It's Been a Minute

How 'Capitalism' became a dirty word


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Is it a bad thing to be a "capitalist?" Why is the word being used as a diss?

And how do Americans' shifting attitudes towards it show up in your discourse and your favorite movies?

This is… The ABCs of the Culture Wars. For the next few weeks, Brittany breaks down the history, subtext, and evolving meanings of the buzzwords you hear all over the news and social media. Today we're talking about the C-word: Capitalism. And why the word is increasingly divisive in politics and culture.

Brittany is joined by NPR political correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben and writer & editor Morgan Jerkins.

(0:00) How pop culture got obsessed with eating the rich
(3:11) When did anti-capitalist rhetoric enter our politics?
(7:05) Why the rich started looking more evil...
(12:46) From 'Clueless' millionaires to bumbling billionaires...
(17:26) How anti-capitalism is showing up in American politics now

Follow Brittany Luse on Instagram: @bmluse

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