j
5th June 2002, 04:49
I hear the word revolution tossed around. But what are we really saying when we use the word? Eugene Debs said that "the most heroic word in all languages is revolution." What are the current realities of revolution in this country?
The classic form of revolution is that of armed rebellion by the people of a state. For example, the American Revolution was an armed rebellion of the people of the American state against England. The Cuban Revolution was an armed rebellion against a represive regime. Is this the type of revolution we speak of today?
I've been reading the posts about "anti-american" and "raisethefist.com" and his arrests. I feel for the guy. I believe his heart is in the right place. I read some of the links offered in the string of posts under the topic of "read this." I read the arrest warrants and learned of the extent that our comrade was hacking and seemingly preparing for a revolution. I read about the tactics of "street fighting" and how to avert police. It really got me thinking about the idea of "revolution." Anti seems to be on the wave length that armed rebellion is our course of action. If we subvert the oppressors and fuck up their shit then we'll liberate the masses of suffereing people in this country and in effect change the world. Is this the proper means of revolution? I have to say no. While I sympathize with the cause of my comrade I can not neccessarily agree with his tactics. One must realize that we are not Che, Fidel, and Raul landing on the shore of a "third world" country and fighting a revolution in the mountains. This is america. We can't land a boat--we'd be shot. We can't set up cells like Castro did. The only reason that Castro (and Washington in 1776 for that matter) was successful is because the masses of people knew that something was wrong. People in the US don't know that something is wrong!! Sure there are a few of us, perhaps a few hundred or thousand. but there are millions in the US who are perfectly happy with their inadequate healthcare, shaky job security, high poverty and jobless rate, etc.
The Revolution needs to start with education. We need to let people know that there is a different way!!! I agree with Malcolm when he said by any means neccessary. But we can not advocate fucking up the system if only a fringe few agree with us. We must affect change in people's views. People like Jonathan Kozol and Noam Chomsky need to be heard. Not just in university and leftist settings but nation-wide!!! We need to begin the steady process of educating our fellow men on how there truly is a better way and if they think they have it OK now--explain how NOT OK it really is.
Sure its fun to fuck with police and talk shit. Its great to create chaos out of anger at the fucked up system. But we can not give in to these desires. We need to keep protesting. We need to move like minded individuals into places of power. This is how we affect change.
If the people realize that the system is really fucked up than we have begun to succeed. Once the people come to these realizations, then only then can we get support for rebellion. Change the minds of the people then start the rebellion.
If 80% of the people in this country support Bush (and I know it must be less--media spin is the culprit of this misinformation)than me grabbing an AK-47 shouting "fuck the system" and bumrushing the man is only going to get me killed. Its only going to let those that oppose us think we are crazy and out to lunch--that we are extremists. Wanting redistribution of wealth for the welfare of all people is not extreme. Don't let them pigeon hole us as extremists!!!!
j
The classic form of revolution is that of armed rebellion by the people of a state. For example, the American Revolution was an armed rebellion of the people of the American state against England. The Cuban Revolution was an armed rebellion against a represive regime. Is this the type of revolution we speak of today?
I've been reading the posts about "anti-american" and "raisethefist.com" and his arrests. I feel for the guy. I believe his heart is in the right place. I read some of the links offered in the string of posts under the topic of "read this." I read the arrest warrants and learned of the extent that our comrade was hacking and seemingly preparing for a revolution. I read about the tactics of "street fighting" and how to avert police. It really got me thinking about the idea of "revolution." Anti seems to be on the wave length that armed rebellion is our course of action. If we subvert the oppressors and fuck up their shit then we'll liberate the masses of suffereing people in this country and in effect change the world. Is this the proper means of revolution? I have to say no. While I sympathize with the cause of my comrade I can not neccessarily agree with his tactics. One must realize that we are not Che, Fidel, and Raul landing on the shore of a "third world" country and fighting a revolution in the mountains. This is america. We can't land a boat--we'd be shot. We can't set up cells like Castro did. The only reason that Castro (and Washington in 1776 for that matter) was successful is because the masses of people knew that something was wrong. People in the US don't know that something is wrong!! Sure there are a few of us, perhaps a few hundred or thousand. but there are millions in the US who are perfectly happy with their inadequate healthcare, shaky job security, high poverty and jobless rate, etc.
The Revolution needs to start with education. We need to let people know that there is a different way!!! I agree with Malcolm when he said by any means neccessary. But we can not advocate fucking up the system if only a fringe few agree with us. We must affect change in people's views. People like Jonathan Kozol and Noam Chomsky need to be heard. Not just in university and leftist settings but nation-wide!!! We need to begin the steady process of educating our fellow men on how there truly is a better way and if they think they have it OK now--explain how NOT OK it really is.
Sure its fun to fuck with police and talk shit. Its great to create chaos out of anger at the fucked up system. But we can not give in to these desires. We need to keep protesting. We need to move like minded individuals into places of power. This is how we affect change.
If the people realize that the system is really fucked up than we have begun to succeed. Once the people come to these realizations, then only then can we get support for rebellion. Change the minds of the people then start the rebellion.
If 80% of the people in this country support Bush (and I know it must be less--media spin is the culprit of this misinformation)than me grabbing an AK-47 shouting "fuck the system" and bumrushing the man is only going to get me killed. Its only going to let those that oppose us think we are crazy and out to lunch--that we are extremists. Wanting redistribution of wealth for the welfare of all people is not extreme. Don't let them pigeon hole us as extremists!!!!
j