Question

Are anarchists classist in the sense that they tend to despise the rich and privileged?

Comments

your question implies that recognizing class is the problem. it is similar to the reasoning behind the idea of "reverse racism".

so basically, yea, what Rice Boy said in their second paragraph. (RB, we can discuss the existence of class--or lack thereof--later?)

Answer 1

I don't think "classism" really exists because it implies that classes could ever exist without some form of conflict or domination taking place.

If it did exist, I doubt the term would accurately apply to anarchists hating the beneficiaries of capitalism any more than the term "racism" accurately applies to people of color hating the beneficiaries of white supremacy.

Comments

^this (must be at least 12 characters)

Answer 2

If we understand classism to be prejudice and oppression coming from one class toward another (despite all the vagaries involved in deciding who's in which class...), then it makes no sense to think of classism as anything other than what ruling class and middle class people do to working class and poor people. Ruling and middle class people are the ones who have access to institutions that are capable of manifesting prejudice and oppression, while working class and poor people do not. It's really that simple. So whatever class hatred might exist among anarchists, it's there for specific reasons that can be seen and measured. It's convenient for anarchists to despise "the rich and privileged" (whoever they might be), and it may even seem unreasonable at times, but it's not "classism" to hate the people who exploit and oppress you.