After eight decades, Monopoly continues to be one of the highest selling board games in the world. During this time span, a wide range of editions were released to fit the specific contexts and interests of players. With an eye toward modernization, Hasbro is releasing a Cheater’s Edition which encourages deception among players. The game will be equipped with 15 special cards allowing players to steal money from the bank and avoid paying rent.
This article will debunk at least four myths perpetuated by Monopoly regarding the essence of capitalism and criminal justice: 1). “cheating” is an aberration from capitalism, 2). rich people actually go to jail, 3). jail facilities are located near poor communities, and 4). being in jail is a consequence of a person’s actions.
‘Cheating’ is the Essence of Capitalism
The creation of a Cheater’s Edition of Monopoly sends the message that the traditional version of the game does not include theft or deception. Hasbro frames ‘cheating’ as an aberration from an otherwise ethical and honest status quo. However, this line of reasoning is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of capitalism itself. The ultimate goal of capitalism – to profit – is to be achieved by any means necessary. A brief glance at the history of Western civilization lays bare a reality in which politicians are all too willing to sacrifice human lives for monetary gain. One of the most egregious examples is the Bush Administration’s instance that Iraq had Weapons of Mass Destruction; which justified the invasion, occupation, and destabilization of the region. This lie, of course, has proven lucrative for the defense industry and oil companies. Such a ghastly feat could only be accomplished through a suspension of ethics and campaign of mass deception. A demand for truth is a barrier that hinders the survival of the fittest principle for capitalists. Therefore, trickery and theft are constitutive elements of capitalism, not deviations from it. As George Carlin quipped: “if we suddenly introduced honesty into American life, the entire system would collapse!” What Hasbro imagines as “cheating” was always-already present in the economic system. It is nothing new.
Rich People Do Not Go to Jail or Prison
At the beginning of every traditional game, each player has $1,500 to buy property, pay taxes, and/or settle debts. While this amount may sound inadequate today, we must remember that the game still uses values from 1935 – so all property is relatively cheap (between $60-$400). Everyone begins rich. However, the possibility of going to jail is a barrier to one’s overall objective. When a person lands on a designated area on the board or flips a certain card, they must move their token directly to jail. Unless the player has a ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card, they are stuck for a few turns.
The first problem with this idea is that it fails to represent the relationship between capitalism and criminal justice. Our economic system is based on a battle between two groups: the small ruling class, and the masses of people that they dominate. Those at the top of the pyramid own and control all that is necessary for the survival humankind: property, resources, factories, etc. – while the multitudes of people have nothing to offer but their labor power. The differences between these groups are irreconcilable because the powerful operate with a sense of greed; while the masses operate from a sense of need.
To maintain their position, the powerful use the police and build prisons to control the masses. It is no surprise that local jails and prisons are packed with people from impoverished backgrounds. A whopping 57% of incarcerated men between 27-42 years of age had incomes less than $22,500 a year before being locked up. This percentage rises to 72% for incarcerated women. The United States has a money bail system whereby a person can pay to be released pre-trial. However, since people of color and women receive lower wages, these groups are often unable to afford bail. Consequently, defendants are forced to languish in jail because they are poor. Justice has a hefty price tag whereby a person is ‘innocent until proven guilty’ only when they can pay.
The criminal justice system exists to protect the wealthy – which is why it is rare that rich people are ever arrested or charged. A prime example is the fact that Wall Street bankers caused the financial crisis – but only one person was incarcerated. The monumental transgressions of the rich are ignored, while the crimes of the poor receive harsh punishment. Part of the reason for this differential is that our definition of ‘crime’ focuses almost exclusively on blue-collar crime: robbery, assault, vandalism, shoplifting, etc. This group of crimes is associated with the masses of people. We do not discuss the prevalence of white-collar crime: embezzlement, bribery, money laundering, fraud, insider trading, etc. These crimes are associated with people in power who have wealth and prestige. In contrast to popular belief, Edwin Sutherland argued that “the financial cost of white-collar crime is probably several times as great as the financial cost of all the crimes which are customarily regarded as the ‘crime problem’” (1939, p. 4-5). While a regular person is sentenced to prison for 5 years because he/she robbed a single store, Wall Street executives are given slaps on the wrist for robbing an entire economy.
If Hasbro is interested in modernizing the game, they would either eliminate the ‘Go to Jail’ feature in entirety; or give every player an endless supply of ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ cards.
Distance From Correctional Facilities
The third criminal justice myth perpetuated by Monopoly is the idea that jail is in proximity to impoverished communities. In the traditional game, the jail is located near some of the lowest value properties. The corrections facility is on the same side of the board as Baltic, Mediterranean, and Connecticut Avenues – meaning it is on the ‘same side of town’. However, 63% of state prisoners are locked up over 100 miles from their families. Under these conditions, maintaining family ties – which decreases recidivism – becomes harder. Traveling to and from prison is time-consuming and costly; especially for low-income individuals in the absence of public transportation. As distance from the prison increases, the likelihood of inmates receiving just one visit per month decreases drastically.
False Reasoning for Incarceration
The fourth criminal justice myth perpetuated by Monopoly is the idea that encountering law enforcement is a consequence of behaviors. As noted above, there are only two reasons a player ends up in jail: landing on the designated space, or flipping a specific card. Following this impulse, people are locked up as a direct result of their actions. While this view is common sense, it fails to grasp the relationship between blackness and law enforcement. Black people are not arrested in response to a transgression of law or custom, but because of their being. Black folks are born guilty; their existence is the violation that sets the justice system in motion. Black people need not do anything to find themselves behind bars – because their presence in an anti-black world is the biggest ‘crime’ of all.
References:
Photo Credit: Angry T-Shirts
Sutherland, Edwin. 1939. White-Collar Criminality
January 19, 2017 at 6:51 pm
Ah… you know I will never look at Monopoly the same! The name is very fitting though. And it sounds like you need to jump on creating a Black version; we can laugh and cry at the same time.
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January 19, 2017 at 7:03 pm
Lmao. Kelley, take a look at this: apparently there is/was a game called “Ghettopoly”. There are spots on the board like the “crack house” and a “chop shop” and game pieces such as a pimp, and a 40 ounce. Hilariously sad!
http://ghettopoly.myshopify.com/
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January 19, 2017 at 7:55 pm
Wow!
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January 19, 2017 at 9:53 pm
Wowww man totally mind blowing.
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January 20, 2017 at 12:29 am
That’s wassup! Thanks for reading bro!
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January 20, 2017 at 8:27 am
Never liked Monopoly. So are there any board games introduced to kids in the West that reinforce cooperation and I-win-when-you-win? Or are we all just doomed to ruthless competition, even in the recreation arena?
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January 20, 2017 at 9:19 am
Hey Amaya! Great questions! I have never played a cooperative board game – they are all about “ruthless competition”.
Sad thing is: Monopoly started with a game called Landlord – created by a woman named Elizabeth Magie in 1904. It had more of an anti-competition objective to it. But the “creator” of Monopoly stole her entire format and got it licensed in 1935 … and changed the meaning of the game. At that time, capitalism was losing legitimacy because of the Great Depression – so he felt the need to have a pro-competition game for everyone. Ms. Magie got only a few hundred bucks and died in obscurity. This is the only game I have heard of that is not ‘totally’ about competition and gives a nod to cooperation. It is sad that working together is not seen as fun – the West gains pleasure from destroying others instead of building them up.
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February 5, 2017 at 5:10 pm
The Game of Life, maybe? I Don’t remember if there’s a competitive nature involved.
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February 5, 2017 at 6:05 pm
I’ve never played it. But I just looked it up and there is a bunch of stuff about choosing careers and having salaries. So there is a linear model which is competitive
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February 6, 2017 at 1:16 pm
So I just looked up the rules of the game and almost died as I read them. If this doesn’t just scream in congruence with what you just (and always) wrote about:
“Life is a two to six player game about money. Your score is represented by the wealth your token car collects as it travels through the board, with the overall goal being to retire the wealthiest player at the end of the game.”
LMAO omg…
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February 6, 2017 at 2:09 pm
Lol!
Hey Josie – thank you for giving me shoutouts on your page, reblogging my poem, and always commenting on my work to engage me in conversation. I truly appreciate you. That stated, I just finished that piece about blacks in the military, partially, as a token of gratitude to you. Sorry – some of your concerns I could only address in passing, as the historical part was very research-intensive, and I wanted to avoid making this too long or requiring a part 2. And I didn’t want to discredit those who joined the forces – even though I hate the military, I sympathize with folks who do it, to a degree. I hope you like how it turned it, it turned out differently than I imagined! Here is the link, would love to hear your thoughts https://zoneofnonbeing.wordpress.com/2017/02/06/blacks-in-the-military-in-exchange-for-freedom/
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February 6, 2017 at 2:28 pm
omg I’m so excited!!!! 😀 Thank you for taking the time (not only to write this) but to encourage the growth of your readers by actually listening to their needs/interests. I’m so happy that my blog family has expanded with you in it as well. You’re a great addition and I appreciate being engaged as well. I’m reading this RIGHT after I email this book list to you :D.
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February 6, 2017 at 3:10 pm
😀 anytime my friend! I am happy we are connected. We have a great community here on WP!
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February 19, 2017 at 4:05 pm
I’m CTFU!
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January 20, 2017 at 11:24 am
There’s so much out there that I had no idea of. Kelley’s idea sounded amusing, until I clicked on Ghetto-opoly. Sheesh! Why does the guy look so menacing? Even ghetto-opoly is a stereotyped version of black and disenfranchised people living in impoverished areas. Everybody is not headed to the strip club or the trap house; some people who live in these areas are headed to…wait for it…work. Maybe we should work on a more accurate version and call it Monopoly: The Diverse Edition.
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January 20, 2017 at 3:28 pm
For real! Every negative stereotype of black folks under the sun is included in that game. You are right : people living in these areas are not a monolith. There are people who go to work and go to school etc.
We certainly need that Monopoly: The Diverse Edition! Great idea. It would be cool to put more positive landmarks on the board for us!
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January 20, 2017 at 3:46 pm
Right. Like pay car repairs, health insurance and buy new glasses 😐
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January 20, 2017 at 3:52 pm
Yup. Some real money is to be made off your diverse Monopoly idea! I want 10% lol 😉
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January 20, 2017 at 3:57 pm
lol
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February 5, 2017 at 5:11 pm
You trying to put this in the works too?! 🤔😅
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February 5, 2017 at 6:06 pm
Lol did you see the Ghettopoly? 😂😂😂 if they can do it, I can make one up too and make bank!
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February 6, 2017 at 1:53 pm
lmbo. I swear when I was a kid I tried making my own board game. I was researching how to sell one and I eventually started doubting myself so I let it go. Man…all the things I could have done if I just believed in myself growing up! I feel like a lot more kids are confident in taking risks these days than I was. That’s a good thing!
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February 19, 2017 at 4:08 pm
I promise if you keep having this give up attitude like life is over, I’m going to… Well I don’t know what I am going to do. But you have so much more time to accomplish whatever it is you will.
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February 19, 2017 at 4:16 pm
Lmao ok I’ll give it up. I’ll have faith 😔
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February 22, 2017 at 11:03 pm
You better!!!
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January 22, 2017 at 2:19 am
Interesting read! The “robbing a single store VS robbing the entire economy” part is a good one; makes you think.
Guess money is power. But that is the whole point in money being such a strong motivating factor for people. If the rich didn’t get treated differently, they people wouldn’t want that “rich life” too much I guess.
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January 22, 2017 at 11:14 am
You are absolutely right. I agree! Thanks for the feedback!
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January 22, 2017 at 11:01 pm
I will never look at the game of Monolopy the same. And the only thing I remembered about the game was having the pretty colors of money. lol You definitely gave Hasbro some great ideas to make the game up to the times but unfortunately, that game would be a little too real so they’ll water it down. It definitely shows how much mind manipulation goes into falling in line with capitalism from childhood and onward.
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January 23, 2017 at 11:39 am
Lol, you are right – the game would absolutely be watered down. It is crazy how we are indoctrinated in the most subtle forms like board games. Things like this make me suspicious of everything. Cartoons on Disney and Nickelodeon are filled with slick stuff, too : those in power figure they have to start manipulating us real young!
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January 23, 2017 at 7:30 pm
Yeah definitely. It’s pretty sick and yet genius.
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February 19, 2017 at 4:11 pm
Bruh you ain’t ever lied! TV and the subliminal message on it are ridiculous! Commercials are called ADVERTisments. They are meant to advert your attention away from things that truly matter!
25blackandalive.com/momma-told-me-not-to-talk-to-strangers/ I have about ten post on it but this one popped to mind.
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February 20, 2017 at 1:36 pm
Absolutely. I will check out your post in a few and give you some feedback on it!
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February 24, 2017 at 9:33 am
Yessir!
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January 23, 2017 at 4:27 am
My mind is doing somersaults. WTF! This is wild Darryl. The representation of this game is unbelievable. I never thought about the background of this game when I was younger. I was so oblivious to this but now I am not! Thank you for keep us all in informed brotha! Great content!
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January 23, 2017 at 11:36 am
Hi Alia! Lol, thanks! My family recently started doing Game Night on Saturdays and Monopoly is part of the routine. Like you, I never thought about it much as a child. But as soon as I started playing it, all sorts of red flags were going off in my head. Typical strategy to brainwash people into these problematic worldviews. Thanks for tuning in as always =D
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February 19, 2017 at 4:15 pm
You know what’s crazy. You probably brought some of your concerns to your family and close friend and they looked at you crazy. Not all of them but for the most part they probably did. It’s going to be funny a few years down the line when they come to you talking about the things you warned them about years ago.
I’m pretty sure your site is a way to get your thoughts out there. And hope that like minded or willing to learn individuals would congregate.
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February 20, 2017 at 1:35 pm
Lol – yes! My man, every once in a while I try to bring up some critical points to ponder and I get that face that says “stfu and pass the Cheetos” lol. Most people don’t really want to think – they just want to feel good and pass the time. I hope for a day when they will wake up
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February 24, 2017 at 9:33 am
Lol @ stfu and pass the Cheetos. But you’re right, most people don’t want to think. I’m hoping for the same thing. Keep putting in work though, cause some people do hear you.
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February 24, 2017 at 9:35 am
No doubt! Thanks bro!
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January 23, 2017 at 6:01 pm
Something struck me as I was reading this post – the greater the disparity between the super rich and everyone else, the more feudal our societies become. Not good. 😦
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January 23, 2017 at 6:18 pm
Great point! Definitely not good!
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January 25, 2017 at 9:13 am
THIS:
“If Hasbro is interested in modernizing the game, they would either eliminate the ‘Go to Jail’ feature in entirety; or give every player an endless supply of ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ cards.”
EXACTLY!!!!
Loved the breakdown; it is absolutely ‘on point.’
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January 25, 2017 at 10:46 am
Haha! Thanks fam! I appreciate the feedback. I like what Dr. Garlahttps://widgets.wp.com/notificationsbeta/2786186477#nd said about Monopoly needing to be updated or reclaimed to suit our needs/worldview a bit more.
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February 5, 2017 at 5:44 pm
So…here I go trying to respond from work again. 😩. First of all, loved this analysis. As Kelley said, I’ll never look at the game the same again lol.
What resonated with me the most was how the wealthy are able to avoid jail or receive lighter sentences. Or (in real life) are not impositioned financially by their sentences. How true this is…
Ironically, I just saw the movie War Dogs and at the end, learned that it was a true story! They decieved the freakin US Department of Defence and still got away with light handslaps. Look it up!
Interesting observation about the different classes operating from a sense of greed vs a sense of need. It definitely supports the varying types of crimes that take place in those classes.
I have a revision to your recommended revision to modernizing the game lol. Instead of eliminating the Go to Jail feature, they would only apply it to those who own property on the poor side of the board lol. And since our actions dont always warrant an arrest, we should just increase the number of Go to Jail cards in the Chance deck 😅.
Can you explain how maintaining family ties decreases recidivism for me? I would like to understand that better
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February 5, 2017 at 6:36 pm
Hey Josie! You STAYY on your phone at work! That’s wassup, if you’re gonna be exploited, might as well have fun! Lol
I am glad you liked this piece! My family recently started having game night on weekends and this is one of the go-to games. As soon as I started playing it I was like … rich people going to jail? Unlikely story! 😂
Nice revision to the game! Lol I feel you. This game needs a serious revision.
Great question about recidivism and family ties. Recidivism is when a person comes out of jail, re-offends, and goes right back again. We are social beings. We thrive off being connected to others; they are like a spiritual safety net. People who come out of prison have a hard time getting a job because of their record – so they need money to survive. To who will they turn to first? Their momma. Their spouse. Their sibling. But since 1996, welfare stipulates that you cannot receive public benefits if you have a felon living with you … so it divides the family. Ex felons, which tend to be black men, cannot turn to their families sometimes because it will compromise their benefits with the State. So now they are forced to turn to the illegal economy, they get jammed up, and they whind up back in prison. When they build prisons way out in the woods, over 100 miles away, family members cannot visit them. And phone calls are dumb expensive. The prisoner will likely view the lack of visits as their family not “holding them down” , and the relationships become estranged (Donell Jones had a song called “Life Goes On” about this). But it is often related to the lack of buses, money, etc. The prisoners feel they have nothing to live for, and become more daring in their actions. It’s a vicious cycle.
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February 6, 2017 at 1:45 pm
You can’t receive public benefits if you have a felon living with you?! Jesus…I didn’t know that. Do you know what logic is provided to support that decision? Considering the large number of black men with felonies, I definitely understand how big of a problem this is. And how the lack of contact with family can result in more self-inflicted damage. Geez… that makes me so sad. These are the things that I want to learn more about in our book club. I want to become more knowledgeable about systematic oppression and how it impacts our culture. Anything you know of that could help, please add to the list. Its like…I know small bits and pieces of so much but am just now learning how everything fits together into this larger cycle. If that makes sense…
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February 19, 2017 at 4:19 pm
Golly! you broke that all the way down. Even though I know what you are talking about you still add another piece to the puzzle every time.
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April 21, 2017 at 8:49 am
Hey Darryl! Long time no chat. I know I got to play catch up. I will soon. In the meantime, I wanted to let you know I featured this post on my blog
recently. I don’t know if you have an IG account or not so I couldn’t tag you that way. http://www.tunisiajolyn.com/2017/04/18/sharing-is-caring-series-pt-2/
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April 21, 2017 at 9:06 am
Hey! Sorry for getting back so late! I have been away from the blog for a min. Just started a new job and havent felt motivated to write as much. Id rather not force subpar material. And dont worry about catchup. I am behind on everyones stuff.
Thank you for sharing this. I am glad it resonated with you. It motivates me to want to keep writing when I know people are actually reading!
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April 26, 2017 at 8:03 pm
No problem! That always helps when you know people are reading and liking it too. And I totally understand about starting a new job and not being motivated to write. I am taking break right now from blogging because I am trying to learn how to balance between my blog and my job (that’s fairly new) as well as find inspiration to write. So no worries! Look forward to reading your new posts when they are published.
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