this post was submitted on 30 Dec 2024
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How do we understand the primary contradiction in settler states? (lemmygrad.ml)
submitted 1 month ago by freagle@lemmygrad.ml to c/asklemmygrad@lemmygrad.ml
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I was recently in a conversation with a self-described MagaCommunist who held the position that the primary contradiction in the USA was that the financial owning class owned all of the means of production and that the contradictions of settler colonialism were secondary and could only be resolved through a workers' state.

I realized that I hold the position that settler colonialism is the primary contradiction in the USA, but I also found that I struggled to articulate it effectively. I'm looking for your own thoughts or writings that I can study to learn more on this topic.

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[–] redtea@lemmygrad.ml 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Gentle reminder as I'm curious as to your response.

It seems to me that the simplest aspect of it is that two opposing forces can't both occupy and control the same land at the same time. The colonists decide before they leave home that they are willing to do whatever it takes for absolute control over the colony.

That contradiction is salient because the coloniser is always an oppressor even if they also work. The mere act of going to work in a settler colony involves recreating the settler-colonial relationship. Life might not be great for every settler but any glimpse of prosperity comes at the expense of the indigenous.

[–] CriticalResist8@lemmygrad.ml 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I'll be honest I'm just lazy over having to type out the response and think about how I want to lay it out. I can tell it's gonna take me some time lol.

I might eventually get to writing it but you're basically on the right track. Indigenous exists in relation to settler and everything flows from there. @freagle@lemmygrad.ml

[–] redtea@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 1 month ago

Hah! I feel that!