Across America, politicians are doing, as they always have, representing their wealthy donors at the expense of workers, people of color, people with disabilities, and anyone not wealthy. But the so-called return to work movement is not just the usual ableism, classism, and racism we have come to expect from politicians. It’s also the related issue of attempting to maintain white supremacy and the power of the wealthy white “elite” who have dominated American politics since the inception of America.
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The focus on empty office space and people not eating lunch and dinner at downtown restaurants is a clear indication for anyone willing to see it that America’s politicians only care about their wealthy constituents.
If a remote worker doesn’t live downtown and supports local minority-owned small business owners they are supporting their community. They are supporting small business. They are supporting businesses owned by people from continuously oppressed communities. Since minority small businesses aren’t the politician’s preferred constituents supporting those businesses is not acceptable; instead, they need to force people downtown where prices are higher and most businesses are owned by national corporations and/or wealthy franchisers.
The pandemic, once again, provided opportunities for people and communities to adapt to a changing world and use the changes to make a more accessible, inclusive society. As always, America’s “leaders” have chosen to continue oppressing the same people they always oppress in order to further line the pockets of their wealthy donors.
As time passes, communities that embrace the new reality and begin planning community development around a more mobile, decentralized workforce will vastly out compete those communities who insist on maintaining systems of oppression to satisfy their wealthy white donors. Sadly, because we are talking about America, few communities will answer the call to change. Oppression will become more intrenched, people will lose more hope, and the wealthy will get wealthier.