Today's Topics:
1. Ireland, derrya narchists Black Cross - Solidarity is a
weapon! (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
2. Britain, Class War Daily MONDAY 29 JUNE 2020
(a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
3. ait russia: Anarchists Joined the environmental protest in
Cheremza [machine translation] (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
4. France, Union Communiste Libertaire AL #306 - Syndicalism,
Platform economy: Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Frichti ... A health
crisis ? It rolls ! (fr, it, pt)[machine translation]
(a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
5. Holand, vrije bond: STOP THE ANNEXATION - NO TO ZIONISM -
FREEDOM FOR PALESTINE (a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
6. avtonom: Against anarcho-liberalism and the poison of
identity politics - Nikolai Dedok [machine translation]
(a-infos-en@ainfos.ca)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Prisoner solidarity is vitally important work for any group of activist proclaiming to be anarchist or an anarchist organisation. ---- Derry
Anarchist Black Cross was set up with the aim of supporting anarchist and class struggle prisoners. The Anarchist Black Cross was originated
in Tsarist Russia to organise aid for political prisoners. ---- In the late 1960s the organisation resurfaced in Britain, where it first
worked to aid prisoners of the Spanish resistance fighting the dictator Franco's police. ---- Now it has expanded and groups are found in
many countries around the world including here in Ireland. We support anarchist and other class struggle prisoners, fund-raise on behalf of
prisoners in need of funds for legal cases or otherwise, and organise demonstrations of solidarity with imprisoned anarchists and other
prisoners.
If you know of anyone on the inside who would like to be added to our prisoner lists, or you would like to get involved then please email us:
Over the next few weeks Derry Anarchist Black Cross will meet locally to look at prisoner support and writing to prisoners.If you would like
to take part then please get in touch.
http://derryanarchists.blogspot.com/2020/06/derry-anarchist-black-cross-solidarity.html
------------------------------
Message: 2
Today in Class War Daily ---- I bite TERFs ---- Class War Tory Carvery ---- Letter to the Editor ---- Got a text for us? Email
classwardaily@gmx.com ---- Class War Daily 29/06/2020 https://classwar.world/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CW-Daily-59-200629.pdf ---- I BITE
TERFS ---- Saturday saw the LGBT community stamp their colours to the mast of Black Lives Matter (BLM) with a vast and empowering protest
that marched from Green Park into the heart of Westminster to demand equality for all. ---- Previous BLM protests in London had seen
sizeable contingents of activists from the LGBTQ+ scene join in solidarity with the BAME community against a common enemy. Not least because
of increasing awareness over the shocking levels of discrimination suffered by LGBTQ+ people of colour. Recent moves by the tories to
mothball the Gender Recognition Act while empowering the police to harass black teenagers with their emergency COVID powers has created
genuine feelings of joint struggle between those who are feeling the sharp end the states endemic violence.
The mood was one of defiance
and a desire to unite the struggles
of those whom suffer the most
at the hands of this government.
---------------------------------------------
Letter to the editor...
Dear CWD,
We were amused to see that
Keir Millburn, the big noise
at PlanC, has now, post
Corbyn, written a piece
for Novara Media. He was
once promoting democratic
socialist unity but now
casts shade on erstwhile
momentum comrades.
Meanwhile NovaraMedia
- who raised cash from us
all back in the day, on the
basis that they would be
giving good anti-capitalist
news - have morphed into
luxury lounge lizards, opeds for hire, popping up to
debate former RCP pundits
in commie-on-commie
bitchfests whilst the liberals
lap up the clickbaitery.
So NM has published KM
as if he/they mattered. And
his topic? The joy of internal
hooplas in democratic
centralist socialism.
Moreover, the joy of
English socialism because
he doesn't even address the
politics of Wales, Ireland or
Scotland. And in the midst
of an international black
led uprising - NovaraMedia
puts a photo of an almost
totally white demonstration
to accompany his piece.
Can they get more irrelevant?
For many anarchists, the lure
of anarcho-corbynism under
McDonnell Corbyn & Abbott
was that radical socialist
policies would become part
of government.
Everyone understands
why. Being refuseniks to
semi-democratic liberal
politics is hard in the midst
of carnivorous attacks by
rampant disaster capitalism.
Even if that dream was
possible. It is now over. The
head of the School Prefects
has control of Labour now.
Community activism, mutual
aid, BLM, trans rights,
antifascism, standing up to
the police - this is radical
politics now. Labour, PlanC,
NovaraMedia - it's all dead
in a ditch. 2020 has different
priorities. It's not in tedious
elections to the central
committee. It's in the streets.
Come and join us with the
many not the few.
Fanny & Stella
https://classwar.uk/2020/06/29/i-bite-terfs/
------------------------------
Message: 3
The village of Cherems in the Novokuznetsk district of Kuzbass has become a new symbol of environmental resistance in Russia. Residents of
Cheremza, Bezrukov, the city of Myski and other cities and towns are protesting against the construction of a loading station for the
Kuznetskiy Yuzhny coal mine literally a few hundred meters from residential buildings. Anarchists from Novokuznetsk arrived at the protest
camp and expressed their solidarity with him. We, anarcho-syndicalists, also express our support for the self-organized struggle of people
who defend their right to a decent and healthy life! ---- If the station is built, environmental activists say, dense clubs of coal dust
will cover the village of Cheremza. People will have nothing to breathe ... On June 9, construction equipment owned by SibGeoProekt SGN
(contractor of the Kuznetsk Yuzhny opencast mine for the construction of a coal loading station) has begun to change the channel of the
Kalandas river. These works threaten the loss of stability of the bridge supports and their collapse. In addition, the passage of
construction equipment under the low spans of four railway bridges is prohibited, again due to the threat of collapse. Representatives of
the company refused to communicate with residents and provide permits for the use of the river channel as a road, for changing the river
channel and pouring metallurgical slag into the channel and for passing heavy construction equipment.
It is not surprising that this time the protagonist of the protest was the railway transport security guard Aleksey Chispiyakov, whose
duties, in fact, include protecting the bridges. While patrolling, he tried to prevent the dangerous actions of the builders, but the police
did not intervene, and the driver of one piece of equipment tried to pounce on Chispiyakov. to run over a recorded violation during the
performance of official duties of Chispiyakov. Self-organized help began to be attracted to the activist, who had challenged arbitrariness.
Vyacheslav Krechetov joined the shift, then the residents of Cheremza, the neighboring settlements, arrived in time. A group of activists
left the village of Apanas, Novokuznetsk and Alekseyevka to help the protesters.
On June 13, the day work began, dozens of residents stopped the equipment, stayed in place for the night, lighted bonfires and continued the
duty that they started during the day ( http://stopcoal.ru/2020/06/13/cheremza/ ). On June 14, protesters blocked the way for equipment and
organized a real protest camp: they began to establish strong tents, organized two posts in key areas of the enemy's possible breakthrough.
Requirements for the authorities were formulated. Residents of Cheremza elected their delegates to the village council, which held its first
meeting on June 15. On this day, the protest has become really massive! (According to information from the participants of the protest camp)
The authorities, as usual, resorted to their usual reaction - repression. The camp was blocked. The police detained two activists - Vladimir
Gorenkov, who was left in the department before the trial, and Sergey Sheremetyev (subjected to forced medical examination and illegal
search). On July 16, the builders tried to break through again, but were stopped. In the evening, the head of the Novokuznetsk district
appeared at the protest camp. He actually acknowledged the indignation of the indignant inhabitants (Information from the participants of
the protest camp). But at the same time, the boss tried to threaten. He said that coal loading is better than agriculture, and if residents
refuse, the village will not receive anything from the budget ( https://echo.msk.ru/blog/ecodefense/2661509-echo/ ).
On June 17, the mass appeal and articles of journalists brought the situation in Cheremz already to the all-Russian level. The response of
the authorities and the police was to increase repression. In addition to direct pressure on the protesters, they also resorted to such a
method as discrediting and undermining the work of the camp. To him began to deliver drug addicts. Thus, the authorities hoped to organize
an occasion for reprisals against activists and dispersal. Therefore, on June 20, protesters were forced to organize self-protection,
creating a group to maintain order and combat its violators. Meanwhile, the protest continued to grow. On June 21 and 22, residents of other
cities and towns began to gather at the camp. Artists came to support the protesters. On June 23, tent camps functioned, broken at the
posts. Improving the organization, responsibilities were distributed in the protest camp. The railway department sent a conclusion that the
actions of the coal miners were unlawful. On the same day, protesters put forward a new ultimatum to the head of the district, demanding the
liquidation of the town of builders and the removal of construction equipment. Having not received a positive response, the protesters began
a collective hunger strike on June 25, threatening to turn it into a mass one. On the same day, builders began to export equipment in an
organized manner (According to information from participants in the protest camp).
"The vehicles were withdrawn all last night, but the official statement on the withdrawal from the management of the mine and the
administration has not yet been received, so the headquarters has not yet announced the abolition of the hunger strike," said Nikolai
Metalnikov, environmental activist from Kuzbass on the morning of June 26. According to a local resident Alexei Chispiyakov, on June 25,
prosecutors worked at the site. "The withdrawal of equipment began, the environmental prosecutor arrived, recorded a violation of
environmental laws, we will wait for the results of inspections," he told Tiblok1.
According to Yuri Nedorezov, a hunger strike participant, residents will continue the rally, seeking documentary guarantees for the
completion of work: "So that they do order for themselves and officially submit documents that there will never again be such a disgrace
here." While there are two starving people, but, according to Yuri Nedorezov, other residents are ready to join, they are standing in line (
https://tayga.info/156474 )
THE FIGHT CONTINUES!
https://aitrus.info/node/5507
------------------------------
Message: 4
You may have seen them passing in the street or in government spots paying tribute to the "everyday heroes": confinement or not, the
delivery men and women on bikes or scooters have not stopped driving. The case of these platform employees is quite symptomatic of the
opportunities that the crisis may represent for companies. ---- Finding that the lives of workers are worth less, for the capitalists, than
their profits, has never been so obvious: not only platforms like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Stuart or Frichti do their "business as usual"[1],
but they are taking advantage of the crisis to prosper. The balance of power at work is based on the definition of what remains "useful".
To be heard, delivery men and women have, since 2017, formed their own collectives and unions[2]. The Collective of independent deliverers
in Paris (Clap) is one of the best known, but there are also several CGT affiliates: the Scala in Nantes, the Scudd in Dijon, the SCVG in
Bordeaux, or the CGT Uber Eats- union. Deliveroo from Lyon. SUD-Commerce and CGT-Personal services also often support struggles. All these
structures demanded a "right to containment" and the closure of the platforms, calling on their colleagues not to work.
"There are too many risks, too many transmission factors, parameters to take into account," explains Jérémy Wick, an activist from the
SCVG-CGT, contaminated by Covid. Many elevator buttons, doors to push, the restaurateurs do not necessarily respect the sanitary rules ..."
His union demands the stopping of the service during the periods of confinement and, above all, compensation for all and all the deliverers:
"It is a service based on comfort, it has no place with current measures."[3]. If delivery is useful - for sick people, disabled people, the
elderly - one thing is certain: having meals prepared at home delivered under these conditions of precariousness and need is not a necessity.
The delivery men and women mobilized remind that in addition to being "useless", delivery in an epidemic period is dangerous: it is a
decisive factor of contamination because, between restaurateurs, colleagues and consumers, couriers and couriers have dozens of different
contacts a day.
Opposite, the platforms respond to these criticisms by diversifying their activities and by engaging in large advertising campaigns surfing
on the glorification of caregivers, by presenting themselves as being part of the "basicnecessity" industries .
This involves two commercial strategies: first, to improve its image by "social-washing" by presenting itself as a support for the
commercial activity of restaurants which are allowed to remain open for deliveries ; as a way to bring a little sweetness to the difficult
daily life of customers ; but also as support for nursing staff through a donation campaign.
At the same time, Deliveroo and Uber Eats have developed a delivery service for food stores that have remained open, such as Carrefour or
Monoprix. In addition to public services - like the town halls which usually take care of delivering meals to the elderly, for example -
"foodtech" companies have tried to make themselves indispensable, in the name of the general interest. Representatives of Uber Eats saw the
crisis as a "business opportunity" which made it possible to "accelerate the movement" , long envisaged, of reconversion towards the sector
of home shopping delivery[4].
Given the risk of spreading the virus, "foodtech" companies try to make it appear that they are not only offering "comfort" services.
DELIVEROO
Delivery platforms are not only able to adapt to the health crisis, but also use it as a lever for the expansion of self-entrepreneurship
and therefore disguised wages. Since the beginning of the crisis, we have observed the recruitment of micro-entrepreneurs to work in stores
such as Monoprix, Franprix, Leclerc and Carrefour via the StaffMe application[5]which offers sorts of temporary assignments. The difference
is that the use of the micro-entrepreneur scheme frees companies from their employer contributions. This massive recourse to
self-entrepreneurship is justified by the shortage of staff due to the crisis, but there is no guarantee that workers will not continue to
practice under this status[6].
What we learn from the platform economy on the crisis is that the questioning of the capitalist productive system is not obvious. The
economic crises can be an opportunity for capitalism to renew itself. The crisis poses the question of what is considered necessary or not,
and can lead to a form of awareness. But it can also be a springboard towards greater flexibility in the labor market, camouflaged by a
pseudo generosity of companies.
UCL Lille Group
Not salaried, but well exploited
"Platform capitalism" is an economic model in which companies take the form of digital platforms playing the role of intermediaries between
clients and service providers, between demand and supply of work. Besides the use of digital technology, one of the peculiarities of this
model is that those who sell their work are individuals and individuals who are often unprofessional and self-employed and who, if they are
supposed to own their work tool, are yet little autonomous in the organization of their activity.
Validate
[1] Niels Van Doorn, Eva Mos and Jelke Bosma "Disrupting"business as usual": How Covid-19 is impacting platform-mediated labor and social
reproduction", translation on Agitationautonome.com , April 17, 2020
[2] Libertarian alternative of March and October 2017, and March 2018
[3] France 3, March 20, 2020
[4] "Containment: Deliveroo and Uber Eats replace restaurants with supermarkets", Challenges , April 9, 2020.
[5] "Pandemic: Monoprix also calls on autoentrepreneurs to fill its shelves", Streetpress.com , April 9, 2020.
[6] "Coronavirus: how mass retailers are recruiting self-entrepreneurs in the face of the crisis", Marianne , April 8, 2020.
https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Economie-de-plateforme-Deliveroo-Uber-Eats-Frichti-Une-crise-sanitaire-Ca-roule
------------------------------
Message: 5
On 1 July 2020, Israel will annex the West Bank - that is why we are calling on everyone to join us for a protest at the US Consulate in
Amsterdam that evening at 6:30 PM. We protest against the attempts to liquidate Palestine and the liberation movement and we fight for the
liberation of Palestine from the river to the sea. At the same time, protests will take place all over the world, from Ramallah to New York
and across Europe. ---- The plan to annex the West Bank comes from the new fascist Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz,
and is fully supported by US President Donald Trump. Still, it is not a new plan, but a continuation of the Zionist colonization of
Palestine that is ongoing for over one hundred years.
Although the Dutch government is officially opposed to the annexation, it will undoubtedly support Israel when confronted with Palestinian
resistance. We therefore call on the Dutch government to immediately impose sanctions against Israel and stop supplying weapons and aid to
the colonial regime.
During this time of global protests against the annexation, millions of people around the world are standing up against anti-black racism.
We unconditionally support our black comrades in the fight against colonialism, imperialism and racism, and demand justice for all the
martyrs, from George Floyd in the US to Ahmad Erakat in Palestine and Tomy Holten in the Netherlands. We fight the collaboration of our
oppressors in the US, Palestine and the Netherlands with international solidarity. Therefore, on 1 July we will also participate in the
commemoration and celebration of the abolition of slavery.
We stand for the liberation of Palestine from the river to the sea and the rebuilding of the Palestine liberation movement. The Palestinian
Authority, which considers "security coordination" with Israel more important than the liberation of Palestine, has no role to play in that
liberation movement. We fight for the realization of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people - the right to national
self-determination and the Right to Return.
We declare our solidarity with the pro-Palestine Dam Group, whose protest on Sunday was banned by Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema. This is yet
another curtailment of the right to protest for Palestine in Amsterdam!
No to the annexation of the West Bank!
For the liberation of Palestine from the river to the sea!
Long live the martyrs and the Palestinian resistance!
P.S. In accordance with the corona-virus measures, we will remain at 1.5 meters during this protest and call on everyone to wear a mask.
This protest is supported by the following organizations:
Samidoun Palestinian Prisoners Solidarity Network
Palestinian Community NL (PGNL)
BDS Netherlands
Vrije Bond Secretariaat
https://www.vrijebond.org/protest-nee-tegen-annexatie-vrijheid-voor-palestina/
------------------------------
Message: 6
Identity politics is a set of political practices of modern Western leftists and anarchists. According to her, the fight against oppression
is, first of all, not a fight against political and economic inequality, but a fight against the "privileged majority" and for the rights of
minorities: gays, lesbians, non-whites, Muslims, etc. ---- In recent years, the policy of identity has become a factor determining the
activist vector of most anarchist groups in Europe and the United States. So, going to the information resources of many anarchist groups,
we will see that most of them are more concerned with the rights of transgender people, black women, fetshaming and the rights of Muslims,
than with the issues of the current political agenda of their country, or, especially, the class struggle.
Supporters of identity politics are very jealous of their ideological dominance. Those anarchists who try to criticize their approaches,
they call "fascists", "sexists" and "racists".
It is enough to recall at least two cases: the defeat of the anarchist library by supporters of an identity policy , because Islam was
criticized within its walls, and the disruption of the anarchist Christian Williams by feminists - because he suggested not trying to expel
those accused of harassment, but trying to re-socialize them.
Cases were commonplace when people with afro-braids and Iroquois were forbidden at anarchist events - this is a "cultural appropriation", or
when people tried to exclude people from social networks for incorrect comments on social networks.
Against this background, the light at the end of the tunnel looks like the text of the British anarchist group Woke anarchist collective
entitled "Against Anarcho-liberalism and the Poison of Identity Politics" , which substantiates the harmfulness and destructiveness of
identity politics for the anarchist movement. The text had a rather high resonance in anarchist circles and was already translated into five
languages.
Against anarcho-liberalism and the poison of identity politics
Anarchism in the UK is a joke. Symbolizing the once stubborn and hard struggle for freedom, this word remained just a conductor of the
narrow-minded, separatist and hateful identity policy for middle-class activists, concerned about protecting their own privileges. We are
writing this pamphlet to take away anarchism from identity politics.
We identify as anarchists who see their roots in the political struggle of the past. We are anti-fascists, anti-racists, feminists. We want
to put an end to all oppression and are contributing to the struggle on these fronts. Thus, our starting point is not the sophisticated
language of the left-liberal academy, but anarchism and its principles: freedom, cooperation, mutual assistance and solidarity for all. The
hierarchies of power, no matter how they call themselves, are our enemies.
Identity politics is part of the society we want to destroy.
The policy of identity is not liberating, but reformist.
This is nothing but fertile ground for middle-class politicians preoccupied with identity. Its long-term goal is the complete inclusion of
traditionally oppressed groups in a hierarchical, competitive social system - capitalism, and not the destruction of this system. The end
result is "rainbow capitalism", just a more effective and sophisticated form of social control, when everyone gets a chance to participate
in the game. Separated in their "safe spaces" from their own kind of people, supporters of identity politics become isolated from the real
world.
A good example is queer theory and how it was sold to corporate executives. Not so long ago, the concept of "queer" was considered something
disruptive, talking about undetectable sexuality, the desire of society to identify and diagnose everything from our mental health to
sexuality itself. However, lacking class criticism, the concept was soon appropriated by proponents of identity politics and professors to
become yet another exceptional label for an indifferent clique that has anything but liberation on its mind. And the farther the bigger, the
queer becomes an excellent cover for some to proclaim that they are also oppressed, and thereby avoid criticism for their vile bourgeois policy.
We don't want to hear about the next DIY event, queer night or squatter festival, which should not be attended by anyone except those who
speak the correct language, use the correct dress code or make friends with the right people. Return to those times when you had something
sincere, meaningful, disruptive and dangerous to the status quo!
Identity policy is narrowly targeted, it excludes and divides people
At a time when, more than ever, we need to go beyond our small circles, the policy of identity is completely turned inward. And this,
perhaps, is not an accident. Concerned in words about inclusiveness, it becomes completely "exclusive", exclusive, dividing the world into
two more groups: Undoubtedly Oppressed and Inbornly Privileged. Between these two extremes a little gray zone is allowed, and a conflict
usually develops between the two above groups.
We agree, not only in the classroom is always the case. But if we cannot move together to understand who really rules, we have no hope of
getting anywhere. If such a view were truly liberating for all, then their policy would not have slipped into the constant separation and
setting of some groups against others - in the spirit in which capitalism and nationalism do it. Questions that erode the simple binary
"oppressed against privileged", such as: personal life experiences or injuries (which simply cannot be reduced to identity or membership in
an oppressed group) or things that people are not comfortable talking about, such as mental health or class purposely ignored by proponents
of identity politics.
And finally, the most obvious point: the problem we are dealing with goes far beyond kyrphobia or transphobia - this is the whole damn world
system of slavery, destruction, exploitation and prisons. We do not want to see anyone in prisons, whether it is a trans-woman or a
cisgender white man (which, by the way, make up the vast majority of prisoners in the UK).
It is not surprising that policies based on such an exception lead to internal squabbles and to look at each other as enemies, thereby
making us more vulnerable to the exploitation of middle-class identity policy managers.
Identity Policy - A Tool of the Secured
It is blatantly used to abuse members of well-educated groups to expand and maintain its own power through politicking, dogma, and bullying.
Such activists provide a comfortable background for this, using the academic language, filling themselves with a sense of superiority and
confidence in using the time and energy of other activists to shift their focus to themselves and their feelings. In fact, a lack of work
ethic, vulnerability, preoccupation with security and language, and not with material conditions and real changes, are what betray the true
class nature of many proponents of identity politics. We see how they "call out" others for the slightest deviation from the code or
practices that they single-handedly imposed, assuming that everyone is obliged to think like they are or at least have to spend time to
learn how to what they believe in. Thus, the reality of everyday class struggle is ignored. Here they are trying to create a false identity
between being Undoubtedly Oppressed and belonging to the working class. On the contrary, many Undoubtedly Oppressed people adhere to liberal
values rooted in capitalist ideology, rather than being proponents of liberation.
A policy based on having the right language and access to the right tone and behavior is the default tool of oppression. Such a policy
certainly does not represent the interests of those on whose behalf it is allegedly being done - those who are at the bottom of society.
Anarchist analysis just recognizes that people from oppressed groups, their policies and demands made on behalf of the Undoubtedly
Oppressed, can nevertheless be completely liberal, bourgeois and pro-capitalist.
Identity Policy is Hierarchical
It is hierarchical because it strengthens the power and status of the middle class. The imposition of certain dogmas allows this policy not
to change. These dogmas include:
Creation of a priori hierarchy of oppressions
The creation and use of terms aimed at provoking an emotional response ("trigger", "I feel unsafe", "terf"[1], "fascist"), and those who are
not members of certain groups are denied the right to an opinion about the action of these groups
The idea that group members should in no case do any "work"[2], explaining their actions to those who are not part of the group
Declaring any alternative discourse "violence."
The idea that no one can question the words of a representative or a member of these groups (no matter how bad their policies are), on the
basis that they belong to the Undoubtedly Oppressed.
These dogmas are needed to maintain norms both in subcultures and in society as a whole. Anarchists should be skeptical of any tendency
based on uncontested principles, and especially those that create hierarchies so obviously.
Identity politics uses fear, danger and guilt
It is important to understand this point from two sides. Firstly, such tactics are more likely to disappoint than to empower what it claims
to be. It reinforces the idea that people are fragile and vulnerable victims, not agents of change. Therefore, they need to take someone's
leadership. Although safer spaces and language are important, the level of obsession with them is not a sign of strength, but simply
self-reinforcing victimization.
Through social anxiety, this tactic gives everyone else (except the Undoubtedly Oppressed) the blame for being somehow oppressed and now,
therefore, fully responsible for the gigantic systems of oppression, from which, in fact, only a few benefit. Also, this tactic allows
individuals within minority groups who have a profit from the state and capitalist structures to evade any responsibility for their
oppressive actions and behavior full of prejudice.
Anarchist analysis must bear in mind that members of oppressed groups can also occupy elite and repressive positions, they must also be
challenged, and not cowardly given the road.
Identity politics infected anarchist spaces
Unfortunately, anarchism was emasculated in pursuit of virtue signalling, in order to be "good allies". Alliance is too often embodied in
the form of blindly accepting the policies of the Undoubtedly Oppressed, no matter how disgusting it or their personal behavior. This
voluntary submission of oneself to the politics of others is complete helplessness and the last thing anarchists should do.
Self-appointed leaders who disagree with our policies need not be given a platform. It is funny that we allowed groups with little or no
radicalism to penetrate our spaces and close any discussions, and assert that all who do not agree with their point of view are fascists.
And this is not to mention that fascism is a concept that cannot be trivialized in this way.
It is also surprising that no one here sees direct parallels with the politics of the right. For example, how the stigmatization of
feminists by "feminists" reflects the current use of the word "fascist" by trans-activists against radical feminists, or the slogans calling
for the killing of "terf" are constantly heard in anarchist spaces both online and in real life. It is shocking that this misogyny is
encouraged and not condemned.
Anarchism is against the gods
Is there a phrase that better generalizes anarchism than "neither gods nor masters"? Hierarchy and exclusion are opposites of anarchism. At
one time, anarchists killed politicians, and innumerable anarchists gave their lives for the struggle against power. And we continue to deny
any politicians, be it Tories, Labor or those who see themselves as leaders of movements grouped around identity. Following someone's
leadership is against the most basic principles of anarchism, because we believe that everyone is equal. Likewise, we do not accept the idea
that we cannot question the position of other activists, or those who call themselves anarchists - which very often requires an identity policy.
Anarchism does not accept patriarchal religions and we have a long history of opposing them. It is disconcerting that so many who pretend to
be anarchists in Great Britain today are apologists for those who want to avoid any criticism of their own sexism and patriarchy or even
continue to practice their oppressive religions.[3]And they advocate for them only because conservative reactionaries have appointed them
scapegoats.
The annihilation of anarchism as a project is carried out and encouraged in the name of an identity policy in order to simply pacify those
who are not interested in anarchism as such. And if someone rises and tries to criticize, they are greeted with insults or even physical
attacks - behavior that was previously unacceptable and is now tolerated, because it goes on behalf of those who are considered oppressed.
Here we see the complete failure of anarchist politics from those who supposedly represent it. Let's start by calling Freedom News to
account for their shameful support for groups that have little to do with anarchism.
Anarchism is not an identity policy
Anarchism is not another identity, as some are trying to argue. Such statements are a typical gross reflex of supporters of identity
politics, as well as their way of avoiding answering urgent political challenges. This position also does not provide an understanding of
how identity politics is used to manipulate and undermine anarchist spaces for personal gain. Of course, the "anarchist" can also be
declared an identity, and anarchists are often often criticized in the case for elitist behavior. However, the similarities end there.
Unlike the identity politicians from the SWP(Socialist Workers Party of Great Britain, approx. Per.), Most anarchists do not try to recruit
followers, instead they try to spread ideas that will support communities in the struggle for themselves. Our agenda is radically different
in the sense that its essence is not to build personal strength and status. Anarchism inspires people to question everything, even what we
ourselves say - in the name of freedom.
This strictly contradicts the characteristics inherent in an identity policy with its division into those who are in the group and those who
are outside the group. Anarchism, on the contrary, is a set of ethical principles that determines how we will respond to the world. It is
open to everyone who wants to watch and listen, something that everyone can feel - regardless of which background they came from. The
results will often be different, since everything falls on personal characteristics, each person's life experience and other aspects of
identity.
You do not need to know what the word "anarchy" means in order to feel it. This is a simple and self-sufficient set of ideas that can serve
as anything - both a guide in a specific conflict, and the basis for future societies. It makes sense to turn to anarchist principles in
matters of identity politics when we all, for a start, are united around these principles.
Being gay or having brown skin means having a similar experience, and obviously having social connections and a sense of empathy for those
who are in the same group with you. However, life is much more complicated and in reality you can have much more in common with a white
queer woman than with a cisgender mulatto man.
An identity policy reflects nationalist chauvinism when different groups seek ways to take root in power based on categories defined by the
capitalist order. We, on the contrary, are internationalists who believe in justice for all. Anarchism should give voice to all, not just
minorities. The claim that oppression, they say, concerns only minorities and not the masses is a product of bourgeois politics that has
never been to the advantage of revolutionary change.
Identity Policy Reinforces Far Right
Finally, it is important to note the important role that identity politics plays in the hands of the far right. In the best case, the
"radical" policy for many looks like narcissism, fixation on oneself .. At worst, middle-class identity policy advocates do an excellent job
of alienating the already disadvantaged white cisgender people who make up the majority of the UK population. And now they are drifting more
and more towards the right.
To ignore this fact and continue the struggle for an identity policy would be the height of arrogance. Yes, while the fascist movements are
raising their heads, the anarchists are still distracted by the politics of separation. For too many, identity politics is a simple game,
leading to a total disruption of activist circles.
Last comment
Anarchism is interaction, mutual assistance, solidarity and the struggle with real centers of power. Anarchist spaces should not be a place
for those who want to fight those who are near you. We anarchists have an honorable history of internationalism and diversity. So let's get
our policies back for a truly inclusive future.
Notes
TERF - Trans-exclusive Radical Feminists - approx. Per. Transexclusive radical feminists. A type of feminists who believe that transgender
women are not "real" women, and therefore cannot be accepted into the feminine community.
"Emotional work" is the term of some activists, used in the context of the fact that any entry into discussion with someone who disagrees
with you is an "emotional work" that you are not required to perform. The concept is often used to legitimize the refusal to defend one's
point of view and expose an opponent as a callous and cruel person, requiring others to work for him.
This, apparently, is about Muslims, perceived by supporters of the theory of identity as oppressed by default.
Translation: Nikolai Dedok
https://avtonom.org/author_columns/protiv-anarho-liberalizma-i-yada-politiki-identinchosti
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