21st Century Anarchism- Presentation this Friday (Fountain Square, Indy)

[IndianaGreen]

21st Century Anarchism- Presentation this Friday

Invitation to a presentation and dialogue this Friday, August 6th.

In the four years since the landmark protests against the World Trade Organization in Seattle, anarchism has achieved an unpredecented level of visibility. Anarchism has become the reference point for an entire movement based on direct action, autonomous and positive communities, and a rejection of this society's wars, sexism, racism, homophobia, and ecocide. As our movement grows it is thus increasingly important to discuss what it means to be an anarchist in the 21st century

A number of speakers from FRAC (the midwest based Federation of Revolutionary Anarchist Collectives) are stopping in Indianapolis hoping to continue this discussion. Please join us as they share their observations on this movement and their feelings on where we need to go from here in our fight for a new world free from the violence and hierarchy that define this one.

We hope to see you this Friday (August 6th) at 7 pm at the Art is a Hammer collective space (1629 Lexington in Fountain Square- http://maps.yahoo.com/dd yields up accurate directions). We welcome everyone who interested in participating in this discussion or just
in learning more about anarchism.

Speaking of, feel free to check out the following websites for an introduction to the anarchist movement:

http://www.infoshop.org
http://www.crimethinc.com
http://www.frac.ws (the website for the speaking tour)

Also, feel free to email [e-mail] if you need further directions or have any questions.

Another world is possible!

[mstrsplinter326]

1. Anarchy is not a solution.

If society is fixed, maybe we could slowly degenerate government into anarchy controlled by a society that takes care of itself.

But making anarchy the ultimate goal is folly, as it has no inherent benefits if society itself is not shaped to have a reinforcing community.

Read ecotopia to see what I mean - they were headed toward anarchy, but slowly and in a society that had social responsibility.

[IndianaGreen]

2. The popular concept of anarchy is far off the mark

People think of anarchists as the ones wearing black carrying a bomb to create mayhem. Not true at all!

It was American anarchists, together with communists and socialists, that fought and died for such a radical idea as the 8-hour workday.

Do some research on the Haymarket Massacre and the origins of May Day.

[mstrsplinter326]

3. No I know most anarchists are not terrorists

But the ideology as an ultimate goal is folly nonetheless. Make the ultimate goal better society, when its achieved (or close to it because perfect is imposible) then the degeneration will happen by itself.

[el_gato]

4. It's the complexity of this society that is the problem

We have created a highly complex civilization based on
constant massive inputs of energy that is not sustainable
from any point of view. Ultimately, as resources dwindle
anarchy will prevail. However, your attempt to identify
anarchy as an ideology just shows how you don't understand
what is meant by the word anarchy. You may want to
actually go to the source and read what people mean when they
use the word anarchy, and I'm talking about writings
from the anarchist milieu itself.

Afterall, we had anarchy for thousands of years. Government
is a relatively new concept if you look at the history of humanity.

[mstrsplinter326]

5. well...

A condesending tone converts few.

No, I haven't researched anarchy but I know that people believe in it (Belief having whatever degree and amount of association you want it to have.

Ideology - "a body of ideas that reflects the beliefs and interests of a nation, political system, etc."

You fall under the etc. category. So the word works there...

More importantly Government being a new concept is an argument for the achievements of humans and NOT an argument against government.