Commodification is defined as treating something that can not be bought and sold as a commodity (Merriam Webster). As history has progressed, and culture has evolved, the commodification of the body is becoming a pandemic disease, rather than the controllable epidemic it used to be. Many have turned to selling their bodies, or rather their natural talents, in return for glory or money. This is driven by the extremely capitalist society that has been formed today, along with the pressures that society usher. Similar to the way the people of Maycomb degrade Tom Robinson’s body in Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, sports culture fosters the mindset of body commodification and the willingness to sacrifice both physical and emotional well-being. …show more content…
Racial segregation prevailed, gender inequality was at an all time high, and the economy was simply failing. For people like Tom Robinson, who suffered from both discrimination and economic instability, the only work he could find was manual labor, such as operating a cotton gin. Tom Robinson was a black man, who was accused of a crime he evidently didn't do. He is an excellent example of the capitalist economic system. An expert on human behavior Mokokoma Mokhonoana described the effect of capitalism and humans by claiming, “Capitalism has turned human beings into commodities. To the owner of a restaurant: the cook and a bag of potatoes are equally important.” The evidence of the commodification of the body on Tom Robinson is revealed throughout To Kill A