Burning The Capitalist Veil

Since we’re nearing the end of the quarter, I think it’s right to assume that we have adequately acknowledged the capitalist veil obscuring the perception of many and inducing a false consciousness in our society. Maybe some of us have lifted the veil momentarily, only to realize that what lies beyond is uncomfortable and the dissonance is too much to bear. Many more of us have cut eye-holes in this veil that allow us to see the reality of our world, but still exist somewhere between the seems of what we’re told to believe and what we can’t deny. And I’m sure there are a few that have torn this veil to shreds and thrown it into the fire with hopes that the flame will spread unconfined. I can assure you that awakening to the capitalist facade changes you from the inside out with a burning passion that––once again––cannot be contained. The immediate reaction when the inner-flame begins to burn is not pleasant because it’s obviously very hot––that shit hurts! This can cause us to react emotionally anywhere on the spectrum from anger, fear, depression, sadness, etc. Emotions like this can create violent tendencies, which would be counterproductive and fail to promote any change whatsoever. The burning desire within you is not a violent one, because the capitalist structure that subsequently created this inner-aspiration to bring change to our world is indeed itself a fear driven and violent system.

So if the change you wish to bring to our world is in opposition to the current system, it must be that the fire inside of you consists of peace and love (yeah yeah yeah call me a hippy). Capitalism is then the water that is used to subdue the flames, and although there are times when everything might seem to be extinguished, lightning can strike anywhere and reignite the fire when you least expect it. As Gandhi would say, “Be the change that you want to see in the world.” We all have the ability to be that strike of lightning that one day might create a wildfire. Even though some might deem the fire destructive, while many more might not even be able to see it, I can assure you that they can still smell the smoke behind the veil.