12/30/2021
While reading "Value, Price and Profit" by Karl Marx I received a copy of Slavoj Zizek's "Heaven in Disorder." As I read it, I'm finding some true gems. On page 164, I found something that weakens the argument for "intersectionality." The idea that all "oppressions" are equal but that different groups should work together is a step forward, compared to the 1 issuism in which many activists engage, but it misses a very crucial element. According to Zizek, "Is class antagonism not also transversed by sexual and racial tensions? We should reject this solution for a precise reason: there is a formal difference between class antagonism and other antagonisms."
He further goes on to talk about sexual and racial antagonisms and how they are looking for "non-antagonistic co-existence." Transgender folks and Women are not fighting to exterminate men, similarly, Black people are not trying to exterminate all European people. The struggles to end sexism and racism are looking at a future of inclusion and equality of opportunity, decision making, and power. However, according to Zizek, " Class struggle does not function in this way. It aims at mutual recognition and respect of classes only in its Fascist or corporatist versions. Class struggle is a "pure" antagonism: the goal of the oppressed and exploited is to abolish classes as such, not to enact their reconciliation."
Any thoughts? What do you think about this?