Recent Recurring Thought

[anarchist_nomad]

I miss being an activist...

Comments

[blaisepascal]

At least you are not that which you were active against.

[bunnypip.livejournal.com]

Quite so!

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

*small smile* Well said, kind sir.

Indeed, I have not. I still believe in all the same things that I did then. It's just a question of what I am doing about it.

[bunnypip.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

I'd love to see you get back to this someday (soon)Sweetie, I know how it makes you feel to not be xxx

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

*soft smile* Thank you, Beloved!

I do feel somewhat... less than whole... for being away from this for too long. That feeling is a good thing, though! It means that my soul is still intact because it can feel the hole. Also, that feeling of loss will eventually steer me back to that sort of work. If I didn't miss it, that would actually be the scarier prospect.

[bunnypip.livejournal.com]

Yes, as we said at the weekend, the combination of your upset at not being active _and_ your continued ability to be moved by the issues means your soul is still intact.


(am still reading my way through FAQ you linked me to BTW)

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

Yes, as we said at the weekend, the combination of your upset at not being active _and_ your continued ability to be moved by the issues means your soul is still intact.

Exactly!

To be honest, I've spent more time being what some term a "lifestylist" than I have spent as an activist. I was only really active from 2001 through 2006... but I've been an Anarchist since roughly 1993.

I will get back to it. I know that. I am very much still an Anarchist; as blaisepascal observes, I have not turned into my own antithesis. And the fact that I miss the work makes it ever more likely...

(am still reading my way through FAQ you linked me to BTW)

Oh, you started in on the Anarchist FAQ (http://www.infoshop.org/page/AnAnarchistFAQ)? Excellent! Please let me know what you think as you read various parts!

Also, am not at all surprised that you are still working on it. Actually, I would be quite surprise if you had finished! There is a lot of text there!

Although the different sections stand alone and there is no need to read it linearly from "cover to cover", Resourceress and I started at the beginning in early 2001. We made our way through the introduction and Section A before our steam petered out partway through Section B. If you find a part that particularly grabs you, though, do let me know! I could read it, too, and we can discuss!

Love you lots!!

[miss-amaranth.livejournal.com]

After talking with you about this last week, I know how much it means to you. I hope it's something you get chance to go back to soon.

*hugs tightly*

Love you
xxx

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Sweetheart! Tis indeed very much a part of me! Heck, it is even in my [LJ] name! *grin* *wink*

*hugs you back closely*

Love you, too... lots!
xxx

[friend-of-tofu.livejournal.com]

Didn't you just help organise an event, though? Sounds pretty activist to me.

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

Depends on the type of event, doesn't it? Organising Oxford BiFest doesn't earn me activist stripes...

[bunnypip.livejournal.com]

yeah, we didn't exactly have to face down cops in riot gear for the right to chat, knit and have a disco.

[friend-of-tofu.livejournal.com]

That's hardly the only kind of activism, though, or even necessarily the most effective (it's situational). There are lots of ways to facilitate the change you want to see, I don't think there's anything requiring all activism to be life-or-death stuff.

So basically, I wouldn't feel bad about it.

[ludy]

if i can't knit i don't want to be part of your revolution!

[friend-of-tofu.livejournal.com]

Depends who's handing them out.

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

Well fair enough... but I don't think I'd actually accept activist stripes for putting on a social event. Tis true that I conceived of and helped run Oxford BiFest. It was great fun and a big success... but, at the end of the day, it was a social event.

In October, I am also running a BiCon-sized Pagan festival in New York. Does that suddenly make me a Pagan activist? I don't think so. It just means that I am organising another social event.

[skibbley.livejournal.com]

I think it does. Perhaps we could talk about this face-to-face sometime somewhere quiet.

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

I would like that.

Maybe before we have that chat, you could take a look at my comments to artremis here (http://anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com/313198.html?thread=3221102#t3221102)?

Looking forward to talking to you sometime somewhere soon...

[winewiskeywomen.livejournal.com]

Could resuming your activism put your visa at risk? i know how fond you are of your current station.

[bunnypip.livejournal.com]

sadly this is the biggest boulder along the path :-(

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

As my darling bunnypip has already mentioned[*], you are quite right. Resuming my activism to the level it was at in the States could indeed put me at risk for being deported. Especially if I got arrested. This would also result in cheshcat being removed from the United Kingdom, as her visa is explicitly dependent on mine.

I feel a bit embarrassed that this is even a consideration. After all, the threat of deportation didn't silence Alexander Berkman or Emma Goldman, did it? Nor did the threat of prison keep them from doing their work. For that matter, did the threat of death keep Albert Parsons, August Spies, Adolph Fischer, George Engel, and Louis Lingg from the streets? Did the threat of being bulldozed to death cause Rachel Corrie to stand aside? Closer to home, home many of our comrades have we worked with who are now in prison?

Despite the fact that, in the past, I have risked arrest and serious injury to do the right ring, I am highly ashamed to admit that the threat to my visa is indeed a current consideration. Apologies for that to you and all the Anarchists I have ever worked with. For now, the thing to do is probably to start looking at low-risk activity that I could get involved with to make some level of difference, rather than continuing on entirely as a lifestylist.

By the way, and in case it is not obvious: You, my old friend, are also quite an inspiration! In many ways, I see you as the backbone, heart, and soul of the Phoenix Anarchist Coalition. Many people, myself included, have come and gone over the [almost] decade that PAC has been around... but you are steadfastly there and reliably active. My metaphorical hat is off to you, comrade!

---

[*] What can I say? She's quick!

[winewiskeywomen.livejournal.com]

No need to feel shame for obeying the prime biological imperative, IMO! i no longer risk arrest because it can take a week in Sheriff Joe's jail to get the prescription medication i need.
Your kind words leave me feeling quite remiss; i was in San Francisco for three PAC meetings and ill (flu?) for the next three; age and poor health have conspired to render me more of an onlooker than a participant. Perhaps the feeble attempt at health insurance reform will help me resume my former level of activity? But for now "...'tis our fast intent to shake all cares and business from our age, conferring them on younger strengths while we unburdened crawl to death."

[dcseain.livejournal.com]

I sorta do, but mostly not.

[anarchist-nomad.livejournal.com]

Oh? I'd be interested in hearing more, old friend. I presume you will be at the usual place in October, yes? *crosses fingers* Perhaps a stroll and a chat will be in order?

[dcseain.livejournal.com]

Yes, i plan to be there this year, مشالله . I'll think on this a bit more, and perhaps post more on it.