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Quote by Michael Yates

“I am sure that the experience of growing up in the heart of the working class and learning from my parents, and especially from my grandmother (who also worked on a barge boat as a cook and a servant for rich folks in Manhattan, Newport, Grosse Point, and Sewickley, all havens of the very rich), that life was not especially fair and always full of bad possibilities, helped shape my future take on life. Then what really transformed my thinking was the war in Vietnam and trying to be a good teacher.”

Quote by Michael Yates

Author

Michael Yates is a renowned economist born in 1946. He has made significant contributions to the field of economics, particularly in labor economics and the structure of capitalist economies. more

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“The Vietnam War was so obviously evil and bore down most heavily upon working class youth that it made me think about things more deeply than I had before. It disillusioned me completely and forever about the government. And it made me aware that the media and the government lied almost as a matter of course. But it also opened my eyes to what was really going on in America.”

Thinking Made War Matter Government Eye America Courses Evil Class Forever Media Youth Vietnam Bores Working Class Lied Vietnam War Disillusioned

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“With respect to teaching, I couldn't make sense of mainstream economics when I had to teach it to college students. At the same time, I could see at the school that there was a whole lot of hypocrisy. Not much real respect for the "higher learning."”

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“I still believe that workers must be the basic force which must organize and eventually transform society (along with peasants in poor countries). This is because they are the source of the profits which make capitalism what it is. They can shut the system down, and at the same time they possess the unique knowledge needed to make it work in everyone's interests.”

Believe Stills Country Force Interest Poor Source Needed Unique Capitalism Down And Workers Profit Organize Peasants I Still Believe Poor Countries

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“Young people are more likely to be idealistic and think that radical change is both necessary and possible. They may not yet be stuck in the routinized and sterile life that work and age often bring, nor stuck in any kind of rigid way of thinking. They have great energy and can get things done.”

People Thinking Way Kind May Done Age Young Energy Stuck Radical Way Of Thinking Things Done Idealistic Radical Change

Author:Michael Yates

“Most young people are or will soon enough be workers. They can help to energize and radicalize the workers' movement. And what revolution has ever succeeded without youth?”

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Author:Michael Yates

“All of the youth ferment on campuses is a very good thing. Lots of people are being permanently transformed and will do good thing throughout their lives. However, young people must be careful not to be coopted, even by labor unions and the like. They must keep their eye on a radical transformation of society.”

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“Of course we can talk about the radical potential of youth. But in the U.S. it is still the case that most youth are conservative and not very sympathetic to the working class.”

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“The main dividing line is still race. This is the issue that must be focused upon in all working class organizations.”

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“Without an understanding of the issue of race and a willingness to confront it head on, the working class will not build its strength.”

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Author:Michael Yates

“Racism is the most divisive force in our society, so until it is dealt with we cannot hope for much.”

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