25-year old me would think that 45-year old me is ballin. 45-year old me thinks that I work too hard not to be. Both of us are pissed off. Somehow, the steady rise of my income is far outmatched by the upward sprint of the cost of living, and after having spent most of my life in countries with socialized healthcare and bigger budgets for education and art than weaponry, American economics are deeply dissatisfying.
So this book, which explains the racist, classist underpinnings of many of America’s financial policies and provides reasonable socialist alternatives, came along at exactly the right time. It’s a great primer on what was, what is and what could be in American finance. Jabali kneads together history, politics, economics and current affairs in just the right amounts to educate readers without overwhelming us with stats or manifesto. The result is a really hopeful, comprehensive overview of how capitalism doesn’t work in the USA, how socialism could, and why we should consider it.
It’s also really funny. Artist Kayla E has provided some whimsical line illustrations and infographics playing off the relationship motif in the book’s title to go along with the light, tongue in cheek tone a lot of the trickier explanations use. Facts and future-building are presented seriously, but for the practical examples and historical commentary? This book got jokes. Leftists, socialists and progressives in the US have gained a well-deserved reputation for being didactic grumps. It’s nice to see something like this that doesn’t take anything but the stats too seriously. The humor is also very Black American millennial woman, and you know I’m always here for writing that uses an #ownnormal lens to educate the masses.
The only thing missing here is maybe an explanation of how and why failed socialist governments aren’t a good way of understanding potential applications of socialism in the USA. That trips a lot of people up and always needs to be addressed. Also, the author grew up in the Republic of New Afrika movement, and while she does mention it and use is as a case study for some of her larger propositions, I wanted to know more about the actually community experience, too. Maybe another book is on the horizon?
I finished this book just before seeing the Boots Riley’s I Love Boosters. Fittingly, it makes a great companion reader to the film, and if you liked one, you’ll probably enjoy the other.
Worker’s rights to It’s Not You, It’s Capitalism.
(Fellow readers, I am fully aware of the irony of doing a quick plug for an online bookshop at the end of a review of a book on anti-capitalism. At least I chose the most ethical means of new book consumption? Anything you buy there does go straight back into keeping this site up and slowly lessening the amount of annoying ads I let the WordPress microdeities run in lieu of self-financing, which I can’t really afford, tbqc. But it’s also fine if you cannot or do not buy a book. Go to your local library instead! I don’t care, as long as you read something good! Peace!)
Equal Opportunity Reader 