On Capitalism
The argument
against capitalism is sharpening. It is
no longer simply a matter of growing inequality, but of the direct connection
people are making between the rich getting richer causing the poor to get
poorer. In other words, conspicuous
wealth and luxury products are not just a reminder that some have more than
others, but are seen as actively contributing to those with less ending up with
even less. The Atlantic just explored
the evolution of the term “late capitalism,” which has now come to shine a
light on how today’s material excesses are built on the backs of widening
inequity. Closer to home, properties in
Point Breeze built by controversial real estate developer Ori Feibush were
recently torched, allegedly an intentional act of arson borne of a frustration
that new development is gentrifying that historic neighborhood.
These are
highly sensitive issues with multiple layers of nuances and triggers. I can empathize with the deep-seated anger of
some towards the role capitalism has played in defrauding, exploiting, and debilitating
communities. I can also empathize with
the exasperation of others over the self-destructive and misinformed behavior
of some protestors. I remain a staunch
believer in capitalism, its role in elevating literally billions of people out
of poverty, and its ability to do the greatest good in a world that sorely
needs it. But I am sobered to the ways
that capitalism can go awry, to the detriment and destruction of individuals
and households and communities.
One thing I
hope everyone can agree on, even if we don’t all understand or appreciate the
real-world implications of this, is that we’re all in this together and we’re
all inter-connected. We may have starkly
different opinions on what are the right solutions, and maybe even on defining the
fundamental problems and describing the desired outcomes. But surely we get that actions have
consequences (both intended and unintended), and that everyone matters (and
therefore deserves a seat at the table and an acknowledgement of humanity and
worth). Maybe this is a lost or naïve hope,
but I hold it nonetheless, that the capitalists will be able to understand
where things can and have go wrong, and that the anti-capitalists will be able
to understand how important it is to not throw out the good with the bad.
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