βIn the end we lost the battle too.β βWhat?β βI mean the victory belongs to the peasants, not to us."
It’s my contention that any revolutionary action, if it’s to succeed, must involve the right combination of theory and practice, for insofar as practice informs theory, the converse is also true.…
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26 - roger nowosielski
Sorry about the hyperlinks in #25. They just get formed aside from the person's intent.
Another advertising gimmick recurring with ever greater frequency on the internet.
27 - roger nowosielski
@23
Valuable links, GradyLee, Lukes and Gaventa. Especially the focus on "power" is well-taken, quite reminiscent of the Foucauldian themes with the bit of old farts like Durkheim thrown into the mix. I like your choice of reading material.
So here's the mission, should you choose to accept it, dear sir. Since you're "an expert" in Foucauldian studies (and so am I, proud to say), the first thing on the burner may as well be re-conceptualization of "power" as a positive concept, especially in light of OWS which provides us with the proper context: e.g., bypassing the existing social and political institutions and structures by establishing brand-new centers of power first locally and then outwards. Although Foucault and William James have said pretty much all there is to be said on the subject, I'm certain there's still a great deal to be mined by way of practical or theoretical implications, not to mention available strategies, in light of the present developments.
Cindy's obsessed with the subject of "indoctrination," which could be expanded to include ideology and culture, and that would be her forte: I'd be more than happy to relinquish the lead. Mark Eden (aka "troll") has recently raised the important topic of "representation," so he'd be a natural to take the initiative, and we'd all chip in and do our best. As to yours truly, I'd introduce the moral component into the mix, to serve as a corrective, as it were, a way out from the "indoctrination morass."
I have been in contact with Shenonymous, and at first she was being very responsive until I challenged some of her points; then she became hostile. Now, that's an example of a puffed up ego, and it's a pity since her erudition and education would definitely be a big plus. Shall see, though.
As to our goddess Anarcissie, I'd be quite content if she were to remain our Pallas Athena, ever judicious, all-wise, and perfect in every way.
In any case, one doesn't have to wait until all votes are counted. Even a modest start would be a step in the right direction. One has to teach by example. The rest may follow suit.
But that's enough on the subject. I'd better retire before I hurt anyone's feelings.
28 - Anarcissie
I don't know the details of the John Lewis event, but here in New York, when the first celebrities began to show up (Michael Moore and Susan Sarandon) they were quite surprised when everyone didn't drop whatever they were doing to dance attendance upon them. Later, OWS changed or something happened, because other celebrities and authorities were able to hold 'seminars' of doubtlessly rapt disciples. That apparently includes the indefatigable Michael Moore, who reported himself as meeting with 'forty plus' others (not worthy of being named) to define the 'vision and goals' of the movement, as if it didn't already have vision and goals and Michael Moore was needed to supply it with some.
Needless to say, I liked the earlier version of OWS.
My comments about why more Black people don't show up for various activist events isn't cynical, it's a simple observation of well-known facts: discriminated classes pay a higher price for opposing the order of things, and they have to pick their battles carefully. It doesn't apply only to OWS.
As I said before, I don't think OWS has a future. Instead, I think it has many pasts and many futures, some of which will be barely recognizable. It's one event, one stage in a long process of working out certain social forces, such as the desire to escape from slavery. Of course it could be institutionalized into a thing after which it will be part of the problem.
29 - roger nowosielski
Again, I don't disagree with you, just think it would be a waste if it came down into history as but another "white people movement." Even as a myth, it wouldn't be that powerful.
Of course, the African-Americans must themselves decide whether it's a struggle they ought to embrace; OWS is powerless about that.
I do like your formulation -- "one stage in a long process of working out certain social forces."
30 - Igor
IMO it's difficult for black Americans to embrace OWS because their history has taught them to have a certain diffidence and skepticism about whitemans social projects. And you can't blame them. You'll notice that in Europe blacks are more easily accepted in social reform and more accepting of them. It seems to be normal.
31 - roger nowosielski
I perfectly understand, and judging by the record, the attitude is quite justifiable.
32 - Anarcissie
Well, here in New York City, as a potential target there's the stop-and-frisk practices of the police, a blatant, egregious violation of the 4th Amendment. The ACLU is trying to stop them through the courts, but a series of street actions involving more than the locals might have some effect.
33 - roger nowosielski
Are the African-Americans and the people of color singled out as bearing the greatest brunt of this kind of justice?
Surely, they have a far greater stake to see such policies bite the dust than the privileged whites. Are the contemplated street actions expressly organized on behalf of those groups? because that would be the right thing to do.
It might turn OWS away from its parochially-defined interests in terms of rising tuition costs and the disappearance of the American Dream.
34 - Anarcissie
See this story.
It's not immediately obvious how to attack the problem using direct action, but I'm sure people can figure something out if they try. The action should be led by the most concerned, however. On the whole, they may prefer to work through the courts rather than go the route of direct confrontation at this time.
Another cause simmering along is the foreclosure epidemic. Some groups are seizing houses and turning them over to their former inhabitants or other homeless people. There is less of this in New York City because extensive infusions of Chinese real-estate money (I don't know why) are more or less holding prices up, so many fewer houses and condos are underwater than elsewhere, and while there is plenty of unemployment it hasn't gotten severely worse -- yet.
35 - roger nowosielski
It's a good thing that OWS serves as a platform to take on any number of issues. That might be the ticket to generate popular support behind it.
I'm addressing this and similar issues in the upcoming article, and will notify you by email once published. Meanwhile, I can't help being somewhat pessimistic.