What do we mean by "Classism"?

Classism is the systematic oppression of the poorer sections of society by those who have access to - and/or control of - the resources necessary for the attainment of wealth. It includes individual attitudes and behaviours; systems of policies and practices that are set up to benefit the upper classes at the expense of the lower classes, resulting in drastic income and wealth inequality. Middle-class and ruling-class people (dominant group members) are seen as smarter and more articulate than working-class and poor people (subordinated groups). In this way, dominant group members (middle-class and wealthy people) define for everyone else what is "normal" or "acceptable" in the class hierarchy.

Classism is also the term used to describe institutionalised attitudes towards people who are judged to be of a certain class – as defined by members of the dominant group. The UK is rife with this form of classism; the mainstream media will not think twice about reinforcing negative class messages and blatantly classist phrases are used as openly (and destructively...) as racist, sexist and homophobic terms were used thirty years ago. This negative stereotyping can have devastating effects in poorer communities and as long as it continues it only helps to prolong the myth that the poor are responsible for their own impoverishment.

People who are poor/working class sometimes internalize the dominant society's beliefs and attitudes toward them, and play them out against themselves and others of their class. Internalized classism is the acceptance and justification of classism by working class and poor people. Examples include: feelings of inferiority to higher-class people; disdain or shame about traditional patterns of class in one's family and a denial of heritage; feelings of superiority to people lower on the class spectrum than oneself; hostility and blame towards other working-class or poor people; and beliefs that classist institutions are fair.

Action Against Classism has been set up to fight against all forms of classism in the UK.

"In a country well-governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of." ~ Confucius