capitalism

The conversation went something like this:

Some convoluted discussion about, human nature and socialism…

Kampire: Yeah, but the thing with “the system” is…

T: Wait, what do you mean by “the system”? What are we talking about here, are we talking about the government?

Kampire:… you don’t know what I mean, by “the system”? I don’t mean to be rude but I hang out with a lot of dirty Commies [laughter] so it’s been a while since I’ve had to explain this. “The system” is the capitalist patriarchal system that suppresses and co-opts minorities through a belief system that stretches back as far as history does and is wide enough to encompass our attitudes about immigration, sexuality, religion, education, etc, etc. The system means that you and I live in a completely different world because you are white and male.

As we all know, we're drawing to a close on National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the endless parade of pink pens, pink stuffed animals, pink socks, pink cookies, pink product packaging, and pink cereal boxes. Every pink beribboned box and ad promises that "a portion" of the cost of its purchase will go "breast cancer reasearch" or the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

I, for one, am offended. Breast cancer, a very real and very present killer, has become a marketing ploy. Women care about breast cancer, and women shop; therefore women will buy more if they see a "breast cancer aware" product, right? And now everything sports that omnipresent pink ribbon. Pastel pink, the color of baby girls and patronism and forced femininity. I love pink, but seriously. A major serious women's cause deserves something more than cute or pretty.