The Dirt is a decentralized anarchist publication with chapters in St. Louis, Portland and New Orleans.
From: The Dirt
------------------------------------------------------ Call For Submissions: Anarchists and Popular Rebellion -------------------------------------------------------- "Whispers Under Yer Breath" is a regular column that's published with the intent of stirring up public dialogue about the strengths, weaknesses, dreams, ambitions, etc... of the radical community in america and where we can go from here. This will be a space for ongoing conversations about why anarchy has not yet smashed the state, and how it should. In other words, a space for dialogue about discourse and strategy. The way in which we hope to make this a printed dialogue is through the continued printing of written responses to “Whispers” submissions in future issues. So, please, don't be shy about writing responses to what you read in this edition of whispers. Your contributions can be sent to thedirt@riseup.net. The original callout for winter issue regarding anarchy and age can be downloaded here and the what people wrote in response to that callout can be downloaded here. All submissions to this column will be anonymous. However, because we find the geography of ideas to be a very interesting thing indeed you may include the state or locale from which you hail. We'd also love to hear your ideas about what future topic for this column should be. So, hit us up! This issue we'd like to explore the relationship between anarchists and popular rebellion in the streets. As anarchists, how can we more effectively contribute to the spreading of the boundaries of rebellion, as well as, stoke the flames to make combative and confrontational struggle against the state a daily reality over weeks and months and years? How have we done this successfully in the past? What examples are there of situations where there were opportunities to spread the flames, but alas we did not? What is the role of the white/outside/anarchist/ agitator/provocateur in rebellions and movements where primarily people of color are at the forefront? Is this line of questioning some vanguardist bullshit? While participating in popular rebellion might certainly be exciting, is it even worth the bother? Won't the masses inevitably get tired of the instability that comes along with fighting and have their struggles swiftly coopted? Would “our” (your?) struggle be better served by a fierce and unrelenting departure from the masses? You tell us. You don't have to respond to all these questions, but hopefully you get the gist of what we're going for. Anarchists and popular rebellion, duh. We look forward to reading your responses. With Strength and Dignity, The Dirt Editorial Collective ----------------------------------- TheDirt@riseup.net TheDirt.noblogs.org -----------------------------------
Back when I was a youngster (the 1960’s & 1970’s) we used to joke about the three hermits operating out of a basement: Armed with a mimeograph machine, they produced a newsletter laid out in bold upper case fonts and heavily spiced with lefty lingo. They would emerge from the depths only to chance upon another isolationist trio in the midst of a street demonstration. A shouting match would ensue. Each group would insist that it is the indispensible genuine item. I am sorry to say that I have witnessed these kinds of outbursts on a number of occasions.
Struggle is the critical element, not the whims and whereabouts of competing factions. Indeed, the fact that such groups are primarily at odds with each other just underscores their lack of maturity and revolutionary spirit. As for me, I try to behave as a common soldier and treat my fellow workers in the same fashion.