tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60913753720663226792024-03-13T10:00:08.117-07:00Joaquin CienfuegosJoaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.comBlogger774125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-21965286439174177172024-02-27T01:04:00.000-08:002024-02-27T01:04:55.609-08:00Resistance and Sacrifice <p> </p><p><br /></p><p>Rest in power Aaron, salute your sacrifice. I also salute the resistance and sacrifice of the Palestinian people who choose to fight. In the words of Huey P. Newton, "we have such a strong desire to live with hope and human dignity that existence without them is impossible. when reactionary forces crush us, we must move against these forces, even at the risk of death," and if we must go, lets make sure we take some of our enemies with us. Solidarity. </p>Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-41099094139849961642023-06-20T02:15:00.004-07:002023-06-20T22:43:59.410-07:00Against Eco-Fascism and White Supremacy<p><b> Ted Kaczynski was and Eco Fascist and his Manifesto was Racist</b></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The internet has given rise to many weird political trends recently: from tankie politics, to weird political cults. You can see the rise of cult of personalities in Q-Anon to people ironically or unironically praising Ted Kaczynski (TK). After reading his manifesto, I wanted to point out mainly the racism in his writings, but you can also see the political short-comings of his ideas, which are innately eco-fascist.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">It is very similar to a rant from an incel, blaming cancel-culture and political correctness, all the while wanting to maintain his power as a white man in society. When I see someone who's white, especially, complain about identity politics or political correctness it's usually because they want to be able to say and do oppressive things without being challenged, and TK was no different:</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“<i>The leftist wants equal opportunities for minorities. When that is attained he insists on statistical equality of achievement by minorities. And as long as anyone harbors in some corner of his mind a negative attitude toward some minority, the leftist has to re-educated him. And ethnic minorities are not enough; no one can be allowed to have a negative attitude toward homosexuals, disabled people, fat people, old people, ugly people, and on and on and on.”</i></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“<i>The terms 'Negro,' 'oriental,' 'handicapped' or 'chick' for an African, an Asian, a disabled person or a woman originally had no derogatory connotation. 'Broad' and 'chick' were merely the feminine equivalents of 'guy,' 'dude' or 'fellow.' The negative connotations have been attached to these terms by the activists themselves. Those who are most sensitive about 'politically incorrect' terminology are not the average black ghetto-dweller, Asian immigrant, abused woman or disabled person, but a minority of activists, many of whom do not even belong to any 'oppressed' group but come from privileged strata of society.”</i></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">His manifesto goes deeper into his believes on genetic superiority, white supremacy:</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“<i>Leftists are antagonistic to genetic explanations of human abilities or behavior because such explanations tend to make some persons appear superior or inferior to others.”</i></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“<i>These are docile types who would have been happy as plantation darkies in the Old South. (We don’t mean to sneer at the 'plantation darkies' of the Old South. To their credit, most of the slaves were NOT content with their servitude. We do sneer at people who ARE content with servitude.”</i></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">His manifesto is also a misogynistic and trasphobic rant:</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“<i>We aren’t the first to mention that the world today seems to be going crazy. This sort of thing is not normal for human societies...It is true that not all was sweetness and light in primitive societies...transexuality was fairly common among some of the American Indian tribes.”</i></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“<i>Thus an advanced industrial society can tolerate only those small-scale communities that are emasculated, tamed and made into tools of the system.”</i></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">On top of the white supremacist, and fascistic views, what TK gets wrong is no different than other primitivists and rugged-individualists. Their politics, to me, are by nature white-supremacist, and if not, just white. They tend to get it wrong in many ways. From not being able to have an anti-colinial, anti-capitalist, and anti-imperialist analysis, it tends to be white people romanticizing certain things about their own histories. TK hasn't been the only primitivist holding views that are questionable and problematic, from John Zerzan writing about “<a href="https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/john-zerzan-rank-and-file-radicalism-within-the-ku-klux-klan-of-the-1920s">Rank-and-File Radicalism within the Ku Klux Klan of the 1920s</a>” (<a href="https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/john-zerzan-rank-and-file-radicalism-within-the-ku-klux-klan-of-the-1920s">https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/john-zerzan-rank-and-file-radicalism-within-the-ku-klux-klan-of-the-1920s</a>), to Deep Green Resistance t<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Green_Resistance#Anti-trans_views">ransphobic and terfy politics</a> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Green_Resistance#Anti-trans_views">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Green_Resistance#Anti-trans_views</a>), TK follows suit :</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“<i>The kind of revolution we have in mind will not necessarily involve an armed uprising against any government. It may or may not involve physical violence, but it will not be a POLITICAL revolution. Its focus will be on technology and economics, not politics.”</i></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“<i>Revolutionaries might consider favoring measures that tend to bind the world economy into a unified whole. Free trade agreements like NAFTA and GATT are probably harmful to the environment in the short run, but in the long run they may perhaps be advantageous because they foster economic interdependence between nations.”</i></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">So it's strange to see leftists and anarchists champion someone like TK. I think part of the appeal was that he took action, and in a world where we are facing the reality of a climate apocalypse brought on by capitalism, folks are looking for heroes. The reality that we have to face is, that the only way we can win, and where we have a chance for any future, or at least have a resistance movement worth anything, is one where we organize alongside indigenous people in the front lines defending their territories/taking back their lands (not just the celebrity activists/influencers, but the grassroots). There is no way around the fact that we have to organize our communities. Allies have to organize in their own, where the fascists are recruiting, instead of just moving to city where you can start a project with other like minded people. Anyway, there are better heroes and examples to look to for inspiration.</p>Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-6031311310345298012022-03-05T15:07:00.000-08:002022-03-05T15:07:04.727-08:00Critical Analysis of the Left (audiobook)<p>I recently found out that an older essay I wrote was made into an audiobook :) </p><p><br /></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sTcE762jeyA" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1138008619&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate, "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Garuda, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 100; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/audio-spontex-28106631" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Revolutionary Audiobooks">Revolutionary Audiobooks</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/audio-spontex-28106631/critical-analysis-of-the-left-joaquin-cienfuegos-audiobook" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Critical Analysis of the Left | Joaquin Cienfuegos | Audiobook">Critical Analysis of the Left | Joaquin Cienfuegos | Audiobook</a></div>Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-50905341805011156192022-02-01T19:53:00.004-08:002022-02-01T21:48:49.581-08:00Autonomy vs. Neo-liberal identiy politics<div>"Isn’t it interesting how progressive whites seem to have a direct line of communication with black leaders, while everyone else in the street fails to suffer from the same delusion..."</div><div><br /></div><div>-We Outside Collective</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It's always some white guy talking about how identity politics "divides the class." These divisions are not being created subjectively. These divisions exist and have existed in this settler-colonial state. This is how capitalism developed here: it was through colonization, genocide, sexual violence, and racialized slavery. </div><div><br /></div><div>Neoliberals appropriate strategies and tactics used by the oppressed to liberate itself. The 1960's and '70s saw a revolutionary situation where colonized and oppressed people were organizing autonomously while building coalitions and alliances with others. This was a strength and build real unity, not a liberal notion that you build unity for the sake of unity (all while white people position themselves to lead and take over the Organizational leadership over and over again - leading us down a reformist path). White supremacy is the corner stone here, so much that even the white left benefit from this. Giving up on that power for them is a leap so many of them still aren't willing to take. They rather have a better form of capitalism that still benefits them at the end (i.e. democratic socialism and reforms).</div><div><br /></div><div>Fast forward to neoliberalism AND neocolonialism today. They prop up fake leaders who might look like oppressed and colonized people, but their intentions are to steer rebellion and revolt towards a white supremacist reformism. They've used these tactics in the so called third world for decades as well. They buy-off the movement leadership, prop off puppet leaders who look and act like colonized people, and kill off the ones they can't jail or buy-off. </div><div><br /></div><div>Malcolm X once said you have to follow the money/funding of a movement and so-called leader to see who's really pulling the strings. If most of these BIPOC's support is from white liberals, then that should definitely raise questions and suspicions of the intentions and validity of a movement. We should analyze critically their goals and how they want to get there.</div><div><br /></div><div>Democrats in particular pride themselves in putting forward politicians who might look like us and might even use grass roots language and rhetoric from time to time. We all have seen them, especially, lead generation after generation of young people back into bourgeois democracy and electoral politics. All while the empire continues to grow, the planet continues to be destroyed, and our communities continue to be occupied by police, and gentrified. We continue to be pushed into prisons and into tent cities and shanties.</div><div><br /></div><div>The point I want to make is that there is a difference between Neo-liberal identity politics or neo-colonialism (where reformists and the white left in general tell us who to follow), and building autonomy and solidarity. We want to have self-determination as oppressed and colonized people to build our own infrastructure, process, strategy and tactics, that comes from within. We can choose with which sections of other colonized communities we agree with (each community has their own internal struggle against their own sell-outs), so we can finally free ourselves, humanity, the planet, and return the land to its rightful care-takers everywhere once and for all. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-42457608525616054632021-11-19T13:54:00.002-08:002021-11-19T13:54:29.829-08:00Abolish the united states<p> Policing and white supremacy is part of the fabric of this settler-colonialist country, that Abolishing the police and white supremacy will have to mean we also Abolish the united states. https://t.co/hHxKi3V8KO</p>Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-77233401492029034522021-07-30T15:18:00.003-07:002021-07-30T15:18:41.395-07:00A Point on Gentrification <p> <span style="font-size: 17px;">Gentrification plays out in so many different ways.</span></p><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">It doesn't matter if you are an anarchist, communist, or well intentioned.</span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">Sometimes by moving to a city and working class neighborhood with history of white flight, you can perpetuate Gentrification and settler-colonialism in a way.</span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">Your collective and whatever project you think benefits the community, at the end of the day makes that neighborhood more desirable to developers and gentrifiers. </span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">Individual action is not enough to stop it, as well as performative clout chasing movements. </span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">Creative direct action will always be a good start. </span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">For those who open up or start a "project" in a community that is an obvious target of Gentrification, ask yourself, who is this for, and if the people who historically lived there don't make up the people in the collective or who come to the space, then you're probably a gentrifier.</span><br />
<!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_210730_150715_758.sdocx-->Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-18271004977652040452021-07-23T01:52:00.005-07:002021-07-23T01:52:53.273-07:00Land Back!<p> The goal is to return all lands to indigenous people. </p><p><br /></p><p>As a guest I want to assist in destroying colonialism, and to change our relationships to earth and all living things.</p><p><br /></p><p>Cities as they exist today represent imperialist-capitalism to its fullest, and eventually there would be no divide between rural and city, because there would be no need.</p><p><br /></p><p>A strategy of creating bases to operate from and live that is land based is what I want to spend more time developing with comrades (you can call it "building community" but to fight from), as well as connecting to the movement all over that includes the urban. </p><p><br /></p><p>Eventually all lands should be returned to original caretakers of those places. In the mean time fight alongside those communities fighting to free themselves and to decolonize. I hate paying rent on stolen land to settlers though.</p>Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-50945533069977909742021-05-16T11:48:00.002-07:002021-05-16T11:48:23.987-07:00Free Palestine<p> </p><p dir="ltr">Almost 20 years ago now,</p>
<p dir="ltr">I was 19 and in the West Bank, during the second intifada.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I saw the courage and fearlessness in the Palestinian people as a whole but in the youth especially. A 6 year old was able to articulate their oppression, their situation and that he was fighting for freedom for himself and his people.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I was always amazed at the humility as well, because they knew I was there to support them, they would try to feed me and befriend me (which is all they could give).</p>
<p dir="ltr">I saw war being waged on them by settler-colonial israeli state first hand. Explosions, gun fire, hundreds of tanks destroying ancient villages, curfews, check points and terror all to try to crush them and commit genocide against a people.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Palestinian people never backed down.</p>
<p dir="ltr">That has always stayed with me, I was arrested and deported from the occupied land eventually. The Palestinian people will always have my solidarity and I will live my life to help bring down the empire that is one the main reasons their land continues to be occupied. </p>
<p dir="ltr">✊🏽</p>Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-5359715259620414672020-06-03T02:11:00.000-07:002020-06-03T23:58:35.148-07:00In Support of Uprisings -- On to Revolution. The Role of Organization in RebellionHey I wrote this before I got caught up for a few days and wanted to share it with yall<br />
<br />
Let me know what yall think<br />
<br />
In Support of Uprisings -- On to Revolution. The Role of Organization in Rebellion<br />
<br />
<br />
The Minneapolis Uprising and rebellion for George Floyd has inspired other cities to rise up in solidarity for the countless police killings that have happened throughout the U.S. Empire. Let’s get this clear—what we are witnessing is history and moments like these is rare. Black youth are at the forefront along with other people of color, supporters, and allies. We should celebrate this moment and these uprisings especially in the time we are living in where capitalism and fascism has put the market above all human life, and police and military are encouraged to continue to murder us by those in power.<br />
<br />
Uprisings are spontaneous reactions by the people to the injustices they experience and witness. We've reached a point where we are angry and the only way to express our anger is to be in the streets and show our indignation towards the police and the system. It's an explosion in a historic timeline. I've seen uprisings before, but this is something I've never seen before and it's a good thing.<br />
<br />
Activists who are used to marches and protests usually organized by professional leftists and non-profits might not know how to plug in or how to support these rebellions. One thing is clear, it's not your role to police how people choose to "protest." I've seen too many times where instead of joining in and helping the youth in rebellion, activists just get in the way or actually help throw salt and water over the fire of the people in the street.<br />
<br />
As someone who's goal is liberation, I want to see this energy sustained. Usually, you have police repression and then you have professionals and sell-outs come and try to calm the people in press conferences calling for "peace." Next, the promise of some reformist concessions and then eventually it's back to business as usual. The police will continue to kill us.<br />
<br />
The question for revolutionary anarchists at the moment is what is our role and how can we support and help sustain this resistance? In my opinion, the only way to move to the next stage of rebellion is revolutionary organization. I'm not an authoritarian leftist, so I feel this comes from within the struggle—within the communities in resistance—not from outside like from communist vanguard parties. Us with some experience as organizers, can help—not in a paternalistic way—but share from experience so we don't repeat mistakes or tactics/strategies that have been tried and have failed or have been compromised. We need revolutionary organization that helps build momentum and can respond to attacks, misinformation by the media, and to all opportunists that seek to destroy the organic nature of rebellion by coopting or policing the resistance. Revolutionary organization can help escalate rebellion and connect locally and with other regions where we can learn from each other and share resources.<br />
<br />
After talking to folks and comrades from different places, many asked what can we do either as individuals or collectives. While I'm not claiming to know all the answers, these are just ideas that come from my own experience. Hopefully others can add to these ideas and we can create some discussion around these.<br />
<br />
The things to do now as individuals or collective groups of anarchists and organizers to support the rebellions:<br />
<br />
First, if you're able to get together a group of friends you know and trust, do so and begin discussing forming a collective/affinity group or organization.<br />
<br />
The basics of organizing and action (can be applied to any escalation in actions):<br />
<br />
1.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Make plans<br />
<br />
2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Carry them out to the best of your ability<br />
<br />
3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Debrief (in my opinion this is the most important part—this is where collective knowledge and experience happens—we fight during the day and study at night, we learn from our mistakes and see how we can grow, what went wrong, what went right. You better believe the police and law enforcement agencies debrief on our tactics and discuss how to better contain and counter our actions)<br />
<br />
4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Make New Plans<br />
<br />
<br />
Not everyone needs to be in the streets, especially if you're at risk or you have other responsibilities, but you can help by other means such as:<br />
-Raise funds for bail and other legal fees for people out in the streets<br />
-Research<br />
-Offer support to the youth in the frontlines (solidarity means to fight alongside them while not trying to police the way people choose to fight against injustice)<br />
<br />
-Show some more advanced tactics in action, security, and self-defense (either through examples or have print outs of literature on advanced protest tactics, self-defense, and security)<br />
<br />
-Use and show tactics that have been effective around the world in mass uprisings against police<br />
<br />
-Share resources with them (these can be gear, funds, masks, gloves, anything you can and have)<br />
<br />
-Spread information with them and revolutionary literature (on organizing, history, analysis, tactics) Obviously should be right time and if you have some time to engage people, do so.<br />
<br />
- Recruit people into the movement (not necessarily an organization) - this is a process for most, and it doesn't happen overnight, but we can start by planting ideas and seeds into the people into the rebellion we encounter<br />
<br />
-Study collectively (this is where we democratize our knowledge and understanding). Study history, theory, and tactics and strategy together. There are many resources out there online, too many to link on here, but we can begin creating a list to check out<br />
<br />
-Build our Self Defense Tactics (to defend ourselves and our communities from the police and all white supremacists and fascists<br />
<br />
Just some ideas. Long live the Rebellions for George Floyd and all other lives stolen from us by this system.Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-37796343167607156902020-04-13T01:39:00.000-07:002020-05-12T23:15:53.921-07:00Call to Support Land and Self-Determination Projects in the Pacific NorthwestOne thing this pandemic has made clear is that all we have is each other and the State will never come save us. We have seen a lot of great grassroots and autonomous mutual aid projects throughout different communities. Some of us feel there is a need to become self-determined as communities by connecting to the land, growing our food, and being self-sustainable. We want to stop relying on capitalism as much as possible and start creating infrastructure for a radically different world.<br />
<br />
The basis for all life is land, water, and the air we breathe; which is still being destroyed by this system, and there is a bigger crisis we are yet to fight and prepare for.<br />
<br />
We are putting out a call to folks in the so-called Pacific Northwest to build land projects and support people who are working to do that now:<br />
<br />
At the moment we are collecting seed donations, tools, or any other resource you can donate.<br />
<br />
<br />
We understand this is all stolen indigenous land, and we want to work alongside indigenous people who are fighting to take back the land from this colonial capitalist imperialist system.<br />
<br />
To donate you can contact<br />
<br />
infospace_eugene@yahoo.com (Eugene)<br />
<br />
Joaquincienfuegos@gmail.com (western and Central Washington) Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-84027438950453640602020-03-23T00:43:00.000-07:002020-03-23T00:51:38.235-07:00Mutual Aid to Self-DeterminationMutual Aid to Self-Determination<br />
<br />
-Joaquin Cienfuegos<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In a crisis is when the ruling class shows its true nature. The one thing capitalists care to safeguard in these times is its system and market above all else. While people die from a pandemic we have not seen in our lifetimes, and people get laid off and are unsure of how they will survive and feed their families -- the state shuts down most means for poor people to survive trying to control the virus. All this comes at no surprise, but these class contradictions become magnified during times of crisis. With all that is happening it is clear what is to blame for the ills plaguing humanity and our planet has always been capitalism.<br />
<br />
There is no safety net for those at the bottom. Only the rich can afford to take weeks to months off from work, have jobs that give them a salary to work from home, or have savings to fall back on. Majority of people don't have basic health care to even get tested for COVID-19. Yet the state expects us to fall in line with whatever mediocre plan they have to control disease. They expect us to stay home if we do not serve in jobs that are needed to keep their system running, or are healthcare workers. We are expected to pay rent on stolen land, as well as self-quarantine and just buy groceries or get them delivered. They are cutting public transportation and many service jobs. The economic and health care plans that are being offered to us is not enough for us to survive and it seems like a band aid solution to a problem that has no cure, which is this system.<br />
<br />
All this, while their media spreads fear instead of educating the public. This is the norm though: keep the people afraid and while they over-consume out of panic. Even then, who is able to afford buying and stocking up on supplies, when most people live pay check to pay check and in poverty. I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but one thing in history has been clear, that in times of crisis, the fascists have used the opportunity to consolidate their power, as well as implement repressive laws they can use to target communities and people they wish to eliminate and subjugate; in example, homeless, people of color, migrants, elderly and others.<br />
<br />
The question is what can we do? I wrote something a few years ago I want to re-share, that is relevant today, titled, “Beyond Survival.” Capitalism is the crisis, and the state will not save us. All we have is each other, and we can see this with all the mutual aid projects popping up or that have been in place for years (https://itsgoingdown.org/autonomous-groups-are-mobilizing-mutual-aid-initiatives-to-combat-the-coronavirus/ ). The challenge before us, is that we need to have infrastructure in place so we are not just reacting when crisis happens. At least for me, that is not strategic, and is short sighted. Our tactics also get coopted by the right and liberals alike, and other opportunists with their own agendas. Our goal should always be a better world.<br />
<br />
Infrastructure, means building within our communities and beyond, so we can truly be self-sufficient. We can provide what we need eventually for each other (basic needs like food, clothes, shelter, healthcare, and “work”), and not rely on the system. It means working with indigenous people and learning to be on the land. That also means fighting to protect the water, and the people. It will mean changing our relationship to the land. Otherwise we will always be at the mercy of capitalism and every crisis created by it.<br />
<br />
We Can live in a world where people can truly feel involved in solving a crisis like the one we are living under now. Where we can work together to feed, house every one and have health care for every single person. Where people can take time off and and be guaranteed a livelihood (not just professionals). Those things are possible, but not under capitalism, and it won't come from democrats or republicans. WE have to fight to make it a reality, and it will take an actual revolution to bring this about, nothing less.<br />
<br />
<br />
"My intent is not to spread panic, panic is detrimental. I want to promote the proactive approach of preparedness for our people. I want to strongly encourage our people to truly value and take responsibility for our lives (meaning to rely less on the government and more upon each other), become more proactive and learn about these strategies and skills related to them. Then determine which one works best for your situation and start to plan, prepare and execute your plan."<br />
<br />
-Sakej Ward<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Beyond Survival<br />
<br />
http://joaquincienfuegos.blogspot.com/2012/06/beyond-survival.html?m=1<br />
<br />
“No queremos sobrevivir, Queremos Vivir” “We don't want to survive, We Want to Live”<br />
<br />
By Joaquin Cienfuegos<br />
<br />
<br />
The question of survival can mean many different things to people. In the movement, it has come to mean what Huey P. Newton meant when he said, “survival pending revolution.” It has also come to mean, learning to live off the land and break one's dependency on this system of colonialism and capitalist-imperialist white supremacy. While I am not trying to undermine anyone's struggle here, I feel that the movement places more energy on the former, fighting to survive within a racist/sexist oppressive genocidal society. I want to discuss mainly what we intend to do, and hopefully get to a situation where we are not just surviving, and we can actually live.<br />
<br />
In the major cities in the u.s. Empire, oppressed people are forced into a situation where we are existing in a state of crisis. We are always just trying to survive, because we do not have any resources that are our own, we are not self-sufficient, self-determined, or sustainable whatsoever. We are dependent on the system and those in power for our basic needs we need to live: food, clothes, shelter, jobs and education. For anyone striving to be free, this is an unfavorable position to be in strategically. It forces us into a situation where we are reacting, and to those in power, this will always give them the upper hand.<br />
<br />
This is not to say that fighting for better living conditions isn't necessary, it definitely is. Collectively we need to figure out how to connect these struggles to a larger vision, so we don't get bogged down in a reactionary relationship to our oppression and our struggle for freedom. What we need to deal with is the professional activists, opportunists, and politicians/political careerists who wish to keep us in line with a form of struggle that is safe and keeps their non-profit or opportunist/political aims safe and payed. They wish to keep us resisting in a non-threatening way. This speaks to the cooptation of of the “survival programs” or the “serve the people” programs of the Black Panther Party and other revolutionary organizations of the 60's by corporations/Non-Profit Industrial Complex, due to the effectiveness of those programs. The fact that J. Edgar Hoover and the Counter Intelligence Program, saw the Free Breakfast Program as the “largest threat to national security” speaks to that. The difference, however, between the BPP (Black Panther Party), and these Non-profits or other organizations who claim to JUST provide services to people, is that the BPP at least for a long time had a revolutionary program/strategy that connected their programs to a larger vision of a different world.<br />
<br />
Later the BPP leadership went down a reformist path and turned “survival pending revolution” programs into just survival, thinking revolution was too far off in the future. Today many organizations feel the same way, if they even use revolutionary rhetoric, some are straight up open about reformist aims, or just careerist goals as well. While some might have good intentions in providing services to the people, many just hope to serve themselves or their pockets. These folks benefit from the fact that survival not only is a necessity but people's nature is to fight for survival, so this struggle is inevitable. They act as a cushion for the boot of those in power to prolong our rebellion. This is part of the privilege of living in the first world, or in the belly of the empire. There has to be this this facade, that the people are being fed, and are being taken care of, if not by the government, than by their middle-men, the NGO's (and others like them).<br />
<br />
So this type of survival, is one that is controlled, and when we become comfortable, then we build a dependency on this system. This is very common in the empire. People get into this unconscious (or conscious) way of relating to the state, without it they will not be able to live, and some will even fight to protect this way of life. Other comrades subconsciously get caught in this cycle of just reacting to the state, and what it brings down on our communities, and get involved only in this activism. Many people are stuck in this phase, and can't seem to get out of it; nothing gets built, and nothing really changes. Our communities, really just struggle to get by... to survive.<br />
<br />
We have to learn how to be human again, this battle is one where we not only decolonize ourselves and our minds, but decolonize our condition, working with all indigenous people to do so. Recognizing again that we are on stolen land, and work with the rightful keepers of the territory we are on. This is a different type of survival, and it doesn't just mean doing what is sufficient for our people to live, but doing what is necessary to ensure the next seven generations, and prepare the ground so our children can do the same. It means that we have to fight, not just to survive, but to drive the colonizer and its system out of this continent and get rid of their way of life. This will mean learning the “survival” skills that are necessary, these are the valuable warrior skills that will connect us back to the land and our culture. This is how we will learn how to live, how to be human, and how to live outside of this system. This is a necessary step for the survival of not only indigenous way of life but humanity as a whole.<br />
<br />
We will not fight to replace this system with another set of oppressors, who also represent the colonizer way of life. We have to build autonomy, which for that you need land, and you need to have a relationship to it and those who are the rightful caretakers of it. Having a relationship to the land means many different things, along being able to protect it, because it gives you life. Fighting for autonomy means going beyond just surviving, but being truly independent of the state and the system. The only way to go beyond just fighting to survive, and actually live, is to build autonomy while destroying this system and driving out their colonial rule.<br />
<br />Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-74242217062365619672018-11-26T21:31:00.001-08:002020-04-13T01:51:32.340-07:00That's just bad analysis and politics, in my opinion I'm not one to "call out" people online but do think we should call out wack analysis and bad politics.<br />
<br />
Blaming another oppressed people for your own oppression is just lazy. Yea there are fucked up thinking in all our communities but not putting the blame on imperialism will not only not get us where we need to be it can make matters worst. Narrow nationalism on all parts is not revolutionary, and is liberal and opportunist in the end.<br />
<br />
While there are internal contractions in our communities that we should address daily, we need to work towards uniting to get rid of all oppression once and for all.<br />
<br />
Mexico is a colonial state with puppet regimes that serve only u.s. interests, as Central American governments that create the conditions where our families and people have to flee our homelands, lets start from there and build. If we can.<br />
<br />
Now more than ever we can unite and build real solidarity as oppressed people (indigenous and other oppressed allies) to bring down not just borders but the systems that keep them in place.<br />
<br />
Ijs.Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-41638852990875107092017-03-27T12:21:00.002-07:002017-03-27T12:21:55.513-07:00Statement on My Arrest March 25th<div data-contents="true">
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="19noc" data-offset-key="6g85h-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6g85h-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="6g85h-0-0"><span data-text="true">Statement on my arrest</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="19noc" data-offset-key="4d0rr-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4d0rr-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="4d0rr-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="19noc" data-offset-key="drsv2-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="drsv2-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="drsv2-0-0"><span data-text="true">On March 25th, </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="19noc" data-offset-key="6hnue-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6hnue-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="6hnue-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="19noc" data-offset-key="ai2cg-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ai2cg-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="ai2cg-0-0"><span data-text="true">A group of about 100 or more pro-trump demonstrators marched down Hollywood Blvd, with no counter-demonstration whatsoever.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="19noc" data-offset-key="3rmfj-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3rmfj-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="3rmfj-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="19noc" data-offset-key="c1bjn-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c1bjn-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="c1bjn-0-0"><span data-text="true">After a confrontation, the police came and detained me and a trump supporter.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="19noc" data-offset-key="eln55-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="eln55-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="eln55-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="19noc" data-offset-key="7h6mk-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7h6mk-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="7h6mk-0-0"><span data-text="true">They arrested me after finding brass knuckles in my pocket, then releasing the trump supporter and shaking his hand. Even through it didn't surprise me, it still angered me.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="19noc" data-offset-key="c3bgt-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c3bgt-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="c3bgt-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="19noc" data-offset-key="ce14l-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ce14l-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="ce14l-0-0"><span data-text="true">They took me to Wilcox Station and charged me with possession of Brass knuckles, which is a felony. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="19noc" data-offset-key="3ugr0-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3ugr0-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="3ugr0-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="19noc" data-offset-key="49aap-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="49aap-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="49aap-0-0"><span data-text="true">My bail was set at 20,000 (2,000) and ended up bailing myself out because of responsibilities like work, son, and thinking I had to move my car before it got towed, on an instalment plan. Luckily, a close comrade and other comrades had my car towed to safe place so it wouldn't get towed and accumulate charges.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="19noc" data-offset-key="3upnj-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3upnj-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="3upnj-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="19noc" data-offset-key="5195d-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5195d-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="5195d-0-0"><span data-text="true">My court date is on April 19th.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="19noc" data-offset-key="ajo2j-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ajo2j-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="ajo2j-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="19noc" data-offset-key="7nuib-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7nuib-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="7nuib-0-0"><span data-text="true">Honestly, what went through my mind the whole time, was these racists cannot march down Hollywood in Los Angeles, without anyone challenging them. I wasn't planning to get arrested, and wasn't planning to do anything, until I was attacked by the trump supporter who claimed I took his "Make America Great Again" Hat, so I defended myself against him and two other trump supporters who hid behind their protectors the Los Angeles Police Department.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="19noc" data-offset-key="5t8u9-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5t8u9-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="5t8u9-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="19noc" data-offset-key="8odc6-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8odc6-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="8odc6-0-0"><span data-text="true">I just wanted to put my story out to friends, comrades and family. </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-37624196796458141242017-01-24T22:42:00.000-08:002017-01-24T22:46:36.179-08:00#DesdeAbajo: “Muchos de nosotros no tenemos papeles pero vamos a luchar y a pelear a lado de ustedes”<div class="gmail_quote">
<br />
<br type="attribution" />
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px #ccc solid; margin: 0 0 0 .8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="ES"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="ES">Rodolfo Montes de Oca</span> </div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: arimo,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="ES">Desde abajo, es una serie de entrevistas que
busca abordar las inauguración presidencial de Donald Trump en USA bajo una
óptica distinta, haciendo énfasis en los movimientos sociales y los grupos de
base que no se ven representados en este gobierno. En esta entrega hablamos con
Joaquín Cienfuegos, activista comunitario, miembro de CopWatch Los Angeles y
ex-promotor de la Feria del Libro Anarquista de esa ciudad.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="ES"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><b>¿Cómo ves la elección de
Donald Trump?, ¿Su elección representa a la población norteamericana?</b></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="ES">En mi opinión la
elección de Donald Trump representa la situación en que estamos en los Estados
Unidos y el resto del mundo. Estamos entrando en una época donde el fascismo
esta haciéndose más fuerte. En mi opinión el fascismo nunca murió y
especialmente los fascistas siempre se han estado organizando y reclutando
gente. Estamos viviendo en un mundo donde hay crisis en todas partes y
fascistas usan estos momentos para crear popularidad a su movimiento y ideas
racistas. Han estado ganando por el mundo y empezó con Brexit en Inglaterra y
Trump en los Estados Unidos. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="ES">Los fascistas han
visto que pueden ganar y ha motivado a ellos, para ser abiertamente racistas y
xenofóbicos en sus partidos políticos y plataformas. Les echan la culpa a
musulmanes, especialmente refugiados de Siria; y en los Estados Unidos a
migrantes de México y también a movimientos de Africanos/Negros contra la
brutalidad de la policía. Países imperialistas, con ideología de supremacía
eurocéntrica, muchos anglos, que tienen privilegios adentro de estos países,
sienten su poder en peligro, los fascistas han podido agarrar apoyo de esta
gente.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><b>¿Cuál crees tú que serán
las medidas en materia de inmigración de Donald Trump?</b></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="ES">En este momento no sabemos que va hacer
realmente Trump, y que leyes intentara realizar. Los republicanos en general están
al control de gobierno en general y sabemos que las cosas se van a poner más difícil
para los 11 de millones de indocumentados que viven en los estados unidos en
este momento, y para más refugiados que vienen del sur. Realmente no importa
que partido este en la Casa Blanca. Obama, que muchos piensan que era el
presidente más progresista que ha tenido este país, a deportado a mas personas
que cualquier otro presidente en la historia. Los dos partidos iban a seguir
militarizando la frontera y seguir deportando a gente. Especialmente Hillary
Clinton que muchos miraban como otra política vendida, apoyaba pólizas del
libre comercio y neo-liberalismo que hace que muchos tengan que migrar de sus
tierras para sobrevivir.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><b>¿Cómo ves las
movilizaciones anti-trump?, ¿desde anarquista hasta demo-liberales?... ¿Es
posible aprovechar ese descontento para avanzar en un desarrollo distinto?</b></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="ES">Pienso que los anarquistas deben estar al frente.
El fascismo es el enemigo histórico y la
lucha va ser larga. El 20 de enero podemos inyectar ideas radicales en
movimientos sociales y populares. En mi opinión, los liberales quieren usar
este momento para promover el partido demócrata. En este momento de historia
tenemos que combatir contra ideas liberales también, ellos son culpables
también. Hay diferente mundos posibles,
y todo depende en quien gane, por eso es importante confrontar fascistas donde
quiera que estén.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><b>Para cerrar… ¿Qué te
gustaría decirles a todos los latinos sin papeles que viven hoy en USA? </b></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="ES">Todos tenemos que luchar en este momento.
Muchas organizaciones no-gubernamentales tratan a latinos sin papeles como
personas sin poder que tienen que hablar por ellos. En realidad, ello/as vienen
de movimientos sociales, guerrillas y luchas en sus países. Podríamos aprender
de las experiencias de ello/as. Me gustaría decirles que nadie puede hablar por
ti, ningún político, ninguna organización, y ningún revolucionario; Tienes que
hablar por ti mismo, tienes que organizarte, autogestionarte, autodefenderte, y
crear tu propia lucha en este momento cuando el sistema capitalista y el Estado,
los ve como enemigo/as. Nosotro/as como anarquistas somos también enemigos de
los Estados. y muchos de nosotros no tenemos papeles pero vamos a luchar y a
pelear a lado de ustedes. En solidaridad.</span></div>
<div>
<div class="m_-7398062099720764755m_-2183165638462627415m_-2236791709865843819m_145295164292604898m_-9150952666988240081gmail_signature">
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
________________________</div>
<div>
<b><i>Rodolfo Montes de Oca</i></b></div>
<div>
Bitácora personal: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://rodolfomontesdeoca.contrapoder.org.ve/&source=gmail&ust=1485382520843000&usg=AFQjCNFk257DuRRY8mCbG8OfaEvSH-Utgg" href="http://rodolfomontesdeoca.contrapoder.org.ve/" target="_blank">http://rodolfomontes<wbr></wbr>deoca.contrapoder.org.ve/ </a></div>
<div>
Twitter: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://twitter.com/romontesdeoca&source=gmail&ust=1485382520843000&usg=AFQjCNEWIFwvrv3uCiymzQS8cO81cV1Sdw" href="https://twitter.com/romontesdeoca" target="_blank">@romontesdeoca</a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-68452954656022078182016-12-15T21:14:00.001-08:002016-12-15T21:14:41.243-08:00On Solidarity<p dir="ltr">In terms of building real solidarity and how that looks like, if we are going into a community or land that isn't ours or our ancestors' then we must take a step back and not impose our own ideas or ways of doing things, but rely on revolutionary/ warrior elements that exist already within for leadership and allow for the natural internal struggle to be pushed forward. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Doesn't mean we can't have ideas or opinions, we can and should, in example, in my opinion regarding the Standing Rock struggle, I think if you look at history, the reason why the Lakota people exist today is because they fought and won battles. Obviously the colonizer doesn't forget either and has systematically oppressed indigenous nations in that region. In any popular uprising there will always be different agendas struggling for direction and influence. As a supporter I hope to side with the radical elements that align with my own vision as well but don't want to impose or get in the way of the natural internal struggle that will and needs to take place within the nation for their overall fight for land and freedom. </p>
<p dir="ltr">This is how I approach solidarity as I take the fight back to where I'm at and for decolonization as a whole. </p>
<p dir="ltr">My two cents </p>
Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-181260864519894022016-11-05T17:16:00.001-07:002016-11-05T17:16:51.213-07:00Of course I'm an anarchist <p dir="ltr">Something that really influenced me growing up and becoming politicized was meeting a big Chicano  homie who had gotten out of prison and was working with a community organization when I was about 15 or 16.  He had a bunch of anarchist prison tats and when he was asked about his politics he responded, "I've been in the system my whole life, of course I'm an anarchist." </p>
<p dir="ltr">That resonated with me, having been pushed out of school even though I was in honors and gifted programs. Having been harassed and arrested by police over 7 times and on probation and in juvenile hall already. I felt like this system was designed against me growing up and found out it was. </p>
<p dir="ltr">So those words made a lot of sense to me:</p>
<p dir="ltr">"I've been in the system my whole life, of course I'm an anarchist." </p>
Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-20182423647821051032016-10-10T23:02:00.001-07:002016-10-10T23:02:37.518-07:00On Fake Posturing <p dir="ltr">A problem I see in the "left" is that we give up our power and voice to celebrities. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Also we hype up and promote people who are just all TALK and posture. People who have never been in any battle or real fight, but are quick to take up the spotlight. I feel people who are real warriors and guerrillas don't want the spot light, but they continue to prove themselves in fighting and self-sacrifice, they also have different roles, more in popular education and building our communities skill sets (to be independent and autonomous which is also low key).</p>
<p dir="ltr">Personally I feel people are smart enough to see through the talk and posturing eventually but it's the professional activist and white leftists who continue to give power to those folks, who seek celebrity status and other things.</p>
<p dir="ltr">These structures of imposed fake leadership isn't even something that is native to non-european people, we practice consensus and direct democracy.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Just because someone talks and postures like they're down for the fight (and it might sound good and all), doesn't mean they really live their life that way. Let's build trust with each other through real struggle (also internally).</p>
<p dir="ltr">In my opinion the more we democratize knowledge and build our skills the more stronger as peoples we will be and won't need these folks that are imposed on us by the mainstream liberal left and other opportunists. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Anyway #justanotherrant</p>
<p dir="ltr">Let's talk through our actions and show examples to our communities and future generations, how it is to build something, and how we can have victories won by fighting. </p>
Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-2850754428631778692016-10-07T21:46:00.001-07:002016-10-07T21:46:06.241-07:00"Itsïri K´uinchekua" New Documentary about Purépecha Water Ceremonies.<div data-contents="true">
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="36ilc" data-offset-key="f9blu-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="f9blu-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="f9blu-0-0"><span data-text="true">New Documentary about Purépecha Water Ceremonies. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="36ilc" data-offset-key="5q791-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5q791-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="5q791-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="36ilc" data-offset-key="192hu-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="192hu-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="192hu-0-0"><span data-text="true">by Juan Jose Estrada Serafin </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="36ilc" data-offset-key="8no87-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8no87-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="8no87-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="36ilc" data-offset-key="8gths-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8gths-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="8gths-0-0"><span data-text="true">https://vimeo.com/172364371</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="36ilc" data-offset-key="7abd1-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7abd1-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="7abd1-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="36ilc" data-offset-key="ctuie-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ctuie-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="ctuie-0-0"><span data-text="true">"Itsïri K´uinchekua"</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="36ilc" data-offset-key="8bkga-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8bkga-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="8bkga-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="36ilc" data-offset-key="1sb6k-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1sb6k-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="1sb6k-0-0"><span data-text="true">A documentary about the water festivals and rituals, which has a very high cultural value for the inhabitants of Purépecha indigenous communities, just because there is a very scarce resource, but because it is sacred and divine character is reflected in myths, rituals and existing celebrations. In addition use practices and water management reflect this worldview, water is life.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="36ilc" data-offset-key="dv8j1-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dv8j1-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="dv8j1-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="36ilc" data-offset-key="f23ok-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="f23ok-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="f23ok-0-0"><span data-text="true">Juan Jose Estrada Serafin</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="36ilc" data-offset-key="8gr3c-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8gr3c-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="8gr3c-0-0"><span data-text="true">Indigenous Purhépecha photojournalist specializing in media. He has also worked in photography for documentary; graphic reports and graphic chronicles. His video work has revolved around social events, political, cultural and documentation; It has deepened in the Purepecha communities of Michoacán and in other indigenous regions such as the Coastal Region Nahua, Lakeside, East Michoacan and has fully covered the region of Tierra Caliente. He has worked as a correspondent for Cuartoscuro Agency and worked on national reporting process and international magazines such as Vice News Latin America. His photographic work on violence, indigenous groups and social movements discussed about the Mexican republic in different printed news agencies and online.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="36ilc" data-offset-key="dbom2-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dbom2-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="dbom2-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="36ilc" data-offset-key="1n79j-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1n79j-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="1n79j-0-0"><span data-text="true">If you are interested in organizing a screening of this film in your community or school please contact acha.turifilms@gmail.com</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="36ilc" data-offset-key="93tml-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="93tml-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="93tml-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="36ilc" data-offset-key="76ub-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="76ub-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="76ub-0-0"><span data-text="true">The film maker is also available to skype in for the screening. </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-48604870855619885442016-07-07T22:37:00.003-07:002016-07-07T22:37:46.496-07:00 As police shootings continue, bystanders get more sophisticated at filming altercations<br />
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fev9p" data-offset-key="3jkjg-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3jkjg-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="3jkjg-0-0">They asked me my thoughts, I gave some tips based on CWLA's experiences, I said much more, but it wasn't in the article.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fev9p" data-offset-key="1u9or-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1u9or-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="1u9or-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fev9p" data-offset-key="fun9v-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fun9v-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="fun9v-0-0">What I really wanted to get out, was that we need to continue to take direct action and confront police terrorism. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fev9p" data-offset-key="83fum-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="83fum-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="83fum-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fev9p" data-offset-key="37i9m-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="37i9m-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="37i9m-0-0">We need to stop police murder before it happens, and abolish the police and their system, they will not stop until their is consequences for police terrorism. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fev9p" data-offset-key="7hv5c-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7hv5c-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="7hv5c-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fev9p" data-offset-key="79fsc-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="79fsc-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="79fsc-0-0">We need to raise the level of resistance. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fev9p" data-offset-key="71c53-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="71c53-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="71c53-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fev9p" data-offset-key="abp7a-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="abp7a-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="abp7a-0-0">Cop Watching is just one tactic, but organization is what deters police violence, but we need to get rid of the police and the system as a whole. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fev9p" data-offset-key="72vc5-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="72vc5-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="72vc5-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fev9p" data-offset-key="3mofl-0-0" style="background-color: white;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3mofl-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; direction: ltr; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span data-offset-key="3mofl-0-0">With that, if people are interested in taking direct action and organize a cop watch organization in your neighborhood, hit CWLA up, get some training, and lets build our fighting capacity and organization, one of the first steps in a revolutionary movement. </span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3mofl-0-0" style="color: #1d2129; direction: ltr; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span data-offset-key="3mofl-0-0"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3mofl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="3mofl-0-0" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-video-shooting-20160707-snap-story.html</span></span></div>
</div>
Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-78235070328302073552016-06-27T15:06:00.003-07:002016-06-27T15:08:54.907-07:00Is it me or is the movement obsessed with celebrity and pop culture?<span data-offset-key="4jr4b-0-0"><span data-text="true">Is it me or is the movement obsessed with celebrity and pop culture?</span></span><br />
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="dlvqm" data-offset-key="8k21h-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8k21h-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="8k21h-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="dlvqm" data-offset-key="755mu-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="755mu-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="755mu-0-0"><span data-text="true">The movement should influence popular culture and push things more towards a anti-colonial and revolutionary direction, not the other way around.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="dlvqm" data-offset-key="4m1rp-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4m1rp-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="4m1rp-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="dlvqm" data-offset-key="do0rh-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="do0rh-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="do0rh-0-0"><span data-text="true">Yea we can have people push us and to look up to, maybe, but it has become more about getting Internet famous than about the actual struggle to win.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="dlvqm" data-offset-key="51b7h-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="51b7h-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="51b7h-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="dlvqm" data-offset-key="3vh4v-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3vh4v-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="3vh4v-0-0"><span data-text="true">Maybe it's just me, but whatever, I've never been into falling behind a celebrity in Hollywood or a celebrity "activist." </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="dlvqm" data-offset-key="ede17-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ede17-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="ede17-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="dlvqm" data-offset-key="1omh2-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1omh2-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="1omh2-0-0"><span data-text="true">I fuck with you, if I see you're real.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="dlvqm" data-offset-key="dksl0-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dksl0-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="dksl0-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="dlvqm" data-offset-key="4mmp0-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4mmp0-0-0">
<span class="_5u8n" data-offset-key="4mmp0-0-0" spellcheck="false"><span data-offset-key="4mmp0-0-0"><span data-text="true">#thatisall</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="4mmp0-1-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span><span class="_5u8n" data-offset-key="4mmp0-2-0" spellcheck="false"><span data-offset-key="4mmp0-2-0"><span data-text="true">#burnhollywood</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="4mmp0-3-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span><span class="_5u8n" data-offset-key="4mmp0-4-0" spellcheck="false"><span data-offset-key="4mmp0-4-0"><span data-text="true">#hollywoodactivists</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="4mmp0-5-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></div>
</div>
Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-29983286855725745702016-03-16T00:57:00.001-07:002016-03-16T00:57:15.739-07:00George Jackson of Fascism <p dir="ltr">"The fascists already have power. The point is that some way must be found to expose them and combat them. An electoral choice of ten different fascists is like choosing which way one wishes to die. The holder of so-called high public office is always merely an extension of the hated ruling corporate class. It is to our benefit that this person be openly hostile, despotic, unreasoning." George Jackson </p>
Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-25153190678327494232016-02-24T20:55:00.004-08:002022-02-16T02:13:19.478-08:00The Professionalization of the Movement: Opportunism and the Institutional LeftBy Joaquin Cienfuegos<br />
<br />
The times we are living in are crucial: the overall planet is at stake, state violence and repression, plus everything else this oppressive system of capitalism-imperialism-colonialism-white supremacy- and patriarchy brings down on us. The main question is how we are allowed to fight and struggle, versus how we need to fight to win. It always comes down to strategy and tactics, and connecting what we are doing today to a larger vision. Part of this though, is not only having internal dialogue, but also struggle, because the reality is that our movement is being held back by professionals, opportunists, and people who collaborate with the state, and this is something I've spoken to in the past I think, but I want to expand on this dialogue and connect it to what is happening more recently with electoral politics, non-profit industrial complex, academia, and professional activists in general.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>How we need to organize vs. How we are allowed to organize</b><br />
<br />
At the moment you can say we have a sort of political awakening, and people are discussing politics on a daily basis. The media is full of political debate, and people are encouraged to participate in this process. We see this whenever there is an election. The superstructure and system as a whole allows for people to get involved politically, or at least this is what is needed for their form of democracy to "work." There needs to be the illusion of people being involved in a political process to give legitimacy to their "political show" which is pretty much a sham. The ruling class of this empire, very much knows what they are doing and there is no intention in giving power to the majority of people. It is clear that the popular vote does not elect presidents, who at the end of the day just act like mouth-pieces for the empire. They will never allow for their power to be voted away, and they run this con-game to give some legitimacy to their illusion of choice.<br />
<br />
Last couple of elections we've seen the one candidate with populist rhetoric, to galvanize the young people who are are overall upset at the direction this society is going, and want to do something to change it. They are told by the ruling class that they can do something: they can elect this "revolutionary" candidate, because there is Democracy in this country. Obama represented that, especially in his first term, with his rhetoric of "Hope" and "Yes We Can," and now Bernie Sanders represents that, with his promise of "Free Education," and social democratic reforms. At the end of the day they will uphold u.s. imperialism. We know that Obama did abroad and at home, deporting many and continuing an agenda of repression and attacks on "civil liberties" within the u.s. <br />
<br />
Not only do we have the mainstream media mobilizing people around electoral politics but we also have what I know as professional activists or the institutional (neo-liberal) left steering people to support the candidate who they also sell as someone who will solve many, if not all our problems. The professional activists or the institutional left is anyone who is getting paid for organizing or political work; anyone from local politicians, union officials, non-profits/non-governmental organizations, academics looking to take credit for a movement, or any activist in the spot-light looking to have a political career in the future. <br />
<br />
The fact of that this happens every election doesn't seem like a coincidence, but a strategy not only by the ruling class, who we know wish to hold power over the people, but also the role the professional and institutional left play in the movement. Many things have been written about where their money is coming from and who are their funders, and we can go into each type professional activist listed, and each one is unique but make up the overall institutional (neo-liberal) left.<br />
<br />
"Most non- profit boards are made up of professionals and often representatives of private corporations who are major donors. Second, there are few non-profits that are member supported financially with any significant dues base. This has transformed many grass roots [Community Based Organizations] founded in the 60’s-70’s from local government critic and watchdog to local government sub-contractor." (From "<a href="http://blackagendareport.com/node/4873">Why Non-Profits Can't Lead the 99%</a> )<br />
<br />
" I thought of my past a lot during the Belong Campaign. At one of our meetings, about three months into my tenure, I looked across the table at the people in nice suits, drinking coffee and eating bagels, talking about solving this poverty problem by increasing these community members’ sense of belonging. These people, my colleagues, traveled the world—Australia, Africa, and throughout the U.S.—speaking on panels and at conferences about their innovative new approaches to increasing resilience. Making money off poverty was their vocation. They were compensated for these studies, creating a career out of their ludicrous idea of 'resilience,' that the circumstances of these people’s lives were somehow a result of their poor choices or ill behaviors." (From<br />
"<a href="http://jezebel.com/resilience-is-futile-how-well-meaning-nonprofits-perpe-1716461384">Resilience Is Futile: How Well-Meaning Nonprofits Perpetuate Poverty" by Melissa Chadburn</a>)<br />
<br />
These quotes just speak to the professional activists/organizers and the institutional left and what their role is in the movement. We understand where the funds come from, but overall, at the end, anything that poses a threat to the system is also in direct conflict with these organizations/institutions because they are also extensions of the state, not just because of the funding, but because they hold a stake in the system. Their conscious or unconscious mission is to survive by continuing to gain this funding and comfortable position within the establishment. At the end, the directors and professionals want to get paid, while still spouting progressive rhetoric. <br />
<br />
There have been many cases where these non-profits have not only taken the side of the police and the state, but have shown they work closely with them, which shows their role as an extension of those repressive institutions. In 2007, after the police attacked the May Day (International Worker's Day) march in McArthur Park, a majority Central American community, CHIRLA (Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights in Los Angeles) and its director Angelica Salas blamed young anarchists and Cop Watch LA for the police attack, and put out the same position as the LAPD. The following year she openly said in the media that CHIRLA and their May Day march would work with the police, putting the blame on the people and building closer ties to the state apparatus. <br />
<br />
Another example that proves what role these organizations play, was in Anaheim when the community rose up after the police murder of Manuel Diaz in 2012. In an article by The Rebel Press, "<a href="http://therebelpress.com/articles/show?id=44">The OC Non-Profit Complex At the Service of the Police State</a>," they expose e-mail communication between the Anaheim PD and the OC Human Relations (a major non-profit) and its executive director Rusty Kennedy:<br />
<br />
<div>
"On July 24th, 2012, just days after Manuel Diaz was shot and killed by an Anaheim PD officer, Kennedy sent Chief Welter an e-mail titled '<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">APD Shooting Follow-Up'</em> in which his initiative and readiness to cooperate with the efforts of the police were obvious.</div>
<div>
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">'I and my staff are completely available to you 24/7, let me know how we can help. If you would like another set of ears at the table as you process this and plan the community relations aspect, I can come over now.'</em> Suggested Kennedy.</div>
<div>
A briefing he sent to the OC Board of Supervisors was also included in the body of the e-mail.</div>
<div>
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">'OC Human Relations Commission responded late Saturday afternoon to a growing fracas in Anaheim where a young man was shot and killed by the Anaheim police after a pursuit.'</em></div>
<div>
<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">'We dispatched a bilingual team that checked in with the APD on site, engaged community members and sought to be helpful, staying till the incident wound down. Then Again on Sunday we sent staff to the APD where a demonstration took place.' </em><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">"</span></div>
<div>
The article further exposed emails between OC Human Relations, the Chief of APD, and other OC Non profits (<span style="font-size: 16.0006px; line-height: 22.858px;">OCCCO, OCCORD, and Los Amigos of OC). Canvasing in the community by these non-profits gave intelligence to the Anaheim PD, resulting in raids and arrests of "gang member" youth involved in the rebellion, and work "public relations" for the police, to also pacify people even after the raids, and continue to give information to law enforcement of people most likely to rise up again. Part of this alliance was also because some of the non-profit's funding directly comes from the police, "</span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16.0006px; line-height: 22.858px;">Financial records from the City of Anaheim show that since July 2006, OC Human Relations has received $67,955 from the Anaheim Police Department. Of that amount, $22,251, or 33% of the entire total, was disbursed between November 2011 and September 2012 alone. Several invoices and check request forms show even the monies the city uses to pay yearly dues to OC Human Relations comes out of the police budget, not the general fund."</em></div>
<br />
This also brings up the question that the system is okay with people resisting and being politically involved, because as mentioned, it gives this system legitimacy, but it is controlled resistance. The professional activists and institutional left, give us the only options in which we can resist and participate in a sham movement. We are only allowed to go so far, if people decide to take things further, into direct action, or even if communities erupt in spontaneous rebellion, they always bring in those professional activists to "peace-police" people in the streets . Anyone outside of these institutionalized actions is seen as a bad protester (in some cases are called anarchists, or are even labeled as a provocateur) for choosing to take on different methods of struggle, or go beyond how we are allowed to fight by the institutional left. Everything done by the professional activist is for publicity, for media attention, even staged actions, where people are allowed to join in their actions, but are controlled at the end of the day. The more radical sections of the movement are isolated and pushed away, because it makes for bad publicity, for these "agents of pacification", their role is to pacify people and control how they fight.<br />
<br />
<b>The Problems with Petty Bourgeois Leadership</b><br />
<br />
To talk about professionalization, we also have to look at the class character of the people pushing these reformist agendas. In the imperialist u.s. we definitely get imposed a certain type of leadership, especially for oppressed communities. We always get sold, the pacifist, non-violent leadership, and also the petty bourgeois, and upper middle class people of color, who "made it" in this system, as something we at the bottom should aspire to. <br />
<br />
Of course in times of crisis, these folks also speak out, but from their own class and social position. They too promote peace, and building alliances with the police and state as a whole. These are their limitations of their privileged position. A person's politics and struggle will only go so far as they are allowed to by their class and social position. At the end of the day, many will not commit social/class suicide and give up their wealth and power. This does not mean they cannot support radical movements in different ways, it just means they cannot lead and should not lead. There's a reason why the system promotes and imposes leaders on us, because they are afraid that all we have to realize is that we have nothing to lose.<br />
<br />
So those at the bottom should be at the forefront and put forward our own vision and demands for our own autonomous movements. Many are starting to do this already, all over the world, and we can look to examples like the Zapatistas, and other indigenous people's movements, to Rojova. Imperialist societies creates the need for people to compete for "leadership," even for a spotlight in a movement, and there is a need to define what real leadership is and what is needed.<br />
<br />
Leadership, is not static, but dynamic. It should not be a person who forces or weasels their way into a position of power. Especially if they don't practice self-sacrifice, and have not done any good deeds and continue to do so in a "virtuous" way. What this society promotes is illegitimate power. Leadership is something that has to be transformed into a process of building a capacity to fight, live free, and be truly autonomous: meaning that we are capable of making our own decisions, and live independently of this system. Where all of us see ourselves as responsible for each other, the planet we live on, and the future, instead of putting that responsibility on an individual or group of individuals. From the time we are born, we give someone authority over our lives. We need to change that, starting by not romanticizing people with power and believing that someone else will lead us to freedom. We must do that for ourselves. We can learn from people who have knowledge, skills, and wisdom, and their role will be to pass on these lessons to create more "leaders" who are ready to be good human beings and are prepared to protect their communities and the world as a whole.<br />
<br />
<b>Autonomy vs. Institutional (neo-liberal) Left</b><br />
<br />
"These college-educated revolutionaries unknowingly impose their particular experiences on the revolutionary movement, and particularly, on working class people. They have played a crucial role in unknowingly preventing any working class leadership from developing." (From "<a href="http://www.travelerstoday.com/articles/8476/20140131/the-problem-with-college-educated-revolutionaries.htm">The Problem with College Educated Revolutionaries</a>" by Arturo Castillon)<br />
<br />
I'm writing this as a critique, but I always want to put forward ideas for dialogue in our communities to create different forms of organization that are outside of state institutions (including the professional activist organizations). We need a revolutionary praxis on autonomy. I do feel there are some people that are doing this or trying to do this, from the grassroots level (meaning with no outside funding). The solution to the institutional left is autonomy, and that looks much different then anything they propose for us. It means we work with indigenous people of the land in particular, and oppressed people in general, to create a better world. We can start creating our own infrastructure. Autonomy is grown from the inside, meaning no activist with privileges (especially race and class) can come into a community they are not familiar with, from, or invited to, to tell folks how they will liberate themselves. You cannot impose a vision, or freedom, and you cannot build autonomy, without participation of the original keepers of the land (at least those who aren't cooperating with the state, haven't sold out, or are part of the institutional left themselves). Also what is your relationship to the community where you live or you organize. Do folks there see you as an opportunist who is just using them for a political career, or are you building trust, seeing what their needs are, and struggling to change the conditions together, without a self-righteous savior approach from the organizers?<br />
<br />
The institutional left was put in place because there was a void left by the destroying of organizations like the Black Panther Party, Young Lords, American Indian Movement and so on. After the state waged war on these revolutionary organizations, they understood why they had mass support. They implemented non-profits and NGO's to institutionalize the serve the people programs, while pushing the oppressed into acceptable fields of struggle: unions (who sold out decades ago and are tools for the democratic party), academia, and of course electoral politics. <br />
<br />
If you work for any of these places, this is not a critique about you, especially if you are just using your job to get ends meat, I'm talking about the leadership of those institutions who know very well what they are doing, and very much have a relationship with the state. My opinion is that these non-profits and other institutions like unions, should give resources to the grassroots, with no hidden agenda, without trying to lead us. If not, communities and radicals who work within them, should expropriate those resources for the grassroots. Even though I'm not a mass organizer myself, this is not my role, I understand that we need activists, and we need organizers to gather support grassroot movements for decolonization. As we fight the system, we should also do internal reflection, because many of these neoliberals stand in the way of liberation.<br /><div><br /></div>
Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-91472374204224120732016-02-20T19:48:00.005-08:002016-02-20T19:48:57.569-08:00Free the LandThis needs to be the starting point for any movement for liberation. We are on stolen land and should all go back to the indigenous people of the land.<br />
<br />
How will this happen? It will not happen through the UN or the u.s. government's good will. When have they ever showed they are willing to reconcile? The state is going to fight to protect its illegal occupation until the end. Meaning that we cannot also end colonialism through their courts, or by working within this system.<br />
<br />
Instead of arguing who is more oppressed than who, lets see we all have a common enemy as colonized people. If our true aim is freedom than that's what is needed. The land at the end of the day needs to go back to its rightful owners, at the end of the day. That should be part of any vision for liberation. Then we will all be free and the world will be in a better place, if we discuss our relationship to this land and the indigenous of these lands. These strategies and actions will happen outside of any colonial law or institutions. #fuckthelaw<br />
<br />
http://countercurrentnews.com/2015/09/return-all-native-land-to-tribes/#Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-42072909016792055962016-01-25T11:54:00.001-08:002016-01-25T11:54:38.120-08:00
Summation of the Decolonial Gathering<p dir="ltr"><br>
Summation of the Decolonial Gathering<br>
-Organizing Collective of the Decolonial Gathering<br>
2016 and Beyond</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Decolonization, as we know, is a historical process... Decolonization is the meeting of two forces, opposed to each other by their very nature ...” (“Concerning Violence” Wretched of the Earth by Franz Fanon)</p>
<p dir="ltr">Intro</p>
<p dir="ltr">This is drafted as a reflection and summation of the gathering organized on August 29th 2015 in South Central Occupied Yangna (So Called Los Angeles – Tongva Nation Land) by collective participants. We hope to discuss what were our intentions (the vision and proposal of the Decolonial Gathering), what we learned by organizing this and on the day, and what we hope the next steps will be for the collective and in the communities where we are guests. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Our Intentions</p>
<p dir="ltr">“Once we recognize the truth of this injustice we can think about ways to resist and challenge colonial institutions and ideologies. Thus, decolonization is not passive; rather, it requires something called praxis. Brazilian liberatory educator Paulo Freire defined praxis as “reflection and action upon the world in order to transform it.” This is the means by which we turn from being subjugated human beings to being liberated beings. In accepting the premise of colonization and working towards decolonization, we are not relegating ourselves to a status as victims. On the contrary, we are actively working toward our own freedom to transform our lives and the world around us. The project that begins with our minds, therefore, has revolutionary potential.” (From “What is Decolonization” For Indigenous Eyes Only: A Decolonization Handbook by Waziyatawin and Michael Yellow Bird)</p>
<p dir="ltr"> The two things that come to mind in terms of our intentions for the Decolonial Gathering (DG) are these two sentences from the original call for this gathering:<br>
“We hope to not just organize another event or teach-in; we hope that we can build a network to begin with and strategic alliances as we fight this system of white-supremacy/capitalism/imperialism/colonialism/patriarchy, and towards common goals and vision. We also hope folks can learn from each other, common experience, so we can continue to advance towards a decolonized and free world.<br>
If what we are talking about is true decolonization and autonomy, something that is land based, the indigenous people from this continent and hemisphere have to be in the forefront of this struggle (from Alaska to Argentina), and the fight to free the land, water, air and ourselves of colonialism has to be supported across imperialist borders and all regions.” <br>
The first point is about being effective, and being serious about what we are trying to do. We felt that we have organized events in the past, and while everything serves a purpose (in particular maybe, education, raising consciousness, raising funds, protesting, etc.) we wanted to do something different. We wanted to at least put out a proposal, not just in Los Angeles, but beyond that we start networking with each other to really fight the system of white supremacy, colonialism, patriarchy, and capitalism-imperialism. We need to come together and start building relationships with each other, especially those who are serious. As well as learn from our experiences, from all over, both our victories and our failures. We further explained this in another statement released prior to the DG to begin organizing in a collective: “We are living in a time of struggle and upheaval, which is a good thing, let's talk strategy and build strategic alliances based on clear principles and guidelines for a world free of occupation, anti-blackness, transmisogyny, anti-indigeneity, colonialism, white supremacist hetero-patriarchal capitalist-imperialist system. Mother Earth is in crisis, combativity needs to increase if we hope to have a world to pass to the next generation. Let's start by learning from each other, our elders, women, children, etc, lets decentralize knowledge. Lets build a network, and share materials needed all over Turtle Island, Abya Yala and beyond. Lets smash this system, and create the world we want to see today.” <br>
The second point even more important, because if we are truly talking about decolonization, recognizing that and acknowledging that we are on stolen Tongva Land in so called Los Angeles, but beyond and on this continent, is indigenous land, therefore we do not have a status on this land other than that we are guests here and most non-white people are here because of u.s. Imperialism, but leadership should come from those whose land we stand on, and indigenous people in general. So we wanted to invite Tongva elders who we have met in the past and have tried to support, to be part of the organizing, planning and building of this gathering, and asked for input, and attempt to follow protocol, in asking for permission to have this gathering, being that the DG organizers are not Tongva. We also wanted to invite other indigenous people who are in the frontlines, and who are fighting and setting examples in decolonization today, but also be clear on who we felt needed to come together at this moment in time: those who are victims but also are resisting colonialism. <br>
Too many times have these conversations been controlled by academia and professional activists, and excluded those at the bottom, and in particular indigenous and African people. We wanted to reclaim and take this process away from their hands and into the hands of the communities in resistance and those at the bottom, away from the professionals. We didn't want any particular organization to come in and try to promote themselves, which also happens too many times at these gatherings, it was to build with each other and build alliances, not to promote any particular group. We also didn't want to make it about what the oppressor, and those who benefit from oppression, are doing, but what we needed to do as the oppressed. <br>
Once the collective came together and decisions were made, we started coming to consensus on many things. We discussed the flyer, vision, outreach, fundraising, and whether we wanted to make this a “People of Color” space exclusively. What we agreed on was that we would make it an intentional people of color space, meaning that white folks would not be excluded but they had to understand that this was time for oppressed people, with a non-genocidal legacy, to come together and build with each other first. </p>
<p dir="ltr">What We Learned</p>
<p dir="ltr">“I believe this idea we have out here in the West Coast, acknowledging the land and your status... you have certain limits and certain restrictions... What we are saying we don't have the right to be on this land, it is a privilege... We are restraining personal power as a form of respect.” -(From “Decolonizing the Colonizer” talk by Sakej Ward) </p>
<p dir="ltr"> This gathering had great conversations and a good network was built and strengthened. We came together as a collective and were able to not only organize the gathering but events leading up to the gathering. Still we learned, that we have more relationships to build especially with indigenous people of this territory, but also it is ok if they don't want to build with us as well (that is their choice). <br>
As people affected by colonialism and it’s State Apparatus, indigenous people from other parts (including African people), and people of color in general, we are here because of different circumstances but forced to be here. It is important work through decolonization to build a collective dynamic to uplift these legacies and commit to the necessary healing of kidnapped, enslaved and deculturalized Africans as well. Because self-determination is often harder to grasp when self hood has been stripped away. We are still outsiders to this land, but don't have a legacy of genocide and occupation as the white supremacist capitalist-imperialists in power. Still because we are not of this land, we understand to take up a supposrtive role of those whose land we are on, who’s knowledeg and relationship to the land is valuable for the proliferation of their people and ongoing fight for liberation. We hope to get behind initiatives of Tongva as a collective, if they want to work with any of us. There is no unified voice in any community, but we hope to continue to work with Tongva elders who are still resisting occupation to this day. We bring a question to those who are guests on this land and to those who have been historically looted ‘what is your ancestral relationships to the Nation State? Does that inform some collective-individual responsibilities and future actions you have to those still oppressed by it?’<br><br></p>
<p dir="ltr">Next Steps</p>
<p dir="ltr"> As mentioned, the DG had great conversations and presentations. We were able to hear stories from elders and warriors who have had victories in the past that we can learn from, and continue to fight in the present. We met great folks in Yangna and beyond imperialist borders. We hope to continue to build as a collective and with the network we strengthened through this gathering. We continue to build with communities and folks who weren't able to be at this gathering, and to support struggles here where we live (in particular of indigenous people) and beyond. We want to win, and we want freedom.<br>
</p>
Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6091375372066322679.post-87747685301147113362016-01-07T02:16:00.002-08:002016-01-07T02:16:36.542-08:00Interview for Beyond the Wall of Injustice zine<b style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; text-align: -webkit-center; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 22px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4i_hoec9oDpAgPxIiORCVODP2_02pq4dLBKAoBnh9eI2oAp-Z9BLotLBtc7oEwbVOS_vJAG-7lhyKeOGRu4QUGs-T-RNUcPgeytaErxVUyenqd5Y-cc5ZjtHo805JvTEnVmC6TmSmWAl4/s1600/joaquincinpowertothepeoplesalute-256x342.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3EhUUe70WKNg47i62265AWxrBjMjVOQjgO_42eV_W245VtsOWg475aOWcciLCu1GPDfgiAuYuyo0OQVYa3iNnJw7tDVw9-YeUUUuMX70wTJdwSkZ3PNhqf2AN4zLFUKW7XqeKhpCgOLW/s1600/joaquincinclasstruggleconfrenece-438x322.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3EhUUe70WKNg47i62265AWxrBjMjVOQjgO_42eV_W245VtsOWg475aOWcciLCu1GPDfgiAuYuyo0OQVYa3iNnJw7tDVw9-YeUUUuMX70wTJdwSkZ3PNhqf2AN4zLFUKW7XqeKhpCgOLW/s320/joaquincinclasstruggleconfrenece-438x322.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4i_hoec9oDpAgPxIiORCVODP2_02pq4dLBKAoBnh9eI2oAp-Z9BLotLBtc7oEwbVOS_vJAG-7lhyKeOGRu4QUGs-T-RNUcPgeytaErxVUyenqd5Y-cc5ZjtHo805JvTEnVmC6TmSmWAl4/s320/joaquincinpowertothepeoplesalute-256x342.jpg" width="239" /></span></span></b><br />
<b style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; text-align: -webkit-center; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 22px;">Beyond the Wall of Injustice <br soft="" />zine coming soon in 2016</span></span></b><br />
<br />
http://diyzine.com/zine2016<br />
<br />
1) Let's say I have a friend who got out of jail, has a felony, and needs to find work. What suggestion would you<br />
give them?<br />
<br />
Well this depends on what city you live in. There is an organization made up of formerly incarcerated people<br />
called All of Us or None, who is working on a campaign to “Ban the Box,” to end discrimination in the work place of<br />
people with felonies or violent misdemeanors. Los Angeles where I live still has a lot of work to do in terms on<br />
banning the box (where employers ask if you have felonies), but other cities have eliminated the question from job<br />
applications. For poor and working class men of color in particular but poor people of color in general, police<br />
harassment, and jail and prison becomes more likely, in a country with over 2 million people in prison, mainly for<br />
non-violent crimes. Understanding that having a job in this capitalist society is necessary part of survival. I would<br />
suggest going into the non-profit sector, even though we understand that these organizations are a contradiction,<br />
and are not a solution to systemic oppression, we should just approach it as a job, and nothing else, you will deal<br />
with similar bull shit. I have a record, a “violent misdemeanor” not a felony, but it's treated the same by most jobs. <br />
I did not know this in the beginning until I started seeing jobs turn me down. I started working for labor unions as<br />
an organizer, because even though they check your record, they don't discriminate based on this, at least not all<br />
of them, some do. They pay better than most jobs, but you have to deal with long hours and bull shit from union<br />
bosses. I think we need to start creating our own cooperatives as a model, but also to provide a means to survive,<br />
while we destroy the system of capitalism. <br />
For more info check out http://bantheboxcampaign.org/<br />
<br />
2)Another friend is a high school drop out, and has no college degree and needs to find work, but wishes to work<br />
for non-profit groups who make a difference. What web site should the person look at, and what suggestion would<br />
you give?<br />
<br />
Usually non-profits post job listings on Idealist.org<br />
also just going on Craigslist the jobs section has non-profits (watch out for scams though)<br />
If you are looking to work for a union they usually post on unionjobs.com<br />
<br />
3)Does a college degree really make a big difference in getting a job?<br />
<br />
Actually there are a lot of folks who graduate from college, and are out of a job, or are getting paid minimum wage<br />
or similar wages.<br />
What's more important nowadays is experience, and your network (who you know)<br />
<br />
4)Let's say a single parent is very interested in getting a college education, but can't due to full time work and<br />
watching their kid. What can they do?<br />
<br />
There are programs that can help single parents, some community colleges offer day care, also Cal Works is a<br />
similar program.<br />
<br />
5)You come from an activist movement. How come they never talk about realistic future stuff when they get older<br />
like: paying bills, careers, money budgeting, savings for a future kid's school, and having funds for a parent's<br />
funeral?<br />
<br />
This is a problem with the movement in general Jay. A lot of us come from the working class, or “lumpen<br />
proletariat” and organizing full time becomes unrealistic, when we have to survive, and sometimes have a family. <br />
Many activists come from the middle class, or have parents that help them, which allows them to live this “super<br />
activist lifestyle.” At the end it becomes very self-righteous and elitist excluding other people at the bottom who<br />
have harder time surviving and balancing work and the movement. For me, it's just about finding the balance,<br />
working with people you care for and trust and building the long lasting relationships, commitment, and level of<br />
combativity and discipline that will take to wage this fight. As a father personally, this means mainly working with<br />
my son, to make sure he will be a good human being and a warrior. Our struggle has to be generational. Meaning<br />
we have to think of the future generations, how we are preparing them, and what we are doing to protect the<br />
planet they will inherit. <br />
<br />
6)Tell us about some of the jobs you had in the past, and how did you find them?<br />
<br />
I've had different jobs, I mean as someone who is rebellious and anti-authoritarian, I don't get along with bosses, or<br />
conform very well. I've worked for unions, those have been the longer jobs I've had, but there is always something<br />
that bothers me about these corporations. I think we want to build a cooperative at the moment, I'm tired of bosses.<br />
<br />
7) What are some good and bad stories of some of your jobs you had in the past.<br />
<br />
Skip hahaha<br />
<br />
8)Why are some of the activists that I have met, always anti-money and are always so broke? Some can barely<br />
pay rent. What can we do about this problem?<br />
<br />
I think I spoke to this question already.<br />
<br />
9.I have a good friend who is undocumented and worked hard at a restaurant and at bars, and has $10,000 in his<br />
savings. He is also going to college. Why is it that people from other countries seem to work harder and know how<br />
to save?<br />
<br />
I think it's the work ethic, but also it's also true in other countries people rest well but work hard. They have a more<br />
relaxed lifestyle as well. The u.s. Creates this idea where there are bad workers and good workers, hard workers<br />
and lazy workers. How can someone be motivated to work, if all your money is going to bills, and you're barely<br />
getting by? Where you have to work 3 jobs in order to survive with the wages we are getting? Undocumented<br />
people in particular are super-exploited and aren't paid the correct wages, and many times get their wages stolen<br />
from them by their employers. There are cases where individuals can save, but sometimes it just comes down to<br />
hustle, but we are getting exploited regardless.<br />
<br />
10)How do you picture Los Angeles if all the undocumented people left the city?<br />
<br />
Capitalism in general relies and lives off the super-exploitation of undocumented people, they are the ones who<br />
cook, clean, pick your food, etc etc etc, and don't get paid enough to do it. This system creates the situation<br />
where they are systematically are held at the bottom, and those are the only jobs they can get while denying many<br />
people of work as a whole. They can pay undocumented workers less, and have them living in fear so they don't<br />
complain or organize. Undocumented people however have always been in the front lines, even though people try<br />
to patronize and undermine their potential and their rage.<br />
http://bantheboxcampaign.org/<br />
Joaquin speaking at Class Struggle Anarchist Conference 2008 NYC<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------Joaquin Cienfuegoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17674565850289555397noreply@blogger.com0