http://www.truth-out.org/sharing-meals-groceries-and-anti-authoritarianism-worldwide-food-not-bombs-founder-keith-mchenry6482?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitterCreated in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1980, Food Not Bombs (FNB) is the brainchild of Keith McHenry and seven other activists. "We came out of the Clamshell Alliance," says McHenry, which was "trying to shut down Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant. It was a collection of mostly anarchists, but also included Quakers and the Red Clams, who were socialists."
With roots in a variety of social causes, it's not surprising that McHenry describes the FNB project as essentially "the food wing of a movement that includes anti-authoritarian music, art, unlicensed radio, zines, squatting, needle exchange, bike and hemp liberation, info shops, computer networking, autonomous decentralized non-hierarchical organizing, consensus decision-making and sharing a philosophy of tolerance, joy and free expression."
By linking the national problem of homelessness with the larger issue of rampant militarism, McHenry's goal is to address "the inhumane agenda of the government at both the personal and international levels" as a path towards beginning a nationwide debate. He works towards this goal not only with commitment and passion, but also with creativity … often in the face of massive police repression. I recently spoke with McHenry:
Mickey Z.: Why do you believe Food Not Bombs has endured while other radical groups and movements fizzle?
Keith McHenry: I think Food Not Bombs endures because it has the component of seeing results and that people are changed when they see that they can collect food and have direct impact on people's lives by sharing meals and groceries. Another aspect that promotes its longevity can be found in our principle of having no leaders and encouraging each group to strive to make decisions using consensus. Volunteers don't feel they are being ordered to do something or feel someone in the office is getting paid while they are doing the work. They take personal responsibility for making Food Not Bombs happen. Another reason we are continuing to grow after 30 years is the political, economic and environmental problems we started to organize around are even more horrific today than back in 1980. Many volunteers also understand that by organizing a local Food Not Bombs they are able to support a wide range of actions and see it as one of the more positive actions they can take. Our model is very simple, based on our three principles and seven steps to starting a group, so it is easy for people to organize and see results right away.
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