Capitalist Realism & My Old Navy Malcolm X Shirt

In this week’s episode of Park Bench Ontology, we dive headfirst into capitalist realism—the idea that capitalism is the only system that feels “real” and inevitable—and what it means when our identities, style, and culture are co-opted by the market. I share my own bizarre experience buying an Old Navy Malcolm X shirt, and why it made me rethink how we consume revolutionary imagery while participating in the very system it critiqued.

We talk symbolic violence, brand culture, and the absurdity of resistance in a consumerist world—and I unpack how capitalism doesn’t just sell products, it sells identity.

🔑 Topics covered:

• Capitalist realism and cultural inevitability
• Consumerism vs. authenticity
• The commercialization of revolutionary symbols
• Existential dread in everyday capitalism
• 
  

If you’ve ever wondered why your rebellion looks suspiciously like a mall display, this episode is for you.

Listen & Subscribe: https://pod.link/uncolonized

Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOStPFwaNyn895S43bUk9HoaZdFEIXlQc

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