White Working Class

Overcoming Class Cluelessness in America

By: Joan C. Williams

Narrated by: Liisa Ivary

Length: 3 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Around the world, populist movements are gaining traction among the white working class. Meanwhile, members of the professional elite - journalists, managers, and establishment politicians - are on the outside looking in, left to argue over the reasons. In White Working Class, Joan C. Williams, described as having "something approaching rock star status" by the New York Times, explains why so much of the elite's analysis of the white working class is misguided, rooted in class cluelessness.

Williams explains that many people have conflated "working class" with "poor" - but the working class is, in fact, the elusive, purportedly disappearing middle class. They often resent the poor and the professionals alike. But they don't resent the truly rich, nor are they particularly bothered by income inequality. Their dream is not to join the upper middle class, with its different culture, but to stay true to their own values in their own communities - just with more money. While white working-class motivations are often dismissed as racist or xenophobic, Williams shows that they have their own class consciousness.

White Working Class is a blunt, bracing narrative that sketches a nuanced portrait of millions of people who have proven to be a potent political force. For anyone stunned by the rise of populist, nationalist movements, wondering why so many would seemingly vote against their own economic interests, or simply feeling like a stranger in their own country, White Working Class will be a convincing primer on how to connect with a crucial set of workers - and voters.

©2017 Joan C. Williams (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

White Working Class

This book offers a thought provoking analysis of the 2016 election result. I agree with much of what the author has to say; however, I believe that a lack of knowledge in basic civics as well as significant misogyny in the general population played a major role in the result. This book is well worth the read in adding to an understanding of what happened.

explains why Trump was appealing

lots of insight into class in the USA
belittling the white middle class is not the Way to go.

Yes, Yes, and a No.

There was something missing throughout the book. I agreed with much of what written but expect for a couple of the later chapters, the author chastised is only liberals. That the 2016 election and its result was all our fault. We could have done better.

Yet are we here because of clueless liberals or because of feminazi calling pundits and government hating politicians? The “family” Joan wrote about is not just liberals it includes conservatives. Working things out actually requires both sides, not just liberals saying/doing better. Liberals winning a couple more elections won’t get the job done.

The republicans are not going to help anyone economically but for the already economically advantaged, which includes liberal elites. They destroyed both public and private unions. My uncle, a hard working blue collar worker, Korean War vet, lost his job when the government hater extraordinaire killed his future by firing the air traffic controllers.

I get that people make fun of working class Whites, and they feel left out. That their lives have turned upside down in the last 40 years (even though never as bad as many people of color). Liberals could do much better at many things. Yet a new strategy working is wishful thinking if conservatives keep demonizing us/liberals.

Hillary could have been better at things, but if she can lose to someone like Trump, there is much more wrong then more cohesive language and more inclusive policies. Communication must improve but the blame should have been more spread around. It seemed like the author was giving conservatives/JD Vancers an out.

Thoughtful

I highly recommend this book for every progressive, liberal or Democrat.
I am what the author describes as a "Class Migrant". I grew up in the South very poor. & became my family's 1st college graduate. This book explores how to bridge the communication gap that often occurs between rural working class voters & the profesional class urban voters.
This book illustrate how to reach out & understand each other and empathize. It is a model for finding common ground & not writing off people who we disagree with.

Highly Recommended

This book was a breath of fresh air and ignored media bias in politics. This book shows the importance to inclusiveness for everyone, not just the white elite or minorities. I think everyone needs to read this whether you are on the left or right if you really care about social justice. And if you've already made up your mind based off the title, don't. It's written by a democratic woman!

Excellent book

Though a short listen, there is a lot of food for thought for those of us who can’t understand the white working class’s continuing support for TFG.

A snob’s honest perspective with minor belittling.

A fair assessment on the working class and the Presidential election - with just enough snobbishness to make it uncomfortable.

Comprehensive, direct, easily-applied information.

The author supports her simple break-down of the no-nonsense reality of the white working class with plenty of easy-to-follow statistics and makes good arguments based on her information. I didn't look at the time of the book when I read this, so I was disappointed by how short it was; the length reflects some of the detail, which I had anticipated more of based on the review that spurred me to make the purchase.

The reader has good pace and speaks concisely, but has a horrible habit of making the same tonation and inflection at the end of her sentences, which was irritating. As I was still able to finish the reading without screaming, I don't think it was too bad, just very noticable.

Overall recommend for some easy food-for-thought that a lot of people should eat.

Excellent portrayal

Excellent portrayal of the current political dynamic, but I find the author's solutions too timid and lacking. A book about class warfare for people who are uncritical of capitalism. I can only fault the work for that.

So relevant

This subject is pivotal to understanding conflict in the professional issues of nurses in particular.