*AA Group* Ever notice how people who claim that "focusing on racism plays into the hands of the 1%"

[YoungDemCA]

apparently didn't notice that anti-racist, pro-PoC organizations have been fighting for economic equality and empowerment all along?

The NAACP Economic Department recognizes the importance of the economy and economic issues in advancing an equal opportunity society and aims to address the challenging economic realities facing our country including poverty, lack of jobs and disproportionate high unemployment, lack of affordable housing, foreclosures, etc. The NAACP Economic Department’s work enhances the capacity of African Americans and other underserved groups through financial economic education; individual and community asset building initiatives; diversity and inclusion in business hiring, career advancement and procurement; and monitoring financial banking practices.

Economic Department Goals

- Empower local communities with the necessary education, resources and partnerships to develop sustainable economic models that advance diversity and equity.

- Ensure that government and industry are knowledgeable, and committed to bridging racial inequality particularly as it relates to employment, wealth, lending and business ownership.

Grow a movement of concerned citizens and organizations who work together to produce an inclusive and strong middle class economy for the 21st century.

http://www.naacp.org/issues/economic-opportunity/

Or, take a look at this list of African-American organizations. In addition to the NAACP, some examples listed below:

The National Council of Negro Women is an assembly of national African-American women’s organizations and community-based sections. Founded in 1935, the NCNW’s mission is to lead, develop and advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities. NCNW fulfills this purpose through research, advocacy and national and community-based services and programs on issues of health, education and economic empowerment in the United States and Africa.

The mission of 100 Black Men of America is to improve the quality of life and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all African Americans.

The National Urban League is a civil-rights organization focused on the economic empowerment of underserved urban communities. The National Urban League works through 100 local affiliates in 36 states and the District of Columbia to provide programming, public policy research and advocacy designed to improve the lives of more than 2 million people nationwide.

People who assert that focusing on racism is a "distraction" from focusing on "class" or "economic inequality" are either ignorant, intellectually dishonest, or are otherwise talking out of their ass. Not that those are mutually exclusive, of course.

[lovemydog]

1. Yes I've certainly noticed.

Some of those folks act like reducing economic inequality is a new idea. The people & organizations you cite have been working on it for years.