Sorry, Kid; The World Sucks

When reflecting on the ways in which consumerism and colonialism intertwine, I’ve come to understand that the impact runs deeper than I initially realized. It’s not just about economic dominance or cultural change on the surface — it’s about how entire identities are separated from their roots and faith in the system is built through manufactured prestige. For example, expensive cultural events or products that are out of reach for many people serve a dual purpose: they commodify heritage while making the consumer feel connected to a system that doesn’t necessarily serve their best interests. This creates a complex psychological attachment that reinforces the status quo and makes it difficult to recognize the underlying harm. I remember attending a discussion around how popular media, like certain musicals that attempt to tell black history narratives, can sometimes unintentionally whitewash the brutal realities of slavery and colonization. This form of storytelling, while important for visibility, often gets co-opted by mainstream systems that soften or sanitize the historical trauma, dulling the urgency to confront the true injustices. Coming to terms with these uncomfortable truths has been a process. What helped me is focusing on raising awareness among my community and encouraging critical thinking around what we consume, culturally and materially. By understanding the mechanisms by which cultural genocide is perpetuated—such as the replacement of deep-rooted identity with consumerist values—we can begin to support genuine preservation of culture and resist indoctrination. Ultimately, the reality is tough, but acknowledging it is the first crucial step. It’s important not to become passive participants in a system that benefits from cultural erasure but instead strive to foster awareness and real change at every level.