Research analyzed more than 21 billion Facebook friendships and found that users who are low-income who have friends who are in higher-income are more likely to earn more income.
Let’s rephrase that shall we? People who are exploited more by the capitalist system, when you have friends who are taking advantage of the capitalist system, you more likely will advance in the capitalist system.
What that shows us is part of the underbelly of capitalism, the part that rich people don’t want you to talk about. If you have more ins with people who exploit, then you have more resources to the exploitation.
One of the reasons why we have this fake idea of “excellence” for Ivy Leagues, for example, is not because necessarily they are the best schools when it comes to content, but because they have some of the strongest powerful networks in the country.
The same thing goes for working at a “prestigious” or “top” company. Now, being a “prestigious” company, all of that is created and constructed. When you’re at one of these “top” institutions then your network is more powerful because of capitalism, and yes, white dominance.
The whole basis for capitalism and white supremacy is this fake idea, this made up idea of the “elite.” For centuries we seen the way it works. “Oh you’re white? Come with us, you’re hired.” “Oh you’re wealthy? You’re deserving, you get to come in.” “Oh, you know that white person, you know that wealthy person? Great, they’re in our networks already.” That’s how rampant cronyism works at organizations and companies and schools.
Again the way to think about this is, not low income people are friends with high-income people and thus low income people are making more money. But rather those that are more exploited are given more access by those who exploit.
Just remember, don’t be complacent. Those who have power and privilege should not be complacent in that power.
Just because you’re friends with people with different classes doesn’t mean capitalism goes away. Our goal is to be friends outside the structure of capitalism, not within it.
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