Are you a radical?

[IrateCitizen]

The word "radical" is banded about political circles as someone who wants to change the entire socio-economic system under which we live, as someone dangerous to society-at-large. Radicals are described as fringe characters, not deserving of true influence in society, lest their dangerous ideas take hold.

But does anyone really know where the term comes from? In the early days of industrialization in Great Britain, there was a group of educated people -- some of them even holding positions of power -- who saw the problems that industrialization brought with it, and decided to do something about it. They saw their goal as "getting at the root of the problem", and as a descriptive name, they took the term "radical" -- the same as the symbol for a square root. In short, a "radical" was someone who saw problems and strove to get to the root of them, rather than just ignoring them or nibbling around the edges.

So, I ask you again, are you a radical? I know that I am, and I wear that title with pride, since I know what it really means.

[rainy]

1. I've always been a radical and a rebel too.

[carnie_sf]

2. Proud radical here

may even be a socialist.

[justinsb]

3. always and moreso every day.

Although every day I become more convinced that the US (not just the current administration) is one of the thicker roots.

[IrateCitizen]

7. Well, I would have to agree with you there...

But then I'd have to delve into critical theory, and that's a whole other discussion that would not be of enough "soundbite quality" to sustain itself in the fickle universe of GDF.

[justinsb]

14. Sorry? GDF?

[IrateCitizen]

15. General Discussion Forum

The "Short Attention Span Theater" of Democratic Underground.

[justinsb]

16. oh..lol

I understand. Although if you could somehow include a few mentions of Carl Rove in the analysis it might last a little longer.

[dogday]

4. Never marched to the beat of the drum

I like the first poster's remark about being a rebel. I am always taking up for the little guy and standing on my soap box for causes.

I won't do anything that involves violence or destruction of property although when I was in high school we took Nixon signs out of the yards, but that is not what I would call radical....

[gratuitous]

5. Yeah

Whaddya got?

[politicaholic]

6. Radical by both definitions...

I want to change the socio-economic climate of the world to eliminate war and all of the monetary and political gains associated with it.

[sintax]

8. Yes- Nominated

All this talk about reforming the system gets folks nowhere.

When one is heading towards the edge of a cliff a step backwards is a step in the right direction.

Good to see someone who clearly understands and defines what a 'radical' is.

[Ravenseye]

9. Depends on who you ask

I think I am. People who disagree with me about what the root problems are though probably see me as obstructionist.

[wli]

10. definitely not a reactionary

[GeekMonkey]

11. I am labeled a radical for simply not believing religious myths

or at least for publicly stating this

[lala_rawraw]

12. I am as follows

You decide what sticker to put on it (not in any particular order):

1). Pro-Constitution
2). Pro-Choice
3). Pro-Civil Liberties
4). Anti-racism
5). Anti-corporatism and privatization of public holdings (news, for example)
6). Anti-corruption
7). Pro Human Rights
8). Pro-Minority Rights
9). Anti-Illegal Immigration BUT pro Amnesty and legal immigration
10). Pro-separation of church and state
11). Pro-voting rights and fairness
12). Pro-accountability
13). Anti-death penalty
14). Anti-torture
15). Pro-Science
16). Pro balanced budget
17). Anti-war unless NECESSARY for defense
18). Pro environment
19). Pro-education

okay, this could go on forever...is this radical? at this point I don't know what means what, but I for one want some semblance of sanity in this country.

[nolabels]

30. Back in the sixties you would of been a conservative...........

by rules set up by the herded populus.

I am simply am for things that work or at least for people obtain a living from it

[ewagner]

13. Never thought so...

at least since I married and settled down 30 years ago.

But I'm finding more and more that the positions I've held for years are now considered radical, lunatic fringe.....

witness this response from ANOTHER DUer over my LTTE:

Great job ewgner, succinct yet refreshingly fragrant with just a hint of
ANTI-SOCIAL RADICALISM.

I think the Bush* Administration has done more to radicalize me than anything in the last 30 years....

[Mandate My Ass]

25. LOL. Me too. Without moving an inch I find myself

on the loony left fringe. The herd moved I guess.

[info being]

17. I am a radical

Thanks for asking.

[KnightoftheRepublic]

18. During the French Revolution,

the radicals were the ones who advocated Democracy.

[IrateCitizen]

19. As I've learned it, those were the initial socialists...

After all, the roots of socialism come almost directly out of the French Revolution -- ESPECIALLY the years of Robespierre and the Jacobin Dictatorship.

[DistressedAmerican]

20. Sho Nuff!

[TahitiNut]

21. Yep. I'm part of the grassradicals.

:evilgrin:

[katinmn]

22. I believe so. A post I made from earlier today.....

I have never been a single issue activist and I don't plan to start being one now.

I've been a little mystified by posts recently suggesting that I and others like me who are fighting every day on many fronts need to choose between one political crisis over another.

Just since the last election:

We have worked on election reform; organized state and national protests; have started and support election reform organizations; organized protests to save the filibuster; marched in protest to the war on numerous occasions; helped plan the visit of Iraqis to 20-plus US cities so people could hear from "our enemies" first hand. We door knock, phone bank, gather and deliver petitions on issues important to us -- human and civil rights, the environment, the war. That didn't stop after November 2.

We participated in the National Media Reform Conference and local media reform efforts. We contribute to blogs, Indy Media and other alternative media regularly.

We join with local progressives anytime we can: DFA, State Progressive Caucuses, DU Meet-ups, even Drinking Liberally. We network with progressives all over the country.

We've written numerous LTTEs, made numerous calls to our legislators and write to them every week (if not every day). We've signed numerous petitions. We've written to every member of the Senate and the House at one point or another.

We give money to progressive organizations and elected officials every month. We are involved on national, state and local levels.

Our lives are immersed in advancing the progressive agenda. This is a war of good against evil.

We hope we are making a difference because other areas of our lives have had to take a backseat, and sometimes we get tired.

This is not bragging. Even writing this I know it might appear like manic behavior to some.

For those that only have time or interest in a single issue, please follow through. More importantly, please consider encouraging people who are drawn to do more. When you say: "Waste of time" or "We need to choose our battles" you are telling us to roll over and accept what for us is unacceptable.

[rosesaylavee]

37. Absolutely katinmn

Some of us are better at multi-tasking than others. Do what you can where you can. There are 73,000+ members of this forum - I THINK there is enough of us to go around and make a difference without all of us focusing on just one thing at a time. Anyway, whose life works that way?

PS - Like the posting and the definition. I are radical too.

[Pacifist Patriot]

23. Absolutely. I'm a radical in both senses of the word.

Because I am seeking to overturn the "psychological modernism" afflicting our culture.

To quote Thomas Moore, I concur when he says this about the uncritical acceptance of the values of the modern world.

"It includes blind faith in technology, inordinate attachment to material gadgets and conveniences, uncritical acceptance of the march of scientific progress, devotion to the electronic media, and a life-style dictated by advertising...The modernist syndrome also tends to literalize everything it touches."

Care of the Soul pages 206-207.

[sintax]

38. Great Post

Are you familiar with the works of Ian Boal (sp?) and John Zerzan?

There is no freedom without land

[fooj]

24. They have RADICALLY taken over this country...

and they have the audacity to label us "radical"? White is black and wet is dry...

Screw them. I will not allow them to DEFINE who I am.

Peace.

[MsTryska]

26. yup.

i guess i am.


and i can thank George Bush for successfully radicalizing me.


altho i guess i've always been somewhat of a root cause analyst.

[rman]

27. Well, i think we need radical change in the political system,

and in many other systems.
I suppose that makes me a radical.

[realFedUp]

28. Hasn't Bush turned more people into radicals and terrorists?

I am just real fed up.

[Mairead]

29. Alinskian radical, yes.

Definitely.

[ananda]

31. hehheh

Is a radical defined as a leftie liberal socialist like me?

Woohoo!


Sue

[UrbScotty]

32. Yes! AND I'm Liberal too! (nt)

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

33. Well, I've moved Left from the Marxist I was when I was 18.

I guess, from the standard American political view of things, being an Anarchist would be considered "radical".

Pretty scary stuff to think that the people should have some say in their own lives and get together to find solutions to the problems presented them by the bosses.

[mogster]

34. I used to be a liberal conservative

No, I'm definitely not a radical if defined as politically on the 'fringe'. I'm a centrist, or used to be. Back when I didn't give a feck about politics.
Or at least not enough to participate.
Strangely enough, I grew up with the punks in the late 70's and early 80's. Sunday school and childhood innocence met nihilism and anarchy, and the incredible POWER in that movement transformed me, but it had very little to do with politics. I'd call it Appetite for Life ;-)

Now things are totally different; I care for politics because I don't know how to stay away. Maybe that's become a sort of appetite for life too.
But if I'm on the fringe, it's because the center has moved far to the right.

Your description of radical fits very well, and I've no problem identifying as a radical. Cut the bullshit and let's get the facts on the table - sounds like manna in this world of liars.

[Jackpine Radical]

35. See radix (L), radius & even radish as related words.

[Iris]

36. I used to think I was.

But now I'm starting to warm up to the idea of creating change from within "the system." Maybe because I just finished a public policy class.