I was blessed to be born and raised on the land of the Myaamia, Kiikaapoi, Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Bodwéwadmi, and Peoria people.
This is also known as the west suburbs of Chicago.
I will always be grateful for the fact that I was able to live and grow in one home my entire childhood. Even today this home is where I lovingly store ceramics and other possessions. However, none of that would have been possible without the genocide of native people by colonizers. Our current infrastructure was originally built on stolen land by enslaved people as well as exploited immigrants. I believe it is important to recognize all of these truths.
My family would not have been able to afford our home without the help of my mom’s grandparents. My ancestors were in a position to accumulate wealth because of the way they looked and acted. A significant amount of hard work was required for my great grandfather to succeed in the way he did. Nevertheless, others worked as hard or even harder without reaping the benefits. This is the evil of capitalism.
The Evil of Capitalism
It is true that no one living now is directly responsible for the unjust treatment countless people suffered in the past. We simply benefit from or continue to suffer under the systemic oppression that remains to this day. Generational wealth and the opportunities that wealth provides is a key example of people benefitting from unjust systems.
Reparations are the answer
Native people need land back. Historically economically disenfranchised deserve interest free loans. We must sanction the most lethal polluter in the world, the US military. Many believe that our long history of aggression necessitates current and future violence. This prevailing unquestioned sense contributes to the ongoing brutality within our country. Slavery still exists inside of our prison industrial complex. The high standards of our white supremist culture instills endless self-criticism and over working in all americans. Instead of continuous violence we could begin a cycle of care. Political choices like universal basic income, free healthcare and public housing would create a social safety net we need. Great nations need policies that lifts up the millions of people without the resources to lift themselves by no fault of their own.
