Capitalism Will Find a Way

When it uses what you love

Ok, I’m a little out of my depth this time. I’m not an economist or political theorist. But, this is really just an exploration and some processing based on a DM convo I was a part of this week. The topic of the Sounders Bruce Lee kit came up. Some of the members of the chat, myself included, aren’t buying the kit because of the sponsor. Providence is a health care provider I believe has all the worst intentions to live out religious beliefs through the vehicle of an essential service. Also, they rip off poor people. I can’t support that. Some of the members of the chat might buy the kit. It’s a ten year deal and the way they show love and support for their main club is through wearing the kit. And honestly, I get it.

If you choose to support the Sounders that way, go ahead. As my oldest child would tell you, there is no ethical consumption in a capitalist society. And while this is true, and I agree, this is also how capitalism will always find a way. It’s conflicting! And it’s on purpose. And what can I do?

A soccer club is a very personal thing for a lot of people. It’s a piece of who they are. It defines them to an extent. Some people just watch the game, but others live through it. It provides a community of allies and support for when people need it most. The whole rest of a terrible week can be completely forgotten, because on gameday all their friends are there with them, united for a single cause. The togetherness and unity in a lot of ways helps me understand why people enjoy church so much.

And for a club to compete, and to keep the community thriving, it takes money. Well spent money no doubt, but money is essential. Anyone that has watched Welcome to Wrexham or Sunderland ‘Til I Die can understand this concept.

I’m currently caught in this dilemma with the club that owns my heart and mind: Manchester United. They are, for all intents and purposes, for sale. And the two bids that have come forward to purchase the club are from a billionaire Qatari son of a former Prime Minister, and a British oil billionaire and Brexit supporter. I’ve ached for more than a decade for United to get rid of their trash owners. The Glazers have bled United dry and are cashing out when there is next to nothing left. We finally have a manager capable of the task. But as this past transfer window showed, if United doesn’t get an owner with billions to spend on players, staff, and most importantly infrastructure (I’ve visited the crumbling Theater of Dreams, and let me tell you, the Lego model in my basement is more sturdy), they could well become the next Wrexham or Sunderland.

It really shouldn’t be much of a choice for me. I should value life over sport. But sport gives us life. It keeps people going. My team just completed a 3-0 victory over Leicester, and I stood up and cheered multiple times. By myself. In my living room. But I felt connected. I felt pure joy! I don’t want to give that up. I shouldn’t have to give that up. Should I?

And here’s an adjacent topic to further compound the issue: I am not conflicted at all about telling the New York Times they can get lost. They will get none of my money. The biased agenda they have against transgender people is sickening and disgusting. They are a major news source with a clear bias against some of our most vulnerable people. As a school administrator, I can tell you from my own experience with transgender students, they need all of our support, and what the NY Times is doing is influencing people to engage in the worst “I’m just asking questions” type of behaviors resulting in the worst outcomes. If you’ve been keeping track of the latest news, girls in school, queer students, and students in general are in a bad place right now in terms of mental health and sexual assault. The New York Times are compounding that by giving air time to the worst takes on the most vulnerable students. I am not conflicted about this take. At all.

Ok y’all, that’s all I have for now. Not the most satisfying of topics or endings. But like I said I’m exploring and processing. I hope you have a great day/weekend/week/month/arbitrary measure of time. I’ll be back when I’m back.