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Parent Article: More Media Bias and Slander, Disinformation etc |
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Hidden with code "Duplicate post" |
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The streets are ours -- to be used as we see fit. |
by Worker T. Rule
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
25 Sep 2006
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Sisters and Brothers,
I believe the question of whether or not it is appropriate to take the dialogue regarding FW Wahlfeldt to the streets and to the door step of the boss paper NG is first a question for the individual maligned, Bob himself, and second a question for the communities that are also affected by the ideological and personal assault perpetrated by the author and the editors of the paper.
The rhetoric used against our friend and neighbor is nothing new or shocking. But we do not have to submit to the injury. And we do not need to be pacified by any persons who might identify in this case with the dominant values that define acceptable political debate and action in terms of courtesy and responding in boss or government controlled contexts. What could Bob or any of his friends or sympathizers expect from this paper when such attempts are made?
Surely not fair treatment -- afterall, this attack was veiled as an opinion, but insead it was a pointed personal attack where our brother was singled out and then used for a general attack against dissent and dissenters. Thus, this INJURY TO ONE, became and INJURY TO ALL.
What then are our choices? Well, we can expect that if our enemies received the same sort of attack the response would be with lawsuits, think tank media blitzes, and public addresses to defend their interests, in the contexts where they have the upper hand.
My friends have taught me that those of us not enjoying power and wealth begin with two places of limited power in addition to the greatest source of our power: our labor, on the shop floor. The first is in our homes, for there are too many for the powerful to infiltrate, burn, or bulldoze. The second is in the street, for there are too many of us and too many of us watching for them to, in many cases, capture, fire on, or bomb out of existence.
Obviously, the injury from the attack is not the same as the havoc unleashed on our brothers and sisters around the world using the bulk of the nation's tax dollars for the bombs and torture and rape and murderous wars. Nor is it as serious as the injuries brought on by the other bulk of our, used in the captivity and torture and rape that descends into institutional murder of our fellow citizens in the prison slave complex of the bosses and politicians. Or the injustice through the lack of taxes being spent for the health and welfare of our sisters who are raising our youngest brothers and sisters as single parents.
And yet, the call has been made to respond to the injury by the NG. The attack was different than a theoretical or realistic criticism, which I think would make sense to respond to only in that forum. And I would not discount using this avenue to respond, as well.
But, I do not believe whether or not to protest is a question of appropriateness in this case. I would hope to welcome criticism based on tactical and strategic grounds. Something like, "If you're going to be out in the street why not include some of the systematic abuses the NG doles out on a daily basis, such as it's biased coverage of violence in the schools that perpetuates racism in our culture to the harm of African Americans, and, as a result, everyone to varying degrees."
Or, "Why has the NG not covered the suffering of the GI's returning from combat and the complete lack of healthcare they receive -- that's issue to include when you're demanding some respect!" Or, "Why stop at a protest, why not demonstrate the problem with the paper by...because it continually fails to give a perspective that is structurally critical of the status quo rather than the superficial commentary provided by what serves as the liberal perspective."
This type of dialogue will assist us with building the many movements for justice into one. So that individually and collectively we can see as resistance all responses to classism, as exemplified by the 'potato-peeler' comment, or the racism ennacted in the coverage of our schools, or the homophobia apparent in the omission of coverage of the gay marriage movement as an equal rights struggle - rather than a politician's movement, which is actually going to limit our rights by constitutional amendment.
At any point people take to the streets it is an inspiration to us all, even when it is tactically or strategically flawed. At any point an individual or group stands in opposition to oppression it is our duty to join with them in what ways we believe to be tactically and strategically effective. I hope that when I am in the line of fire my friends will come to my side, and I hope those who hear of it will support us as well.
As for this protest, I expect it will be effective at showing we will not be intimidated to shy away from simply speaking our mind. And that we will come to each other's defense when we are attacked personally or as a group. I expect the media, and NG in particular, if they chose to cover the event, will attempt to spin it as the left trying to censor the media. Ironic, since self-censorship may be their greatest achievement.
More importantly, I believe we will rise from our homes or safe places where we build our solidarity with eachother and go into public places to reach out to the community to plan the protest, and on into the streets, we will again prove that the spirit of freedom is not dead and that we can unite in ways that each of our individual and group voices can be heard to defend our interests and build the solutions to tyranny today, as is our hope for everyday.
As for planning on-line, that's pretty difficult. It's hard for me to develop trust or even know who I'm addressing.
for One Big Union,
Worker T. Rule
iww.org |
