Does genuine ‘class reductionism’ exist? Yes it does. But ‘class reductionism’ shouldn’t be confused with the Marxist analysis that situates racism & other social oppression within the context of capitalism & the class basis from which these oppressions flow. That’s not reduction

‘Class reductionism’ is a charge that is often used, not at attempts to reduce everything to a vulgar class perspective, but instead at the Marxist analysis which sees racism as part of an interconnected web of oppressive phenomenon built upon capitalism & class struggle.

Every Marxist is opposed to the statement that we must only talk about class and nothing else, that is vulgar. But Marxists at the same time recognise the centrality of class struggle as the motive force in history alongside the dominant mode of production it creates.

We see racism and gendered oppression and every other form of oppression in this context. Racism is not separate or above class and capitalism, it is deeply connected to it. That’s why we insist on placing race in the framework of a class analysis to gain a full understanding.

In my perspective this is anything but reduction. This is enhancing our understanding of racism. This is enrichment.