The issue of income inequality in the twenty first century highlights an ongoing struggle in the United States and abroad. The United States’ poverty gap has increased, as the rich are becoming wealthier and the poor are falling behind. The reasons for such causes can be credited to the American capitalist system promoting industry, innovation, and business. However said, the issue has led to other scary realities, such as the increasing popularity of drugs, alcohol, and to the increase of violence. Similarly to the modern American capitalist system, the “Marx in Soho” skit conveys the same realities a century ago that were tied to the existing class system and division of labor between the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat classes. Furthermore, Marx considered the idea of a world wide communist revolution that would end capitalism and provide a basis for a structured society in which the state would be in control of social behavior instead of the previous class system.

The presentation was performed in front of an audience of college students not only for educational purposes but to also appeal to the youth, who according to Marx, are the ones destined to unite and trigger a revolution. This was interesting because it challenged previous opinions about equality and morals in society. In twenty first century America, the youth is finding trouble making a living and competing in the capitalist society because of issues: such as not being able to pay college debt, having high mortgages, and facing unemployment. Thinking about these issues as a young individual myself, it became evident that the ideas conveyed in Marx’s manifesto and in the skit might not be as farfetched as they were before the skit. The twenty first century is already dealing with bigger issues of concern such as terrorism, and even the threat of nuclear weapon development. Thus, from a personal perspective the idea of a worldwide revolution is not feasible or convenient for the future.

In Howard Zinn’s one-man play “Marx in Soho,” actor Bob Weick portrayed a Karl Marx brought back from the dead who analyzes the continuation of capitalism in today’s world and how that relates to his work from the nineteenth century. One of his main points was that religion is the “opiate” of the people, meaning a coping mechanism they use to take away the pain of the real world. Although Marx was an atheist, he had no problem with religion being used as a way to deal with people’s problems. Looking at countries throughout history that claimed to be “communist,” it is interesting to note that they forbade organized religion even though Marx had this view on it.
Another overarching argument the Marx in the play had was that he was not a “Marxist.” He repeatedly complained about a man named “Peeper” who asked his permission to translate Das Kapital into English. Marx’s issue with this man was that he was a dogmatic and did not understand Communism as it should be understood. For Marx to say he was not a Marxist carries significant weight because it shows how far from his true ideas self-proclaimed “communists” strayed. He was extremely worried about his writings being interpreted in the wrong way by vocal thinkers like Peeper. Marx, in the play, was horrified by what Stalin did to his own people under a “communist” regime. He claimed that Communism is not suppressive but rather wants to raise up each member of society. Marx described walking home in Soho, London, and passing beggars lying in garbage on the street, the disgust clear in his voice. Even from hearing his personal anecdotes, it is clear how wrong he believed the economic inequality of the industrial era was.
Perhaps the points Marx brought up that resonate most with a modern audience are that big money is still an issue today and that people are the root of society’s problems. Large corporations like Walmart treat their workers very poorly, maybe not straying from conditions during the industrial age. By continuing to purchase goods from stores like Walmart, the consumer “votes with his dollar,” which is more effective than voting in elections. The people, as consumers, keep capitalism going, therefore perpetuating the problematic cycle Marx wrote about.

Karl Marx saw private property as the root of power inequality, and, in his play Marx in Soho, author Howard Zinn brings this message to contemporary society. However, the play also deepens the idea of a power struggle by challenging the concept of a utopia and analyzing Marx’s own power relationships.

In the play Marx in Soho, Marx claims he staged a protest in Heaven so the powers that be would allow him to return to earth for the performance. Much of the play focuses on Marx’s personal relationships, and Marx as a character expounds upon the need for all workers to unite and change society in order to alleviate the issues that characterize a capitalist system. When viewed in the context of Marx’s belief in a historical power struggle between two economic classes, Marx in Soho raises several questions about the nature of power in human life. The play begins with the idea that even Heaven, a utopia, needs agitators to keep power in check and create space for the people’s needs. A perfect human society does not exist, so citizens must be constantly active and aware. This implies that even in a society which separates power from material wealth and creates true equality for all people, citizens must fight against potential tyrants.

Additionally, the play illustrates the power dynamics in many of Marx’s personal relationships. Marx espoused ideas of gender equality but left all childcare and home responsibilities to his wife. The play gave no practical reason for this arrangement other than Marx’s tacit acceptance of societal gender roles. Thus Marx simultaneously exercised an oppressive power over someone he loved and fought for the furtherance and eventual elimination of a larger and more visible power division. Power divisions exist in the most basic human relationships, meaning that even with the elimination of material wealth, inequality can continue, perhaps perpetuated by the very revolutionaries that eliminate other forms of oppression.

Marx’s communism seeks to eliminate inequality in society by eliminating the structures that create it, yet Marx himself exercised power over people in his life based on his status as a man, and Marx in Soho implies that no society can be beyond the possibility of tyranny. Eliminating power structures does not inherently eliminate power struggles. Ultimately, this play asks us if humans can escape their desire to accumulate power, or must maintain constant vigilance against it.

Patrick Riley, Emily Armando, Xiufan Wu, Alvin Lecomte, Max Burrows
First Year Seminar: Modernity and Its Critics
9/21/2015

Farmers Market Assignment

Through going to Farmers on the Square Market, our group was able to engage with the vendors to gain insight about how farmers impact the Carlisle community. Our group purchased lettuce mix bags from the Conklin Farms vendor, Joe Conklin, who owns and operates his farm. Conklin Farms is located in Newville, Pennsylvania and is about ten miles away from Carlisle. Conklin Farms is a certified organic farm. Conklin explained that he is able to use pesticides, but makes the choice not to spray his produce with anything. Conklin Farms uses the manure from his animals on the farm as fertilization, while he rotates his crops and land to protect his farm. Conklin Farms continues to grow during the winter to maximize production. Farmers on the Square Market and other farmers markets provide Conklin Farms with a majority of its sales, but Conklin Farms also has deals with local restaurants and businesses. Through selling at farmers markets Conklin Farms has the goal of promoting sustainable farming. Joe Conklin reiterated that he has a passion to farm because he enjoys working outside and having the ability to grow his own food. He prefers the opportunities of farming outdoors, as opposed to a corporate job. One of the best advantages Conklin finds in owning his own farm is that he is the one in charge and there is no middle man, allowing him to sell directly to the consumer. Through learning about Conklin Farms it highlights the importance of supporting local produce, as opposed to big industry marketing.
Another farm we encountered at the farmer’s market was Three Springs Fruit Farm where we bought jalapeño peppers for our dinner. We discovered that this farm is located in Wenksville, Pennsylvania which is about twenty to twenty-five miles from Carlisle. The vendors informed us that they utilize an Integrated Pest Management System. Essentially, it is a less intensive and more affordable and sustainable system for farming. The spray they use protects roots from fungal diseases that spread after it rains. These practices are very similar to those used in organic productions. At the end of our visit, the vendor from Three Springs Fruit Farm told us that he enjoys farming because he likes the idea of continuing to grow U.S. products and wants to maintain family farming.
The last vendor we interviewed and purchased tomatoes from was Esh’s Homegrown Produce. Esh’s Homegrown produce is located in Newburg, Pennsylvania and is twenty miles away from Carlisle. This vendor informed us that all the vendors that sell at Farmers on the Square Market are all located within fifty miles of Carlisle. This vendor related to us that he continues to sell at this farmers market because it remains a good place to do his job and sell his produce and it gives the back to community by selling fresh produce. Lastly, Esh’s Homegrown Produces’ vendor informed us their typical buyers are local customers who want to buy produce directly from the farm. By talking with multiple vendors and seeing people from town supporting local farms, it illustrated how significant this opportunity was to gain a real world experience and learn through the perspectives of the farmers.

We started out at the Piney Mountain Orchard stand, where we bought some fresh cherry tomatoes. The people there told us that the farm where they grow the produce is located in Adams City, about twelve miles south of Carlisle. They arrived at the farmer’s market around one to two o’clock p.m. with the produce that they picked the day before and the morning of the market. The orchard uses compost and organic fertilizer and is certified naturally grown. When asked about the family’s history with farming, the woman at the stand said her parents were not farmers. At Piney Mountain, the farmers experiment with different produce and grow what they enjoy growing. There are varied difficulties when it comes to the crops, with garlic being the easiest to grow. Some freshmen from Dickinson even helped plant produce at the orchard.

Jess works at Three Springs Fruit Farm as a secretary in the office, but she goes to two markets every two weeks. This week’s, in Carlisle is the closest to the farm. Though they sell a variety of vegetables, fruit and juices they have a beautiful display of apples. From the well known honey-crisp to gala apples, she says their fruit sells best. The farm itself is a Pennsylvania farm of gardens and is owned by her boyfriends family. She says she’s happy to be involved with it. She enjoys working the stands, and describes diverse marketers: college students, families and retirees. This was exemplified in a couple we met at the next stand over as we waited in line. After overhearing that we needed beef, they (only half-kidding) suggest we purchase rabbit instead. They come to the market every week, as they live within walking distance. Retired now, they feed themselves for the week off of what they purchase at the farmers market.

We ended our journey to the farmers market with Addiction Salsa. The women working the stand told us that she has been making salsa for her family for over twenty-five years. However she has only started selling her salsa at the market for the past four years. The women who started Addiction Salsa explained how she goes to another farmer in order to get her tomatoes. Unlike the other farmers we talked to the women and she could not guarantee that her salsa would be organic. She told us that she perfected her method of making salsa (after twenty-five years) and only uses a specific kind of tomato. There were free samples of salsa being passed and after tasting them we are sure that Addiction Salsa makes some of the best salsa in all of Carlisle.