This Indefinite Transactional Society

In this episode, we unpack the dual realities of community and capitalism in the United States. On one hand, we explore the undeniable power of collective action—how safety, support, and real change are most often found when we show up for one another in community. But what happens when allyship becomes more about optics than solidarity?

We take a critical look at how relationships in the U.S. are often shaped by a transactional mindset—fueled by a capitalist framework that values productivity over people. From performative allyship to fleeting support movements, we question the sustainability and sincerity of connection in a system designed to commodify it.

Then we zoom out and examine the concept of planned obsolescence—not just in our tech and consumer goods, but in our social structures. Is our access to health insurance, education, and even our worth as workers designed to degrade over time? Are we only valuable as long as we’re profitable?

Join us as we dig into these layered dynamics and challenge what it means to build true community in a world that profits off of disposability.

Scholarship in this episode:

Ruha Benjamin's Imagination: a Manifesto  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/imagination-ruha-benjamin/1143473094?ean=9781324020974

Ruha Benjamin's Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want  https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691222882/viral-justice

Hey, y'all! We're doing a call fpr submissions for our final episode of the season! Please send any questions, advice, stories, etc. that you may have on Instagram @BlackWomen.BeKnowing or on whichever platform you listen to us on. Thanks!

This is difficult work that we're doing, and even though we can't always be with you to bear witness, trust us, we know... Welcome home!