Do YOU hate hustle culture? The idea of a 9-5? Racism? Gas prices? Rewearing underwear? 

 

If so, I’d like to introduce you to the title Marxist and why you should be one. Previously in ‘Marx is My Cousin’, I introduced you to communism, defined what it means, and discussed why it’s relevant nowadays. This topic on Marxism is in some ways similar. Today, we’ll start by outlining Marxism, strip away the gate-keeping of this academic word as people often ask, ‘what does that mean?’ 

 

A Marxist is someone who supports the works of Karl Marx. You might’ve heard the name Marx in sociology or chucked around (improperly) in anti-vaxx propaganda. If you aren’t familiar with this guy, hear it from me. Marx wrote a bunch of anti-status quo manifestos in the 19th century. He critiqued the current way of living as it was characterised by increasing divisions between the poor and rich, extending work hours, and an increasing focus on individualism. In other words, he said working be bad and we need alternatives otherwise we will continue to be poor and sad. 

 

This is where being a Marxist becomes important. The 19th century way of living adapted overtime but kept the same premises. Nowadays, we live in a similar framework to that which Marx critiqued: long hours such as the 9-5, rising living costs, the divide between rich and poor being bigger than ever. For a more concrete example, it’s becoming impossible to rent a house in Hamilton. The housing crisis means ridiculous and unaffordable housing. Families/people are forced to stay in rentals which limits available rental property. That means us students will have a difficult time finding a flat. Take it from me who went through 34 rental applications over the course of three months before landing one. If you despise the living conditions in this modern world, congratulations! You have the same values of a Marxist. 

 

Why should you care about being a Marxist? Because most things in life suck and we need to do something about it. I don’t want to work in an office for most of my life and go on holiday once a year. I don’t want to invest in stocks. I don’t want to buy into hustle culture and pump my ears with Joe Rogan, Ben Shapiro, or Jordan Peterson. I don’t want to feel alienated from myself, my body being used for labour. Because the more I think about modern working conditions, the more unnatural it seems to me. We are not made to sit in front of screens for eight hours, long commutes, and burnouts. In Marx’s time, his work incited uprisings across Europe. People wanted change, liberation from strenuous living conditions, and I believe we’re no different.

 

Be my comrade, be a Marxist.