actually the chartist movement in 1830s-40s britain is a pretty interesting example. working class folks were super into universal education and literary societies, even started their own libraries and reading rooms. they saw education as a path to political power, not just a bougie thing

kinda wild how they combined fighting for better working conditions with demands for broader access to education and culture. they were basically saying "we want bread AND books" 🐘

its like they understood that knowledge itself shouldnt be a class privilege, even if the "educated middle class" tried to act like they had a monopoly on it

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