Class Quote by Howard Zinn
“If you have an economic system in which there must be a lower class, there must be unemployed. There must be a large pool of people working at the worst jobs and the lowest paid jobs. Once you have a system like that, then the most likely people to be victims of that are people of color.”
About This Quote
Source Book: A People's History of the United States, Howard Zinn, 1980
Economic structures that create a permanent lower class also generate unemployment and concentrate hardship on marginalized groups, especially people of color.
In simple terms: Systems that enforce a low class cause unemployment and hurt minorities.
Key Takeaway
Address systemic inequality to reduce class‑based exploitation.
Themes
inequality
class
race
employment
systemic oppression
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- policy reform
- community organizing
- education access
- fair wages
Key Concepts
capitalism
structural racism
labor market segmentation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do economic policies create class divisions?
- What can individuals do to challenge systemic racism?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes a direct causal link without considering agency or variation across economies.
