A while back I had attempted to write something on this notion of the new leftian federalism, where ‘liberals’ are taking a more state’s rights approach for action. It is obviously a bit counterintuitive considering the past and still existing southern definition of state’s rights, but makes a whole lot of sense when examining the breakdown and absence of any progressive liberal influence on the national level.
In a lot of ways, this is a positive redirecting of resources toward causes where victories (however small) can be achieved more quickly. The the striking down of the same-sex marriage ban is a pretty damn good example. I just worry that people may become too comfortable with their smaller victories and become insulated in their success. What about the people in Arkansas? Are we to just have all gays and minorities move out to the coasts? Now, Id be down as anybody to have this gay-brown-ally utopia, but damn thatd be shady, like some well-decorated exclusive treehouse club.
I understand the organizational difficulty of keeping a base motivated when any kind of victory and change seems so far away (4 years?) but the big picture can’t be forgotten. If we just give the ole’ fuck all to the national govt as many of my peers would like to do (sounds a lot like the reagan lovers, right?), they will continue to be able to hold hearings on steroids as genocide continues. How the hell do we scare these fuckers into doing something?
{tangent}
Bringing class into it, legislative politics remain a leisure sport for a lot of wealthy folks. Since we are working on a smaller level, can we hook up the coalitions a bit more? Gay Rights groups helping out Richmond schools for example? Ella Baker Center getting funds from some Potheads or Environmentalists to lobby against the CYA maybe? Then all could connect with some international organizations etc. I know that I probably will be working with FACES soon (maybe going to the Philippines with them???) to connect fenceline communities in the PI with bay area ones. (all the while trying to let people know that nuclear power IS the way to go!).
In class the other day, there was some cliched ’system’ bashing, in of all places, my political economy class. Someone I know got all flustered and muttered something to the effect of “This is such bullshit, I’m over it, I have been disillusioned for so much longer than these people.” I did not really say much because what really is the point? If someone thinks that they can say something like that, not much hope of having an intelligent conversation with them right? But it got me thinking, as i am known to do. I cant really say what I was thinking, but I guarantee it was not nice. But yo, don’t come to me saying your (white/privileged) self has been disillusioned for longer than these people (including me) like it is some badge. While I know a lot of (white) (mostly) women that do amazing amazing work with direct positive consequences, these people in these classes are so bullshit! Talk talk talk…and what the hell were you disillusioned with so young….
So i have to bring up the Onion Activists and Daily Show Warriors…
I enjoy the Daily Show and the Onion as much as (if not more) than a lot of people, but I worry about the sense of superiority that it reinforces. There is a notion that just knowing how fucked up things are makes you 1. better than everyone else, and 2. part of the solution, which is obviously not the case. All y’all intellectual masturbators need to step down. I am not some cause-defending superhero, but I do give what I can to the community. I may not get all A’s at berkeley, but who gives a shit, 37 hours in moffitt wont really mean jack shit when I am in the studio with ciara and ludacris recording Oh pt.2…oh wait. I am just saying what everybody is sayin, get of yr ass, stop blogging (whoops) and go work for something.
You know what I mean.
Different Kitchen has really amazing political commentary and links to all of the news. Subscribe, yo!
Rant terminated…just had to get out aggression before i meet with a cat from UNC Chapel Hill who is starting a publication there.
finally: Happy Birthday Connor! I cant wait til I am 20. See you in a few and enjoy the finals.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Cono // Mar 17, 2005 at 11:37 am
Thank you, sir. I will enjoy finals to their fullest.
2 Melonious // Mar 17, 2005 at 1:45 pm
WARNING: Longest comment EVER!
Yo…let me kick down some knowledge. Okay, well, at least opinion. From the perspective I have now I understand how difficult it can be to collaborate without the support of foundations. Being an ally don’t cost shit but it also doesn’t ensure that there is much action to back up said “alliance”. The way foundations work can range from semi-micro-management to a completely hands off approach. Unfortunatly, the Right has more of the “completely hands off approach” funders dropping bank into anything that contributes their ideological dominance. While on the left we have a great number in the middle with only a handful on the other end of the spectrum. So, it’s hard, but not impossible to do the work that is expected from particular organizations while also working outside that- like working collaboration. If you ain’t got the paper it’s prolly not gonna happen.
I think some of these liberal folks that have wealth need to let go and just drop the cash so that folks can manage it for more progressive causes. Like, their is no unifying arc for racial justice work-its disparate We need collaborations that will foster change but need funders to help foster the collaborations. So it’s difficult to achieve social justice wins without all those folks working together. I am feeling you on the local connections -to the national -to the global. It’s happening as we speak though. There are some organizations like TIGRA that are attempting drop this framework into the laps of more old school orgs.
But let me add this- It’s time for folks to come together and say “this is the bigger picture and this is how our organization fits into it, these are our goals and this is where we can collaborate” and then we need more foundations (AF!!) to say “sounds good, here’s the cash.”
It’s ironic how the multiple oppressions which are interlaced with capitalism have to be countered with money.
Word is born.
Leave a Comment