“The Constitution, then, illustrates the complexity of the American system; that it serves the interests of a wealthy elite, but also does enough for the small property owners for middle-income mechanics and farmers, to build a broad base of support. The slightly prosperous people who make up this base of support are buffers against the blacks, Indians, the very poor whites. They enable the elite to keep control with a minimum of coercion, a maximum of law-all made palatable by the fanfare of patriotism and unity.” (Zinn, 1999, p.99)
Share your thoughts on the meaning of this quote and what it says about the formation of classism and racism in the United States.