Anti-capitalism, for me, is not just a moral stance. Neither is it just a political flex or a purely academic pursuit. It is the recognition that my life and my value system is tied irrevocably to this economic system that's just plain toxic.
And while I don't have the ability or inclination to renounce wealth and lead a total treehugger lifestyle boycotting all kinds of capitalistic influences in my life, I can at least examine my preferences and correct my prejudices through this lens.
Here are 10 things I have slowly been learning from all the theory I've been injesting:
1. Not to place the sole responsibility for poverty on the poor. It isn't just laziness, bad habits or lack of financial knowledge that's keeping them poor. Poverty and inequality are inherent to capitalism.
2. And similarly, not to attribute billionaire capitalists success to their individual achievements but acknowledge that it is because of market monopolization, killing competition, exploiting workers and controlling the government.
3. Not to determine someone's worth or ability based on the size of the paycheck they bring back home. Jobs that don't contribute to the growth of capital of oligarchs are not paid well. Teachers, social workers, nurses, etc shouldn't have to work one or two additional jobs just to make ends meet.
4. To recognize that obsessions with the new gadgets, latest models, fast fashion, etc only point to how entrenched we are in the system and to actively resist this pull. Capitalism thrives on excess materialism and hyper consumerism.
5. Resist the widespread idea that if we are good at something, we need to monetize it. All those who write well don't have to publish a book, all crafting hobbies don't have to lead to etsy stores, social media accounts don't have to lead to sponsors and free products.
6. Remember that in a capitalist society, domestic work and child care will always be undervalued and unpaid. Be it for housewives or for domestic workers.
7. Fight the urge to contribute more than necessary to someone else's capital. If we are employed by someone else, then by working more than the expected 40 hours a week, we are only allowing ourselves to be exploited. A job is, afterall, just a job.
8. Accept that capitalism thrives on racial, sexist, caste-based discrimination and feeds on inequality.
9. Understand that it's not prisoners that need reform as much as the criminal justice system that's supporting the hugely lucrative prison industrial complex.
10. Believe that in a country with excessive wealth, every citizen deserves to have basic education, food, healthcare and housing. Not only those that contribute to capital growth.
I recognize the irony of posting this on a platform that feeds the very capitalists I am raging against. There's always the ever-consuming question of whether I am using the platform or if the platform is using me. For now, I console myself with the excuse that I don't depend on this platform for social connectivity. If I get away from it, the only thing I will miss is the sound of my own voice.