Mitdenken mit Marx – Samaira Sirohia 8D
Karl Marx (1818-1883) was a German philosopher, historian, sociologist, and journalist born in Trier, Germany. He wrote Capital, which inspired our day’s activities. We began with introductions and the concept of fairness, which Marx valued. Fairness means making judgments without discrimination or bias. We were grouped with students from other schools, which was out of our comfort zone but ensured that we bonded with other students.
Our first activity was matching German words with pictures — das Proletariat (working class), die Gerechtigkeit (justice), die Gleichheit (equality), die Ungleichheit (inequality), die Bourgeoisie (owners), and die Arbeit (work). We had discussions on each of the words with examples.
Next was the class system game. Chits were picked and they determined whether we were workers, supervisors, or owners. Workers or Proletariat made bookmarks in 20 minutes. Supervisors checked quality and ensured deadlines were met. The Bourgeosies who were the heads of it all and overlooked the entire process. We were made to sign contracts agreeing to fulfil our duties as mentioned and producing high quality work efficiently. Owners sold them for ₹100 each. Workers got ₹20, supervisors ₹100, and owners kept the rest. It did not matter who did how much work, who produced more goods as everyone was given the same amount. We could buy badges, caps, notebooks, stickers. Owners bought the most goods. This showed unfairness, luck, and the need for unions and strikes.
The paper-shredding activity taught die Entfremdung (alienation). Some had scissors, others rulers, which was also the unjust we had to face .We cut strips in silence as instructed. We didn’t know the purpose, leaving us alienated. The work felt monotonous, isolating, and disconnected from results.
We wrote dream jobs and discussed their role in capitalist society. Then we rated professions and found hand-based jobs like cleaners or waiters got fewer stars. Every profession has its own importance, its own value in society and in every field. Just because they don’t make use of mind and instead hand, we treat them without respect and pay them less?
We answered reflection questions on how to create a fairer society and reduce inequality. Worksheets after each activity helped us think deeply. During breaks, we had hot chocolate, muffins, noodles, and played memory games and scrabble with other schools.
Thank you to MHS and Goethe Institut for giving me this opportunity! I look forward to more such events!
