“In order to understand the brutality of American capitalism, you have to start on the plantation.”
The 1619 Project entails subjects around American slavery such as western capitalism, slave trade, and plantations. In the essay, Desmond emphasizes the wealth built in the plantations was the crux of the American economy for an extended period of time. In that, the concept of accumulating wealth in American capitalism was fostered on the slave plantation. Desmond highlights the brutality of capitalism which still persists in modern times in which the few profit while the majority suffer. Although modern capitalism encompasses free markets and fair competition, the scales were titled when wealth was amassed at the expense of human dignity.
“Today’s racial wealth gap is perhaps the most glaring legacy of American slavery and the violent economic dispossession that followed.”
In the essay, Lee connects the current economic issues with the inhuman practice of slavery that defined American history. The racial inequality in the nation extends from social, political to economic spheres thus Lee highlights the root problem. After the abolition of slavery, institutional racism became the greatest hurdle African-Americans had to deal with. The limitations and racial prejudice made it difficult for black communities to compete at the same level as their white counterparts in the job market. Therefore, the consequences of policies and laws that limited the minorities are evident in modern society through the vast wealth gap.
“It is the culture of acquiring wealth without work, growing at all costs and abusing the powerless. It is the culture that brought us the Panic of 1837, the stock-market crash of 1929 and the recession of 2008. It is the culture that has produced staggering inequality and undignified working conditions.”
Desmond argues that the recurring economic issues are as a result of an unscrupulous culture in the accumulation of wealth. Linking it back to slavery and the dynamic on the plantations, he asserts the parallels in the current economic problems in society. From wealth disparity, economic crashes to unfair working conditions, Desmond highlights the consequences of survival of the fittest in capitalism. In that, many are always at disadvantage in order for the one percent to gain profits and wealth. Therefore, the social and economic welfare of the majority is always at stake hence the economy constantly reacts to the disproportions.
