This
week we were asked to watch the following video on wealth inequality in
the United States after we had Melvin Leiman (a Marxist economist) talk
to our class about capitalism, racism, and resource distribution. Here
are links to both the video and to Melvin's book (I also encourage
people to read some of Karl Marx's original work)
Here is my response:
This
video was incredibly frightening. Its one thing to hear statistics about
wealth inequality but to see the graphics is horrifying especially when
you know that wealth inequality isnt just a theory- we're talking about
lives and people who are living these numbers as reality (ourselves
fully included). I definitely found it shocking to see the extent of the
wealth disparity in the states. I think it was perfect that we watched
this video after talking to Mel and perhaps thinking a bit more
critically about capitalism. So often when I criticize capitalism people
look at me like I have 6 heads or like Im unAmerican but maybe people
can begin to link the capitalist system with this wealth disparity we're
seeing. I believe that capitalism will always result in a concentration
of wealth... and for those who believe in the "trickle down effect" I
would challenge them to watch this video because obviously this
neoliberalist system is not working. I liked that the video (although
only briefly talked about the dreaded socialism. Its has become such a
damned word in our society - but why wouldnt we support a system that
allows all to prosper? I struggle with the fact that so often we support
and defend our own oppression.
I
think what I find overwhelming is the question of: how do we change the
system? How do we start over? The system has been so carefully crafted
to keep itself in place... how do we tear that all down?
I
really appreciated Mel talking about how racism plays into upholding
the current system. What he said is true... divide and conquer is
probably one of the most used tactics. If people are divided by race,
class, and gender we dont give ourselves the opportunity to unite and
realize that that the power of the people is much stronger than the
people in power.
This
ties in nicely with what we've learned about creating human rights
communities. A huge part of that is discussing and talking about our
experiences across all of these barriers. I think that if we can begin
to try to understand each other we can foster an environment where we can
unite despite all of these arbitrary barriers... and perhaps turn the
system upside down.
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