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Chavs
Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class | Owen Jones
In modern Britain, the working class has become an object of fear and ridicule. From Little Britains Vicky Pollard to the demonization of Jade Goody, media and politicians alike dismiss as feckless, criminalized and ignorant a vast, underprivileged swathe of society whose members have become stereotyped by one, hate-filled word: chavs. In this acclaimed investigation, Owen Jones explores how the working class has gone from salt of the earth to scum of the earth. Exposing the ignorance and prejudice at the heart of the chav caricature, he portrays a far more complex reality. The chav stereotype, he argues, is used by governments as a convenient figleaf to avoid genuine engagement with social and economic problems and to justify widening inequality. Based on a wealth of original research, Chavs is a damning indictment of the media and political establishment and an illuminating, disturbing portrait of inequality and class hatred in modern Britain. This updated edition includes a new chapter exploring the causes and consequences of the UK riots in the summer of 2011.
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Nicos
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Pickpick

Essential reading to help correct the nonsense spouted by mainstream media and those with power.

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Connster
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100 books this year (so far!) 🥳🎉🥂👌🏼

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🙌🏻📚🙌🏻 4y
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Weaponxgirl
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Pickpick

#readjanuary #atopicyoudliketoknowmoreabout I read this last year and I found this illuminating. It put into words a lot of discomfort I've felt but been unable to articulate. Like the time a friend told me I'm not really working class anymore I'm much more middle class because of my taste in books and culture. I'm always interested in books on social issues and would really highly recommend this one

Moray_Reads I'd like to read this, I'm sure it has some bearing on Brexit etc. Class is so difficult, my parents are solidly working class, many would say I'm middle class (rare books librarian, two degrees...) but I'll always feel working class and frustrated and angry by the way their political force is misinformed and manipulated 8y
Weaponxgirl @Moray_Reads yes and yes, some of the things it spoke about were so on 8y
Weaponxgirl @Moray_Reads point about brexit! I realised why from this book that I got so offended when people told me I was middle class as a compliment too. Firstly I'm in the care industry so my wage really doesn't reflect a middle class living and secondly there's been this whole movement of working your way up from the working class rather than pulling conditions for working class people up as a whole. 8y
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Weaponxgirl @Moray_Reads I could talk for a very long time about things discussed in this book and I would love to do that with you when you get around to reading it. 8y
Moray_Reads @Weaponxgirl right! All of that "working-class girl made good" nonsense. It's no wonder we're still talking about class divides 8y
Weaponxgirl @Moray_Reads yes! Oh I'm sorry am I not fitting your stereotype of the working class and therefore you have to change my identity to make you feel comfortable. I get the double whammy in of not having gone to uni but daring to talk about subjects I shouldn't know about 😏 8y
Weaponxgirl @Moray_Reads the thing that has been most disturbing to me has been this idea of being a liberal is sneered at by all working class people. It's scary and not cool to twist people's identity just because of where they grew up. Honestly I'd love to discuss this so much more with you! 8y
Moray_Reads @Weaponxgirl "shouldn't", that's ridiculous and precisely what causes the problem of working-class disengagement! I've reserved the book at my library but it may be a while before it comes in, I'll be sure to let you know so that we can express all the anger I just know is going to come out ? 8y
Weaponxgirl @Moray_Reads I need to get ready for work though 😭 8y
Moray_Reads @Weaponxgirl ouch, night shift? I felt hard done by just having to do 4 hours this morning! 8y
Weaponxgirl @Moray_Reads yup, 11 hour shift. Luckily I do love this job and if it's quiet I get to read for a few hours 😀 8y
Moray_Reads @Weaponxgirl a job that something's allows for reading is never a bad thing, I hope it's a quiet, uneventful shift for you 8y
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lorelei_11
Pickpick

Disturbingly clear view into the take down of ordinary people in Britain by the wealthy elite now flooding our politics.
Left me wishing I was "only" paranoid about obvious corruption and snide legal manipulations to increase the inequality gap. A must read for those who still maintain the tories are doing Britain any good!

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arlenefinnigan
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#OneWordTitles #photoadaynov16
Not a very nice word at that.

Kimzey I had to look it up. You are expanding my education! 😊 8y
arlenefinnigan @Kimzey hehehehe. A very British thing! 8y
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