Morning Comrades.
All too often academics, and I am guilty of this, are so utterly stuck in their own worlds that discussions of theoretical ideas fail to relate to the experienced material reality. The key, especially in and out of the classroom, is always to relate political theory with the real so that they make sense. That’s what we are doing today.
Most, if not all of you know the song “Smalltown Boy” by Bronski Beat. To this day it is an absolute banger and similar to so much British music from that time had incredible political undertones- in this case, I wouldn’t call it undertones, the point of the song was and is clear. With that, we are going to use this song to talk about Intersectionality and Marxism.
A Little Context & Analysis
"Smalltown Boy" was released in 1984, at a time when LGBTQ+ people faced widespread discrimination, violence, and marginalization. The social, political, and economic climate of the 1980s was characterized by a conservative backlash against the gains of the Civil Rights and Women's Rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s. This backlash was fueled by the rise of the Christian Right and a conservative political agenda that sought to roll back social programs and promote traditional family values.
The Reagan & Thatcher administration's conservative policies contributed to the marginalization of LGBTQ+ people. In 1981, the administration in the US, for example, implemented a ban on federal funding for AIDS research and prevention, which disproportionately affected gay men and other marginalized groups. The administration also opposed anti-discrimination legislation and same-sex marriage, and promoted a culture of homophobia and intolerance.
Economically, the 1980s were characterized by a growing divide between the wealthy and the working class. Both administration's policies of deregulation and tax cuts favored the wealthy and contributed to the erosion of the middle class. This economic climate contributed to the marginalization of LGBTQ+ people from working-class backgrounds, who faced greater stigma and discrimination within their communities.
In this context, "Smalltown Boy" spoke to the experiences of a generation of LGBTQ+ people who were fighting for recognition and acceptance in a hostile and conservative climate. The song's focus on the intersection of class and sexuality was particularly resonant, as it spoke to the experiences of working-class LGBTQ+ people who faced unique challenges and forms of marginalization. Through its pulsing synths and soaring vocals, "Smalltown Boy" captured the emotional pain and yearning of a generation of LGBTQ+ people who were fighting for their rights and recognition.
At the heart of “Smalltown Boy” is the intersection of class and sexuality. The song tells the story of a young man who leaves his small town and his family behind to escape the homophobia and violence that he faces. The lyrics are filled with images of rejection and isolation, as the protagonist struggles to find a place where he belongs. The song’s chorus, with its plaintive refrain of “Run away, turn away, run away, turn away,” encapsulates the feeling of being trapped and desperate for escape.
The song’s focus on the experience of a working-class gay man speaks to the complex ways in which class and sexuality intersect. For many LGBTQ+ people, economic class can be a significant barrier to acceptance and community. Working-class communities are often more conservative and less accepting of LGBTQ+ people, and those who come from these backgrounds may face greater stigma and discrimination. This is reflected in the song’s lyrics, which describe the protagonist’s struggles with his family and community, and his sense of isolation and abandonment.
Identity politics also plays a significant role in the song’s meaning. “Smalltown Boy” is a powerful statement about the importance of visibility and representation for marginalized communities. By speaking out about his experiences as a gay man, the protagonist challenges the stereotypes and prejudices that exist in his small town. He asserts his right to exist and be recognized, despite the hostility he faces.
In this way, “Smalltown Boy” is a form of political resistance. It asserts the right of LGBTQ+ people to be seen and heard, and it challenges the norms and values of a society that seeks to marginalize and silence them. The song’s message is one of hope and resilience, as the protagonist refuses to be defeated by the forces that seek to oppress him. This message resonated deeply with LGBTQ+ people in the 1980s, who were fighting for their rights in the face of widespread discrimination and violence.
What Does Intersectionality Mean?
Intersectionality is a term used to describe the interconnectedness of different forms of oppression based on social identities such as race, gender, sexuality, and class. The concept was first coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 and has since been widely adopted in discussions of identity politics.
In the context of Marxism and identity politics, intersectionality refers to the idea that economic class and social identities are not separate and distinct forms of oppression, but rather intersect and reinforce each other. For example, a person who is both working-class and a person of color may experience both economic exploitation and racial discrimination, and these forms of oppression may reinforce each other.
Intersectionality recognizes that individuals experience multiple forms of oppression based on their social identities and that these forms of oppression are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. It highlights the importance of understanding these intersections in order to create more inclusive and just societies. Hit the Footnotes below to dig a little deeper with some Further Reading.1
On the Intersection of Marxism and Identity Politics
The intersection of Marxism and identity politics has been a subject of debate and discussion for decades. While Marxism traditionally focuses on economic class struggle and the exploitation of the working class by the capitalist class, identity politics recognizes that individuals face different forms of oppression based on their social identities, such as race, gender, sexuality, and religion.
Marxist theory argues that economic class is the primary factor in determining an individual's social and political status. According to Marx, the working class is exploited by the capitalist class, who control the means of production and accumulate wealth at the expense of the working class. In Marxist theory, the struggle between these two classes is the defining feature of society, and the ultimate goal is to abolish capitalism and create a classless society.
Identity politics, on the other hand, recognizes that individuals experience different forms of oppression based on their social identities. For example, Black people may experience racism, women may experience sexism, and LGBTQ+ people may experience homophobia and transphobia. Identity politics focuses on understanding and addressing these forms of oppression, and advocates for the recognition of these identities as important aspects of a person's social and political identity.
The intersection of Marxism and identity politics recognizes that economic exploitation and social oppression are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. For example, a person who is Black and working-class may face both economic exploitation by capitalist systems and racism from society at large. In this way, Marxist theory provides a framework for understanding the ways in which economic class and social identity intersect, and how they contribute to the overall structure of society.
Some scholars argue that Marxist theory can provide a useful tool for understanding the ways in which economic systems perpetuate social oppression based on identity. They argue that by understanding how capitalism reinforces and perpetuates systems of oppression, we can better understand the root causes of these forms of oppression and work towards dismantling them. Hit the Footnotes again for some more reading material on the subject.2
The obvious point is here that the merging of the two fields of study can and is a powerful tool in the progression of Marxist Thought and action.
Whether you enjoy the song just for the song or/and wanted some political context, here you go. It’s a tune and a half with context to boot.
Yours, warmly,
V.
There are several scholars who have contributed to the development of the intersection between Marxism and identity politics. Some of the most important scholars include:
Angela Davis - Angela Davis is a prominent scholar and activist who has written extensively on issues of race, gender, and class. Her work often explores the intersection of these different forms of oppression, and she has argued for the importance of understanding the ways in which they are mutually reinforcing.
Kimberlé Crenshaw - Kimberlé Crenshaw is a legal scholar who is credited with coining the term "intersectionality" to describe the ways in which different forms of oppression intersect and reinforce each other. Her work has been influential in shaping the development of identity politics and has helped to highlight the importance of understanding the unique experiences of individuals based on their social identities.
Stuart Hall - Stuart Hall was a British cultural theorist who made important contributions to the study of race and identity. He argued that identity is a complex and fluid concept that is shaped by both personal experiences and broader social structures, and he emphasized the importance of understanding the intersections of different forms of oppression.
Bell Hooks - Bell Hooks is a feminist scholar who has written extensively on issues of race, gender, and class. Her work often explores the ways in which different forms of oppression intersect and shape individuals' experiences, and she has argued for the importance of understanding these intersections in order to create more inclusive and just societies.
Overall, these scholars and many others have contributed to the development of the intersection between Marxism and identity politics, highlighting the ways in which economic systems and social identities intersect and shape individuals' experiences of oppression and marginalization.
There is a vast body of academic literature on the intersection of class and sexuality, as well as on identity politics.
Greenberg, D. F. (1988). The Construction of Homosexuality. University of Chicago Press.
This book explores the social and cultural construction of homosexuality and argues that it is shaped by historical, political, and economic factors. It analyzes the ways in which class, race, and gender intersect with sexuality to produce complex and varied experiences of identity and community.
Skeggs, B. (1997). Class, Self, Culture. Routledge.
In this book, Skeggs examines the relationship between class and identity, arguing that social class is not just an economic category but also a cultural and symbolic one. She shows how class identities are constructed through everyday practices and interactions, and how they intersect with other forms of identity, including gender, race, and sexuality.
Collins, P. H. (1990). Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment. Routledge.
Collins' book is a classic of intersectional feminist theory, and it explores how the experiences of Black women are shaped by the intersections of race, gender, and class. It argues that these intersections produce unique forms of oppression and resistance, and that they are essential to understanding the complexities of social inequality.
Warner, M. (2002). Publics and Counterpublics. Zone Books.
Warner's book examines the concept of publics and counterpublics, and how they are formed through shared practices and discourses. He argues that marginalized groups often form counterpublics as a way to resist dominant discourses and assert their own identities and values. This concept is relevant to the analysis of "Smalltown Boy" as it speaks to the protagonist's efforts to create a counterpublic that challenges the homophobia and intolerance of his small town.
These are just a few examples of the vast body of academic literature on the themes of class, sexuality, and identity politics. Each of these works provides a nuanced and complex understanding of the ways in which these themes intersect and shape individual and collective experiences.