Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, September 27 2005 @ 03:23 AM CDT

Chuck0 said, ". . .We are at a point now--what with liberals being pissed off at the Democrats and progressives not knowing what to do--where we can step up, set an example, and inspire people to more effective action."

The activities that that really encourage me coming out of the North American anarchist community are the Hurricane victim solidarity campaigns and the No Borders campaigns in the South.

Certainly, we can do likewise concerning (anti-imperialst, and anti-state) anti-war activities. In the SW, anarchists are engaging in what we are FOR. Even in the protests against the Minutemen, anarchists are demonstrating what we are FOR, No Borders.

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Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, September 27 2005 @ 06:17 AM CDT

I'm not particularly sure anarchists ought to be for anything--at least not yet, in condtions of imposed questions of the social reality (war, work, race, gender...etc) We are a negation.

"To become involved in what? More of these exciting and highly effective marches in DC? Electing another war mongering politician in a few years?"

Exactly. But what is a negation manifest? What is experiments in freedom? What is revolt. Most of us don't know becuase the Leftists are right, we are privileged, and for the most part don't exist in an industrial society with modern forms of oppression--material conditions. We are not, as of yet fighting for our survival (divorced of course from the ELF perspective.) And the folk-artists at crimethinc HQ are right, and so was ol' Raul, we are fighting for our lives. To own our selves, and be self-determined in what ever individual or collective form that may take. But still, when was the last time most of us (US anarchicos) we're physically threatened by the state or capital (minus our own participation in rowdy demos)?

I think we are wrong to imagine disarticulating the state and history shows our folly in Russia and Spain at least. So what if we can make the busses run on time if it's the busses existence that is problematic. Our task is ruthless, terrible, merciless universal creation and destruction (not necessarily in that order.) Now, we need something to call our own. We need time and space to dream, and experiment. Where is that?

I think it may be in a new contradiction--a counter economy, similar to black market as well as foraging and for those who do, cultivation. But this will be a genuine risk, not mere lifestylism. Ours would be life-insurgent.
Every non-taxed, stolen, bartered, grown desire or need can be done in gatherings (small and large) and every gathering a potluck. This is not a solution, but a new problem, but one we could own, instead of the parody of resistance, and resignation we now are engulfed in.

Keep an open ear and be ready to gather; discuss these posibilities if you see this as a problem worth getting into.

Anarchists, we need a negation worth holding on to--worth fighting for and living for. We need a an experiment that raises tension, created ruptures and elaborates on all our past projects. What is a way to live that finds it's self at odds will the existant world? Why is that world better than looking at porn on the internet and working, drinking, and being secure?

-t

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Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, September 28 2005 @ 02:00 PM CDT

Cemender (who 't' was responding to) writes:

't' said, ". . .We are a negation."

Speak for yourself, anarchists are a large group. I am certainly in solidarity and in the same camp as you, but am suggesting an alternative to this very attitude.

We have to move beyond being a mere negation of a negation. You can not show love through anti-hate.

"But still, when was the last time most of us (US anarchicos) we're physically threatened by the state or capital (minus our own participation in rowdy demos)?"

Wow! That is, wow! I am going to be blunt. You demonstrate a level of ignorance and privilege beyond that which I can relate with.

You speak in a lot of abstractions, that seem senseless. We need practical change. Also "lifestylism" is a red herring.

Some one else stated, ". . .Rather our role is to help articulate their daily problems and relate them in a broader social context, empowering them to create change."

I sorta' agree. My role is to articulate my understanding of the broader social context, empower myself and my community to create change, serve as an example for others, and open myself up to learning and mutual understanding with others.

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Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, September 29 2005 @ 03:36 AM CDT

Cemender, "We have to move beyond being a mere negation of a negation. You can not show love through anti-hate."

I'm not sure we can call solidarity and photo-ops, love. Also I'm more interested in a genuine love that grows out of "anti-hate" as it were...I'm not particularly sure we are nothing more than social constructs.

"But still, when was the last time most of us (US anarchicos) we're physically threatened by the state or capital (minus our own participation in rowdy demos)?"-me

"Wow! That is, wow! I am going to be blunt. You demonstrate a level of ignorance and privilege beyond that which I can relate with."-you

I'm not going to get super butt-hurt about this, but calling out 'privilege' becuase i state a pretty obvious truth, that most of the US anarchists are honkies, service class, 20 somethings seems a bit ridiculous. If that's not your experience, word. But don't pretend that white kids are some kind of aberation for the US anarchism. And don't pretend that the material condions for most are easily met. Certainly an excluded multitude exists even here, but our experience is not that of the non-citizen, or non-first worlder.

My perspective is one of projectual life that seizes, discovers and elaborates on freedom. Sure, break down the spectacle or whatever at the authentic place of social war--our work places, school, the market, the club, conerts, shows, bars, cafes etc. But I'm interested in seizing right here and now space and time to experiement with freedom, and a means of survival that can negate my work for the global economy.

"Rather our role is to help articulate their daily problems and relate them in a broader social context, empowering them to create change."

Who is this 'they' you're speaking of? Are you seperate from the rest of the excluded and exploited? If so why in the hell would you have a desire to destroy the social order? Get off with that guilt, moralism, do-gooder shit.

The problematics for US anarchicos isn't an attitude. It is a lack of deeds, and disarticulation of freedom. Moreover it is The World's (civilization,hierarchy, and domintion) intervention in our social realtions.

-t

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