sy Table of Contents r e o Introduction 2 ve Lara Messersmith-Glavin h Elsipogtog: River of Fire 8 i t Andréa Schmidt t Theatre and the Art of Transgression 18 ct Tamara Lynne s Octavia’s Brood: ei An Interview with Walidah Imarisha 34 h Lara Messersmith-Glavin pc Liberating Linguistics 40 r Alexander Reid Ross s a Do-It-Yourself Strategies for rn Revolutionary Study Groups 54 Mamos Rotnelli a e “Strict Discipline Combined with n Social Equality”: Orwell on Leadership p in the Spanish Militias 73 o Kristian Williams Building Revolutionary Anarchism 84 n.27 2014 Colin O’Malley The Heist of East 13th Street 97 Jackson Smith Editorial Collective: Lara Messersmith-Glavin, Paul Book Reviews Messersmith-Glavin, and The Black Freedom Struggle: Maia Ramnath. An Anarchist Perspective 107 Layout, Illustrations, and Cover Jonathan W. Hutto, Sr. Design: Josh MacPhee. Refusing the Planetary Work Machine 112 Photographs by the authors of Kevin Van Meter the essays. Insurgent Health 120 Javier Sethness Castro Perspectives on Anarchist Theory The Violence of Bureaucracy 126 is a publication of the Institute Dalel Benbabaali for Anarchist Studies (IAS). The We All Have a Stake, views expressed here do not We All Have Contributions to Make 131 necessarily reflect the IAS. Andrew Cornell Special Thanks: Will Munger, IAS Updates 136 Kristian Williams, Chris Dixon, Sara Anarchist Interventions 142 Rahnoma-Galindo, Harjit Singh Recent Grants 144 Gill, the Red and Black Café, Aiden About the IAS 148 and Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Charles Overbeck from Eberhardt Contact us at [email protected]. Press, all the artists and writers and New articles, many not contained in our print edition, are everyone who has ever attended an continually posted on line at our website. You can see them at IAS benefit. Anarchiststudies.org, just look under “Perspectives.” D o you remember the Spirograph? It has a de- ceptively simple design: a piece of paper and a frame—a plastic ring with ridges on the inside that function as gears, and then other circles or shapes could be set inside the ring and turned with the tip of a pen. The results were dazzling portraits of geo- metric functions, often in the shapes of flowers or stars, but sometimes looping out into elliptical whorls, describing complex mathematical relationships in neat, concrete forms. Every time I picked up a pen and a new wheel, I Introduction would try to guess the shape that would bloom on the paper, and I was often surprised. There was always a system LARA present, something clearly defining the movements that were and were not MESSERSMITH-GLAVIN allowed, but it was difficult to know in advance what boundaries—and beau- for the perspectives ties—would emerge. editorial collective These images of interlocking lines, of space being sliced into ever-shrinking Lara Messersmith-Glavin teaches territories according to minute shifts developmental reading and writing at Portland in alignment or orientation, are close Community College. She is a member of the to what come to mind when I think of Guttery Writers, and is a regular performer the radical left in my community. My at the Astoria Fisher Poets Gathering. She mental image is more chaotic, more coedited the recently published Life During full of noise, but the feeling is similar. Wartime: Resisting Counterinsurgency I believe that we share, for the most (Oakland: AK Press, 2013), and is engaged part, a vision: we see a possible world in a number of local projects around climate in which oppressions that are systemati- change, anticapitalist organizing, and writing/ cally reproduced can be systematically literacy/education as tools of transformation. undone. We might share some ideas 4 Perspectives about what those oppressions look like; transformation of the self is intimately we certainly experience many of them linked with the transformation of all in common—some of us more than in order to produce an existence that others, some of us in different ways. is free from suffering or oppression. And yet, in the cacophony of critiques, As anarchists, we are part of a long the ease of online chatter, the frustration and storied tradition of people seek- at the slowness with which we experi- ing liberation not only for ourselves as ence (or don’t experience) social change, individuals, but for us all—now, and the longing to destroy negative patterns for future generations. And still, the and replace them with positive ones, we fundamental question of “how” remains often lose our sense of commonality. As to be answered. we each find our way through history The process of transformation and understanding, it can be difficult to can be both maddeningly gradual and be more than a line pointing this way or frighteningly quick, similar to Stephen that, carving the terrain into one side or Jay Gould’s notion of “punctuated another. It can be hard to maintain that equilibrium,” the idea of slow biological sense of collective purpose, to see the evolution being studded with mo- pattern of which we are all a part. ments of radical change. Strategizing How do we get to that possible for and anticipating social revolution world that we share in our hearts? And in this manner is often little more than how will we know when we’re there? guesswork and fortunetelling, as we Must we arrive all at once, together, or scramble through history texts to find is it a long, slow journey with a variety precedents, models, and lessons to help of destinations? show us the way forward—to recreate I take comfort in the fact that we successes while (hopefully) avoiding are not carrying these questions alone. mistakes of the past. Knowing which The puzzle of collective transforma- moments are ripe, which conditions are tion is neither new nor unique to left met or coming into being, even whether politics. In Mahayana Buddhism, for something has already shifted, can feel instance, the notion of the bodhisattva is like an impossible task at times. It is in one who vows to attain enlightenment these moments of doubt that our dif- for the sake of all sentient beings. In ferences loom large, that the noise and some traditions, this entails a profound static threaten to block out our collec- act of solidarity: a bodhisattva delays tive vision of hope. their own release from the wheel of In his book Art & Physics: Parallel suffering until all others are free, as Visions in Space, Time & Light, Leonard well. Judaic mysticism investigates the Shlain puts forth the thesis that revo- notion of tikun: a rectification for the lutionary changes in human thought soul. In some readings of Kabbalah, take place in fits and starts over time, once all souls successfully complete the and that each major shift in scientific process of rectification for wrongdoing, thinking (predominately physics, but the holy sparks that were lost when the other disciplines apply) is prefigured by vessels of the sephirot shattered will at a similar, prognostic change in contem- last be reunited, and evil will disappear porary art. Cubism, for example, both from the world. In both examples, the predicted and explored ideas of relativity on anarchist theory 5 at roughly the same time at which and the allure of underground political Albert Einstein was developing his organizing against corporations and 1905 paper “On the Electrodynamics of states. Both Beyoncé and Kanye West Moving Bodies.” The Surrealists began (with Jay-Z) have music videos that destabilizing viewers’ understanding of glorify the front lines of protest, trad- space and time well before the general ing mainstream memes for molotovs. population began to assimilate Einstein’s Many radicals rejoice at this evidence ideas. It is almost as if we, as humans, of our influence: no longer is our share a collective mind, and if scientists presence invisible outside of our own are the waking part of the brain that communities and cliques. Through plans and constructs, then artists are the translation, the struggle becomes visible dreaming mind, the one that explores to the masses, legitimized by the power the unknown territories as we—all of of pop. Millions of YouTube viewers humanity—sleep, only to awaken with watch as cultural heroes give their a brainstorm that feels, to the con- blessing to smashed windows and po- scious mind at least, like a sudden and lice cars in flames; Oscar award winners unprovoked stroke of genius, or what shoot arrows at the empire. Subversion Rainer Maria Rilke calls a “conflagration is sexy again. of clarity.” In fact, that idea or change in And yet where are those ideals we paradigm has been brewing in our col- are fighting for? Where is the vision of lective unconscious, in our products of the alternative world, beyond the bala- culture and our unarticulated views, for clavas and the barricades? Have these quite some time. “The radical innova- ideas gotten lost again in the noise? tions of art embody the preverbal stages I am neither surprised to see the of new concepts that will eventually recent years of global unrest reflected change a civilization,” Shlain writes. back to us through cinema, nor do I “Whether for an infant or a society on expect depictions of general assemblies the verge of change, a new way to think and spokescouncils to have the same about reality begins with the assimila- zing as armed revolt when translated tion of unfamiliar images. This collation to the big screen. And I’ll admit: I love leads to abstract ideas that only later Jennifer Lawrence. There were mo- give rise to a descriptive language.” ments of solidarity in Catching Fire that Does this mean, then, that we brought me to tears. Nonetheless, it is can look to art and the products of difficult for me to get genuinely excited culture to see evidence of the impact of about these representations of rebellion our organizing, of our struggles, before because they reduce the entire project we really start to feel the change on a of transformation into a free society to large scale? At the time of this writing, that insurrectionary moment, to the post-Occupy and pre-whatever comes symbolism of (usually) armed struggle next, we are seeing a new “anarchist without much framework for alternative chic” emerging from Hollywood and possibilities or dreaming. When I think elsewhere. Films like Hunger Games, of all the radical ideals that I would Catching Fire, The Company You Keep, like to see seep into movies and music Divergent, and The East capitalize on videos, I would rather see imagery of the echoes of the Occupy movement large groups of people learning how 6 Perspectives to make decisions together, more fluid a set of networks and solutions as it is expectations of gender, a completely an embodiment of a collective uncon- consensual and open sexual dynamic, scious urge. There is a longing, and or the disappearance of the categories we scramble to find ways to satisfy it, of race, to name only a few. I am less intellectually and structurally. excited to see the whole project distilled Even as revolutionaries, we rec- into a handful of hard-bodied urbanites ognize that true change, deep change, clashing with police. often happens slowly, punctuated by On the other hand, what is it moments of rapid growth. Much of like for those viewers who have never it develops over time, in the spaces conceived of the possibility that perhaps between uprisings, and it is passed the social order in which they live is down from person to person and family neither inevitable nor the best possible to family, communities creating and alternative? Maybe these images of recreating meaning for themselves and beautiful people waving black flags in for others. We cannot hope to control Beyoncé’s “Superpower” really do sink or even influence every aspect of this in to some fundamental place, planting process. Many things that I still think a seed of doubt, sensitivity to a range of of as key points of struggle have already tactics, a small prejudice in favor of the become passé and self-evident to many oppressed. Then, given the right condi- of my students. “Why do people still tions later on, this seed sprouts into a even talk about gay rights,” some have new and, as of now, unpredictable form asked me. “Everyone agrees.” While of resistance of its own. this is obviously not yet the case, the I teach at a community college, fact that so many of them think that it and I often talk to my students about is gives me hope. For them, LGBTQQ such things—What do you see? I ask equality is no longer a focus of struggle; them. Much of media is a mirror; we they have the luxury to take it for see what we are looking for, we see our granted, to take it as truth. My insis- own desires and dreams reflected back tence that we re-examine its history to us, for better or worse. For those and current importance feels to them who know little of radical politics, who as if I am recreating the problem rather were largely unaware of Occupy and than letting it simply be solved. I am even less aware of recent happenings in an immigrant in this terrain; they are Egypt, Greece, Turkey—these products natives, and see no need to point out of culture say something else, entirely. that the river runs downstream or that They speak to feelings of dissatisfaction the water is wet. What this means to me and discontent writ large; they recall is that, at a certain point, the struggle experiences in the military, in lines for becomes less about fighting and more social services, in rehab programs. They about forgetting, about unlearning the do not act as proof of our influence as negative assumptions of before. activists; they are merely whispers of What if we all woke up one morn- something else, something unfamiliar ing from our collective dreaming and but potent. If Shlain is correct, then decided to act only according to those none of us has the answer, not exactly. dreams? What if we were able to shed What we are building is not so much the sickness and pain and culture of our on anarchist theory 7 current system like shrugging off a set of old clothes? What would that world look like? We must accept that we may have little control over how things emerge: our visions, our hopes, our goals. What begin as clear and sensible demarcations of one political frame versus another are often washed away in the end, the lessons of both being absorbed and incorporated in surprising and unpre- dictable ways. Social change happens both gradually and in “conflagration[s] of clarity.” What we need to do is offer the vulnerable and most honest heart of ourselves, the best and highest ideals, in the hope that these are the pieces that are carried on and conveyed, that our intentions are right and our understanding of our situations and contexts flexible and wide-seeing. Our commitment to struggle must include being caring and thoughtful as well as dedicated and brave; we must also commit to seeing our work with clear eyes—we must be nimble and able to shift as our terrain moves beneath and around us, as change happens with and without us. As we talk strategy, we must remember to carry our dreams with us. The Stakes O utside the Canadian province of New Brunswick, no one paid much attention to what was going on near the Elsipogtog First Nation until six police trucks were set ablaze. They should have. The Mi’kmaq community’s struggle to stop fracking before it starts is likely a harbinger of the resource wars to come in Canada. At the very least, it demonstrates ELSIPOGTOG: how a nation can stand in the way of government and corporate driven RIVER OF FIRE resource extraction projects on land they never ceded. That’s when this story started— ANDREA SCHMIDT not with the burning cop cars, but back before 1779, when the Mi’kmaq signed Peace and Friendship treaties with the British. In those treaties, they agreed, in the spirit of cooperation, to share the land and water with the Europeans, but they never gave it up. And unlike legal contracts, treaties don’t have an expira- tion date. Fast forward through three centu- ries of colonialism. Those not familiar with the history of Canadian govern- ment policy during this time—the Indian Act, residential schools, the six- Andréa Schmidt is a journalist and ties’ scoop—could begin reading about award-winning producer/director of current assimilation and genocide in the 1996 affairs documentaries. @whatescapes / whates- Report from the Royal Commission on capes.tumblr.com Aboriginal Peoples. 10 Perspectives Then jump to 2010. That’s the But some in Elsipogtog had seen year the government of New Brunswick the Gasland films. Others had heard of granted a Houston based company, the environmental disasters that frack- Southwestern Energy, licenses to explore ing has wrought in Pennsylvania and for shale gas in exchange for investment other parts of the United States. They in the province worth 47 million dollars thought of the frequent rivers that flow over five years. through this part of New Brunswick The stakes for the province are and into the Gulf of St Lawrence and high: New Brunswick is looking to shale the Northumberland Strait. They gas extraction to bring jobs and revenue thought of the Elsipogtog River on into the perennially struggling economy which the First Nation sits, and of where unemployment is almost 11 the summers they spent swimming percent, and tax revenue is dwindling and catching eels in its waters. They as workers migrate West to Alberta’s thought, Elsipogtog—L’sipuktuk— oil sands. If fracking goes ahead on a translates into River of Fire. And then significant scale, it could double the the parts of Gasland that everyone province’s revenue. And the province’s remembers and no one can forget cast most powerful family businesses stand an ironic light, and they didn’t like what to profit, as cheap and plentiful gas they saw in the future. allows Irving Oil to begin refining bitu- If SWN found the gas they were men piped East from the oil sands and looking for, they figured, nothing, and be exported from New Brunswick. certainly not the government, would But in spite of the backing of both stop the company from extracting it. a Liberal government that green lighted Many doubted that their First Nation— the licenses, and the current Progressive where unemployment hasn’t been Conservative government, Southwestern measured since 2006 and is estimated Energy has run into sizeable obstacles. at around 80 percent—would reap In 2011, they canceled three quarters of much benefit from it. And they couldn’t their first exploration season in response imagine that any amount of money or to blockades and protests led by the jobs would be worth gambling on the Maliseet of Saint Mary’s First Nation water that surrounds them and that is and environmental groups. In 2012, crucial to their culture and livelihood. “regulatory uncertainty” and fears that Indeed, they said over and over again, resistance would resurge caused them water is crucial to everyone’s livelihood. to hold off, according to an affidavit the Who can live without water? company filed in court in November, So in May, 2013 as SWN began 2013. In the spring of 2013, having exploring, the community moved into hired a small army of private security, action. they began exploring in Kent County, A core of people set up protest on government held land that lies camps near exploration sites. Others around the Elsipogtog First Nation. started scouting for SWN machinery and (The private security company in ques- signs of the impact the seismic testing tion is a subsidiary of JD Irving, which was having on the land and water. Still is a distinct business entity from Irving others were willing to get arrested, so Oil but connected by family ties.) they stood in front of the seismic testing