Since the emergence of Donald Trump as a dominant political figure in U.S. capitalist politics, the narrative coming out of the liberal bourgeoisie has been to criticize the lack of analytical capabilities coming from Trump supporters. For several years now, there has been a consistent focus around the lack of intellectual foundation contained within the thinking of anyone who supports Trump’s and the Republican Party’s thoughts and actions. And, without question, there is overwhelming evidence to support this critique. Even surface level students of history can see clearly the lack of truth coming from Trump supporters with their superficial and . . .
Capitalist Dystopia
Culture Wars and The Lessons We Still Aren’t Learning
Most recently, Hood Communist editor Salifu Mack sat down with Kali Akuno for an interview discussing his longtime and current movement work. During the interview, Kali talked about his days in the early ‘90s attempting to get organic African based revolutionary broadcasting networks set up. The reason? Kali noted that at that particular time there was an emerging organized right-wing formation on broadcast radio. “…it became very clear to me by 1990 that ‘the right’ was on that. I’d be going to some of these training [sessions] and I’d be right next to skinheads and clan members and all these . . .
The Earth Remembers What We Did, Let’s Move to Address the Wrongs
Higher rates of drought, deforestation, unpredictable rainfall and more dangerous storms are among the stark indicators of a strained ecosystem. In Nigeria, people are generally aware of the recent rain seasons being too ‘early’ or the cold harmattan winds unusually blowing long into the first three months of the year. When we consider the UN sustainable goals (SDGs), the Paris Climate Accords, or the Kyoto Protocols, it is clear to see that there is more effort to cater to capitalist interests as opposed to holding environmentally destructive corporations responsible for their actions. Consider that the highest polluters like the multinational . . .
Only Socialism Will Save Our Planet
Two important characteristics of socialism point to why it is the only process that will avert the march to environmental and human destruction that we are currently on. First, socialism is a system where people contribute based on their ability and receive based on their labor. Second, socialism eliminates the type of private ownership that allows individuals to own and control massive amounts of wealth. The first characteristic means that people across the planet will stop engaging in the crass consumerism that is particularly rampant in the most developed countries and amongst the most privileged in less developed countries. Today, . . .
I’m Sick of the Oscars, Will Smith, and Chris Rock
As usual, the blatant hypocrisy of the capitalist system is so sickening it turns my stomach. And, it should turn yours also. Just to be clear, I don’t care one bit about Will Smith, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett-Smith, the Oscars, the U.S. government, capitalism, any of it. I’m sick of the people claiming that Will Smith was defending African women. If you really think a stupid, spontaneous, and emotionally generated reaction (if it was even authentic) is a strong example of defending African women than that goes a long way in explaining why African women are never defended in the . . .
Imperialism and the Weaponization of Empathy
Empathy’s endurance among us says that a better and more just way of living is possible despite our current conditions and that the (re)building of that way of living is within our capacity. However, empathy, like almost every aspect of the psyche when we are disorganized and unconscious, can be weaponized and manipulated by that same genocidal global system. We are witnessing this today on a grand scale. . . .
Could this be a Russiagate Checkmate?
Well, it only took six years. Six years for the Democratic Party to weaponize Russiagate into not just a way to blame and shame Black voters for the spectacular loss that Hillary Clinton suffered against The-Candidate-Who-Couldn’t-Have-Ever-Won-If-Hillary-Had-Actually-Campaigned-Like-She-Wanted-to-Earn-People’s-Votes-Instead-Of-Thinking-She-Was- Entitled-To-Them: Donald Trump. Six years of US corporate media mouthpieces telling Americans that Hillary lost because Black voters were duped by Rainbow Bernie Bikini posts, shoe ads, and “Like if You Love Jesus” posts that convinced them to either not vote, or to vote for Trump. Four years of “Look What You Blacks Did In Not Helping Elect Hillary” – having Black women on . . .
“Escaping” Capitalism Through Entrepreneurship
Recommendations to create one’s own business have been the go-to when discussing the exhausting and debilitating experiences of capitalism. For those who work in exploitative environments, there is the ongoing cycle of working under harmful conditions that are detrimental to their well-being and survival. In awareness of this many seek resolution in entrepreneurship, assuming that they will be free from the effects of capitalism. Despite the invasiveness of capitalism in every aspect of one’s life, viewing entrepreneurship as a means of escape can result in the cycle of exploitation for marginalized groups. Exploitation is a part of capitalism’s framework, garnering . . .