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Book Review: It's Not You, It's Capitalism

Editor's Note: This review was originally published in Portland Book Review.


 

Malaika Jabali

Journalist and policy wonk Malaika Jabali delivers a powerful, engaging, and entertaining book about how the prevailing socioeconomic system marginalizes communities by class, race, gender, and other identities. "It’s Not You, It’s Capitalism" is an illustrated volume that breaks down the debates about hefty student debt, lack of health-care access, dark money in political campaigns, persistent labor inequalities, and other troublesome trends to explain an exploitative and extractive system. Jabali demystifies the values championed by well-known socialists, such as Bayard Rustin, W.E.B. DuBois, and the Rev. Martin Luther King, to show how racial justice movements have also been driven by the dream of achieving economic parity.

The illustrations and infographics by designer Kayla E. draw readers to meme-worthy charts and graphics. Readers will grasp the basic foundations of politics and economics. Jabali writes in generational lingo that is winsome and accessible, especially among readers who understand the meta meaning of “the math isn’t mathing” or the irony of “are you bougie or bourgeoisie?” Readers who may have been activated to explore the harms of capitalism can deepen their critique. It is the kind of book that must be shared and passed on to others who need this infusion of truth in their lives. 

 

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