Capitalism & The Toll on the Human Soul

Since it is #MentalHealthAwareness Month, I want to explore Karl Marx's theory of human alienation under capitalism. When we delve into the Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts (1844), we learn that there are at least 4 inter-related reasons people become disenchanted:...

Why You Never Really Own Your House

A pillar of the American Dream is owning a home with a lawn and picket fence. But I question the conventional belief that we ever really own our homes under capitalism. With the commodification of housing also comes a precariousness...

Rotting the Brain: Shark Tank & Undercover Boss

Two of the most dangerous shows on television are Shark Tank and Undercover Boss. These programs are mindless celebrations of capitalism - and are viewed by millions of working class people in marathon format. Shark Tank demonstrates just how backward...

There Is No Housing Shortage, Just a Lack of Compassion

"A civilization that chooses to close its eyes to its most crucial problems is a stricken civilization. A civilization that uses its principles for trickery and deceit is a dying civilization" -Aime Cesaire The true measure of a country is...

On the Narrative of Disgruntled Employees & Workplace Violence

Over the past week and a half, there were at least three fatal acts of workplace violence around the United States. A small town in Pennsylvania, Orlando, and San Francisco were all victims of a "disgruntled employee" opening fire on...

Jesus Christ Was a Revolutionary

Jesus Christ was a political figure with a radical message. Over the past two millennia, however, these teachings have been diluted to maintain systems of oppression. To rediscover the transformative power of Christ, keep these points in mind: Jesus Christ...

Kathy Griffin, Violence & Killing Poor Children of Color

Spare me the phony outrage over the Kathy Griffin photo. As she was posing for the image, the United States was carrying out airstrikes in Syria. Over the past month, America has killed 225 Syrian civilians, including 44 children. Instead...

Cinco de Mayo & the Battle Against Oppression

Cinco de Mayo is not an opportunity to make a caricature of Mexican culture. Every single year - as if on schedule - people break out their sombreros, draw on crooked mustaches, and add the letter "o" at the end...

What is Capitalism? A Beginner’s Guide

What is capitalism? Let’s begin with the premise that labor is a fundamental human activity. By working, we use our brains and/or our muscles to transform nature into useful products. So, for instance, the process of work transforms a pile...