Sans Suburbia

[PopoSmash!]

Well, I should say that I have a dilemma. You see, I am a middle-class suburbanite. A discontent one.
More and more, I realize the utter complacency of the system and people around me. More and more, I realize the apathetic contribution towards oppression my privileged status has doled against those who find themselves in far less favorable circumstances. The callousness of the system I find myself so unwillingly participating in is really starting to strike my nerves.
So help me, comrades, how can I exist peaceably and self-consistently in this damned system without needing to crawl under a rock and isolate myself from modern society?

Quite frankly, I find myself in a tough spot, still enrolled in high-school, and surrounded by those unsympathetic to the cause. It's very irritating being a commie teenager in a society so averse to social change, and so distant from the capability to act.
At the moment, without drawing up any excuses, I see little possibility to take action, and no resources to contribute or utilize.

So, I've resolved to compensate by preparation for future initiative. With this objective in mind, I've decided to devote my time to the enhancement of my ability to engage in labour or activism that furthers the workers' struggle.
I should first address the issue of precisely what skills would be most needed for my objective. In the numerous lines of focus that one could take for the cause of social change, my priority and interest is fixed on the plight of those living in underdeveloped conditions. Specifically, I'm interested in the disadvantaged conditions of minority groups, primarily native.
Given my interest in a scientific field of study, what task would best serve an under-developed minority community? And given my relative lack of resources, what can I do to prepare myself independently (and freely) for such a career path?

As a clarification, given my sympathies to EZLN and under-developed natives, I'd like to know how feasible it would be for me to bring about developmental assistance to such a movement. I'm curious as to whether they'd require such a position as sustainable agriculturist (one of the fields I'm considering)?

[ellipsis]

The Zapatistas don't need or want your help in the fields. It is not so simple to get in the the EZLN or even into their communities. They would tell you to make revolution in your own country.

I am really involved with urban farming. Sounds like you might wanna check out a local community garden.

[Bitter Ashes]

Well said. There's only really two things that the Zapatistas sometimes ask for from the outside world which is to spread the word about what's going on to form your own solutions and occasionaly they do ask journalists to come and watch them so that the army hesitates to get too shooty shooty.

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

Don't worry about the condescending "How can I help the poor people?" stuff. It might seem like there's a lack of sympathetic people and resources around you, but they'll start to come out of the woodwork if you get yr shit organized and together. Think in terms of what you can do immediately - little acts of resistance can start drawing people together. Are there ever military recruiters in yr school? Fuck with them. If folk see you in action, they might realize their own potential - and from there you can organize a crew to fuck with military recruiters. Are there blank walls that could be covered in inspiring messages? Make it happen. If yr crew is down, then do it together - stuff like this builds confidence and trust. If spray-painting makes you nervous, try wheatpasting . . . wheatpasting the town with agit-prop can get people talking, and once people are talking you can start to figure out who's down. From there you can build to . . . well, who knows what.
If you're stoked on indigenous struggles, then go start learning from indigenous communities: friendship centres often have events that are open to the public. Land reclamations and blockades often have specific things they want from supporters - whether bodies, food, or money. Throw a benefit or get on a bus!
Better still show yr solidarity with actions - once you've built to the point of having a solid group of people, block roads, drop banners, and take some direct action to stop the day-to-day functioning of the capitalist machine. As some Spanish anarchists put it, it's easy to attack.
Point being: Get going! Struggle for yrself and take on shit in yr own life. That's how you'll find people and resources. The best solidarity isn't on the model of developmental assistence (or else liberalism would have solved the world's problems) - it's about taking on capitalism in the here-and-now. Do it!

[FreeFocus]

lol, "underdeveloped natives." I know your intentions are good but that sounds patronizing. If you want to go into science (as a doctor?), you can volunteer at free medical clinics, stuff like that. In the meantime, get involved in existing struggles. You can write for your school paper from a left-wing perspective.

Frankly though, the revolution isn't going to come from suburbia. I would tell you to keep educating yourself and striving for a future for yourself where you can get involved on the ground. If opportunities arise to agitate and educate, take them.

[PopoSmash!]

I do understand that it could very well be considered condescending or patronizing for someone from my background to speak of the disadvantage that the natives face, but it is, in fact, a reality. My intent here, however, was not to label them with the status of helplessness, as if I could ever speak for their own interests or act on their behalf, or assert any position of dependence upon them.

I guess my interest here is becoming one of them, and not some condescending foreigner. And I figured that the more education that is present within their ranks would inevitably help their cause long term.

[Fawkes]

I guess my interest here is becoming one of them, and not some condescending foreigner. And I figured that the more education that is present within their ranks would inevitably help their cause long term.

But you can't become one of them any more than I could have become a Black Panther 45 years ago. You're discontent as you said, you have your own problems, so do what you can to combat those problems and raise consciousness and do progressive things in your own community. If we all went down to Chiapas, nothing would get done in our own homes, and we need agitation and action everywhere.

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

But you can't become one of them any more than I could have become a Black Panther 45 years ago. You're discontent as you said, you have your own problems, so do what you can to combat those problems and raise consciousness and do progressive things in your own community. If we all went down to Chiapas, nothing would get done in our own homes, and we need agitation and action everywhere.

Aye. Smash some Popo!

[Decolonize The Left]

Well, I should say that I have a dilemma. You see, I am a middle-class suburbanite. A discontent one.
More and more, I realize the utter complacency of the system and people around me. More and more, I realize the apathetic contribution towards oppression my privileged status has doled against those who find themselves in far less favorable circumstances. The callousness of the system I find myself so unwillingly participating in is really starting to strike my nerves.
So help me, comrades, how can I exist peaceably and self-consistently in this damned system without needing to crawl under a rock and isolate myself from modern society?

Quite frankly, I find myself in a tough spot, still enrolled in high-school, and surrounded by those unsympathetic to the cause. It's very irritating being a commie teenager in a society so averse to social change, and so distant from the capability to act.
At the moment, without drawing up any excuses, I see little possibility to take action, and no resources to contribute or utilize.

So, I've resolved to compensate by preparation for future initiative. With this objective in mind, I've decided to devote my time to the enhancement of my ability to engage in labour or activism that furthers the workers' struggle.
I should first address the issue of precisely what skills would be most needed for my objective. In the numerous lines of focus that one could take for the cause of social change, my priority and interest is fixed on the plight of those living in underdeveloped conditions. Specifically, I'm interested in the disadvantaged conditions of minority groups, primarily native.
Given my interest in a scientific field of study, what task would best serve an under-developed minority community? And given my relative lack of resources, what can I do to prepare myself independently (and freely) for such a career path?

As a clarification, given my sympathies to EZLN and under-developed natives, I'd like to know how feasible it would be for me to bring about developmental assistance to such a movement. I'm curious as to whether they'd require such a position as sustainable agriculturist (one of the fields I'm considering)?

Sounds like you primarily need to get out of the suburbs, but I imagine this will happen in time with your graduation of high school.

That said, until then you may wish to develop what they call "extra-curricular activities." This mostly consists of volunteering somewhere, preferably somewhere you feel interested in and want to be involved. This is the most obvious solution to your problem.

If you want to prepare yourself for something like going to a foreign country and joining a fight for liberation, you'll need to condition yourself physically and mentally. You should exercise everyday and eat as best as you can. You should also probably learn a form of martial arts and/or self-defense. Read as much as you can and get involved wherever possible. Learning a second/third language is also a vital resource.
I personally do not suggest that you attempt to join the Zapatistas for the reason already stated in this thread. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't be in shape and have your wits about you though.

- August