“The same thing is required to enhance the success of social movements and to find the path past populism. The key: Learn how to connect with the moral intuitions of ordinary people.” — Joan C. Williams
“Class isn’t only about economics. It’s also expressed as cultural differences. Class shapes culture — and culture shapes politics.” — Williams
Joan C. Williams, social inequality scholar and author of “Outclassed,” gave a riveting explanation of how class competence can help advance progressive goals and why “If we don’t place progressive economic policies first, we’re not going to be able to do anything.”
Beyond that, in the SpitfireU session, “Winning Back the Working Class,” she outlined messaging that often alienates the “missing middle” and potential replacements. From her research, Joan shared what the data says about working class values and how “It’s precarity, not poverty, that fuels far-right populism.”
She encouraged communicators to “Tap working class talk traditions: Be direct, sincere, authentic. Lose the irony. Talk about the ruling class.”
We hope that you’ll watch the full recording to get the nuance of her conclusions.
Stay tuned for an upcoming blog with more insights and actionable advice from this SpitfireU discussion.
Want to keep learning with us? Check out our upcoming SpitfireU virtual communication courses.