Bananas and Marxism

You may wonder about the connection between bananas and Marxism. I admit the association between the two may seem arbitrary at best, and down right crazy at worst. Not only that, but did you know bananas could tell time? At this point, most of you think, the author has lost it, must be COVID fatigue or pandemic burnout.

While I do have COVID fatigue and pandemic burnout, I assure you I haven't lost it. I am of sound mind, but let's circle back (prominent phrase these days) to my unlikely timekeepers, the bananas. I have to take you back roughly 40-45 years, in a galaxy far-far away what is known today as Eastern Europe. The little entity in the smack middle of the continent was once labeled as the happiest barrack in the camp. The oppressive nature of the regime didn't register in my mind as a child growing up, but by the time I entered the 8th grade, it was clear as day, I had to think twice what I was about to say. Sometimes, actually more often than not, I didn't think twice. My words were free flowing, but that's for another story. Where was I? Yes, bananas as timekeepers.

As I said, 40-45 years ago, in the place where I grew up we knew about bananas. We knew that this exotic fruit is inviting and sinful. We knew it grew on palm trees in sunny, warm countries. We also knew how it looked like, but despite all of our knowledge, we never tasted one. Bananas were for the bourgeoisie, the capitalist exploiters. Bananas were not meant for the proletariat, the common worker. Our longing has become stronger for this forbidden fruit (even Eve had easy access to the apple or pomegranate; the jury is still out on this) until a miracle happened. Rumors were spreading through the city, the one and only yellow object of our desires have miraculously appeared on the streets. The timing was very auspicious, it was December a week or two before Xmas.

Naturally I had to investigate. I told my mom, I was going on a mission to secure this bourgeois decadence, whatever it took. Here I was, dashing off into the cold , following the rumors and lo and behold I found it!!!! My quest took me to downtown, and as I got off the subway I already noticed the swelling crowd. Like ants running after pheromones, we bolted to the street where we saw the cartons full of bananas. Like a fly to the light, I gravitated towards my prize, but I realized, I might not achieve my objective. The line reminded me of a moving snake, wrapping around block and blocks. The wind picked up, and I smelled the promise of snow. I spent over 2 hours in the line, when I got to the stand, I was told that I can only take half a kilo of bananas (roughly 3 pieces). I grabbed my prize as quickly as I could, I beamed with pride, I did it.

After Xmas, the bananas rescinded themselves into our beautiful memories, at times we thought it might have only been a dream. A year went by, and December brought our little yellow, bent, sweet delights back. When the bananas reappeared, we knew Xmas was not far behind, that's how they became timekeepers. Now you are wondering, what on earth this has to do with Marxism? Well, it has everything to do with it. I grew up under a Marxist regime where we did have food (remember, happiest barrack in the camp?), and perceived security but those little sweet, yellow bananas taught me, that we were fooled. Looking back, our lives reminded me being in the Matrix.

Sadly, Marxism and socialism has become the in thing, especially in the West. It is idealized by a whole new generation who has absolutely no idea how destructive this ideology is. The pandemic hasn't helped either to expose the brutality of this regime, quite the opposite the pandemic is propelling so called democracies to become more and more authoritarian. A recycled romance is blossoming between Marxist, socialist ideas and a new generation. Don't kid yourselves, as romantic and grand it may seem, the outcome is always disastrous.

“Karl Marx was right, socialism works, it is just that he had the wrong species”

― Edward O. Wilson, The Ants