I maintain that the period during the first half of the 1990s, the period in which rising inequality reached its peak, was a period in which we came very, very close to a demagogic immobilization of racism in this society.
William Julius WilsonRead
I don't think we should stop emphasizing race because I think, you know, race is still very, very important, and we have to recognize that and continue to introduce programs to address racial inequities. But we have to widen our vision and also address the growing problems of economic class.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Race remains a crucial issue, but we must also focus on economic disparities.
William Julius Wilson highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing racial inequities while also urging a broader perspective that includes economic class issues. He suggests that while race is a significant factor in societal challenges, it is essential to widen our focus to encompass the growing problems associated with economic class, which can also exacerbate racial inequalities.
Themes
RaceEconomic ClassInequitiesSocietyPrograms
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about diversity initiatives at a university.
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All quotes →During the Great Depression, African Americans were faced with problems that were not unlike those experienced by the most disadvantaged groups in society. The Great Depression had a leveling effect, and all groups really experienced hard times: poor whites, poor blacks.
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