Probably the saddest sign of our times is how many people respond with complete bewilderment if you mention direct action. Cutting border fences? punching nazis? sharing resources? blocking arms transports? building alternatives? They’re not even outraged, they’re just confused.
It’s like they’re so caught up in the spectacle of petitions, calling senators, ‘awareness’ and media visbility that they’ve completely forgotten that you can also just do shit without begging for permission.
I +1 one of the comments above. Isnt this way of thinking really usa ? I agree punching nazis or things seen as really “violent” are seen as too much here in france too, but occupation, protest, degradation of city hall etc. is actually sort of “common” here (just did one today). Although of course most of people say “they [the activists] are taking us hostage [aka wont let them work to stop the economy] :’O :’O :’O” -and then 3 days after they cry because their salary has decreased by 30% due to government reforms lol .
Im actually more surprised by the idea of calling senators or petitions, its really not in our culture. I once asked an american why they thought calling non-stop senators would stop capitalism or laws, as if usa politicians would say “omg i receive 1000 calls today to stop racism, lets be anarchist comrade”. I really dont see the logic here, people on tumblr are denouncing their government as a fascist one -and rightfully so- 24h/24 and then act surprised when it dont listen to their phone calls ? But they told me i was not american so i couldnt understand. Well, maybe…
Anyway, i dont think its a sign of our times, you generalize too much. punching nazis was not the norm twenty years ago either, alas. lets have more faith in our present lmao
I’d agree that this is waaaaaay more common in the US, but it also varies from country to country in Europe. France and Germany seem to have a stronger direct action culture than the Netherlands or Belgium for example. It’s the same with strikes, they’re waaaaaay more common in France than in the Netherlands and so French workers find it easier to imagine going on strike as an action they can take.
The frequency of direct action and strikes both also varies over time. Direct actions are never the norm anywhere but they can form a bigger or smaller part if activism. Direct action was certainly waaaaaay more common in the 70s and 80s than in the 90s and 00s and there are some signs that it’s slowly making a comeback.
QueerAnarchism 