Marx in Soho, Zinn at Brandeis

Just saw ‘Marx in Soho’ by Howard Zinn. It's a one-man show, and the idea is that Marx has been given an hour and a half to return to earth to defend himself, which he does via an extended lecture/performance. Among his denunciations of capitalism, his fury over the corruption of his ideas, and complaints about the boils on his ass, there are plenty of stories about his personal life mixed in. Prominent among these are anecdotes about his youngest daughter, Eleanor. He fondly recalls how she broke the law against working on Sunday by holding a concert for 2,000 people where musicians played Handel, Mozart, and Beethoven. The police could do nothing, and Marx notes:

“This just goes to show you; if you’re going to break the law, do it with 2,000 people. And Mozart.”

The show ends thusly:

“I still have hope for the future. We all just need to get off our asses and DO something. Here’s an idea: once in a while, pretend as if you have boils. Refuse to sit down or stand still.

Ah, my time is up. But never fear – think of this as the Second Coming. But instead of Jesus, they sent Marx.”

The author himself was sitting right behind me. Before the show started, I asked him when capitalism would heave its last. This is what he said:

“I don’t know. I really don’t. But it’ll happen. Capitalism is a sick system; you don’t need me to tell you that. Just look at the differences between rich and poor in this city or any city. Everyone – the media, the politicians, the education system – they all say capitalism has triumphed. Triumphed over whom? And for those who say that human nature is against Marxism, I disagree. Certainly human nature has tremendous capacity for terrible things. But there is greater capacity for kindness, compassion, affection and love. Just look at our supposed love of war. People have to be coerced, bribed, threatened, and incited to have any part in it. Socialism, Marxism, whatever you wan to call it – it believes in humanity. Capitalism does not. And if history teaches us anything, it’s that anything can happen.”

Something to think about, at least.