Socialism for Millennials?
Recently, United States’ millennials were reported by The Press Enterprise to favor socialism over capitalism. (Editorial, For millennials, communism is cool. The Press Enterprise. November 15, 2017.) A survey, answered by millennials across the United States, reported over 44 percent favoring a socialist country, while 42 percent preferred a capitalist country. As a millennial, I do not find the survey results to be startling. I would like to present the case of racial integration, and the dilution of racial prejudice, being some of the few reasons millennials prefer socialism.
Capitalism was established in the 16th century. During this time, there was a “race war” between many Europeans nations, such as, England, Spain, Portugal, France, and many other countries. The idea of this war was to determine a new economic superpower under the new foundation of capitalism. I won’t tell you the victor of this war but, I will tell you this, you’re currently reading their language. Just as capitalism enforces excessive labor today, the economic system had a strong desire for physical labor in the 16th century. The 17th century manifested Europeans to violently extract African people from the continent of Africa. From this point, Africans and Native Americans were used as slaves by European slaveholders to build their new American territory and economic capacity.
Capitalism was build off the backs of slaves. Their is no other depiction to explain the truth. Africans and Native Americans were physically and mentally abused by the manipulative powers of white Europeans for 2 to 3 hundred years. Capitalism was undeniably founded off of racism. The word racism is defined by systematic control of one race of people over another. Racism persisted the current economic system we endure in the United States today, which is capitalism. This reason may sum up why a higher percentage of white children inherit more wealth from family elders than Black kids; because the system in itself was and is based off the manipulation of the African race. Racism, and its acceptance by white men, women, and children, was formed to treat Africans as property, and necessary to sustain their economy for the first 300 years of capitalism. So to this point, why would millennials prefer socialism over capitalism?
In the age of information, millennials have the ability to enhance independent research. Young adults are quickly aware, more than ever, to recognize the foundation of capitalism, and its abuse on African slaves. Although, most history classes in America present tainted lectures over the mishaps of Europeans towards Africans, majority of today’s students and young adults are able to critique racism and capitalism for themselves through smartphones, laptops, or other electronic devices. With critical research, one would identify the roots of capitalism, racism and competition. These are two qualities that may be misunderstood by millennials due to their subversive lifestyles. Racial integration, today, is at an all-time high, and with majority of Americans suffering from economic debt and corporate abuse, I do not believe millennials are interested in competition or racism at this point in time.
People age 40 and under may prefer socialism because they no longer desire the use of racial suppression over minority races. The majority of the white millennials may not prefer a system of racial competition, and labor abuse using the Black population. Socialism is misunderstood to be communism, and stem evil principals, like government control and abuse. This may or may not be true. As an American, I would not feel comfortable making a decisive opinion on socialism or communism. Americans lacking personal experience outside the states should not conceive a decisive opinion on those regimes, either. According the Webster dictionary, socialism is defined as “a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.”
By definition, this economic and political system stems principles granting local constituents control of production, resources, and exchanges. Socialism does not entail racial abuse for economic gain. Instead, it entails community solitary and cooperation. The community or local jurisdiction must decide amongst themselves the policies and guidelines applicable to their comfort of living. Capitalism suggest economic principles to be determined by a representative democracy, or a select few, to determine the outsource of resources, production, and exchanges. Perhaps young white millennials would rather work together with black neighbors to formulate an economic system within their community. Perhaps the integrated couple with multiple black and white mixed children no longer desire racial segregation. I could be wrong, but one fact I must confess, millennials do not currently manage or administrate today’s capitalism. The U.S. government is flooded with white baby-boomers raised by Jim Crow privileged parents, who were more than comfortable with an economic and political system suppressing Black Americans.
oltonpolicy 