screws up everything. Marx, himself, stated that he was not a Communist. I am more in line with Leon Trotsky's beliefs. My mom was introduced to them working in the "Sweat Shops" of NYC, when she was only 14, back in 1928. She became a member of Knit Good workers LU 155 of The ILGWU. She was the economic backbone for three generations.
Happy Mothers Day Lucy! <3

[rachelhannan]

Class is made up of a lot of things- not just finance. It is the most divisive factor in the world

[joecombs]

Blue collar class is stuck in the middle with both sides attacking the blue collar while they take from the blue collar without giving anything back.
One day the blue collar will be pushed beyond the point they are willing to tolerate.