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I think it's an important point. The warehouse staff get treated worse than the AWS staff because they're fungible; easily replaced and cost little. But they're
by ealexhudson 6y ago
I think it's an important point. The warehouse staff get treated worse than the AWS staff because they're fungible; easily replaced and cost little. But they're also over-represented by women and people of colour, so the net effect is sexist and racist.
The decision making might not be explictly sexist/racist, but that feels like hiding behind an excuse. It is exactly a power dynamic.
- sitkack 6y agoRacism positions the fulcrum, you still have to push the lever yourself. And thus still participate in its effects.
- sanity31415 6y agoThat's not what "sexist" and "racist" means unless you have evidence that sex and race are the cause of their overrepresentation. If not, this is just race/gender baiting and it detracts from the broader issue of worker treatment.
- Miner49er 6y agoNo, that's not really the case. It doesn't matter if something is done on the basis of race or sex. If the end result hurts those groups disproportionately it's racist/sexist. I guess this just may be a difference in definitions, but I think when most people are talking about racism/sexism on a macro level, they are using this definition. You're right, the broader issue is worker's rights, but it's definitely worth pointing out that among workers with the least rights, minorities are overrepresented at Amazon.
- qppo 6y agoYou're basically identifying the difference between institutionalized racism and individual racists.
- JoeAltmaier 6y agoGetting pedantic here. Folks can 'see' race and not be racist. The Census taker for instance. Or the affirmative-action recruiter. To be meaningful, conventional racism has to include damage. Its an old debate technique for racists to complain that affirmative action is 'reverse racism'. Because, you see, it sees race and takes action.
- alkibiades 6y agoit is. you guys just keep contorting the definition to avoid any critiques
- JoeAltmaier 6y agoI guess there must be some agreement to talk meaningfully. "you guys"?
- lawnchair_larry 6y agoNo, that is absurd. That is not what sexism and racism means.
- WilliamEdward 6y agoWho cares? If a sex and a race are disproportionately negatively affected, it doesn't matter whether this is definitionally prejudiced or not.
- s1artibartfast 6y agoI think it does matter if you want to address the root cause of the problem. If the problem in this case is a lack of warehouse worker bargaining power vs profit motive, then solutions to a prejudice problem will not be helpful to the workers.
- mrkurt 6y agoThat's exactly what _systemic_ sexism and racism mean.