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News :: Miscellaneous |
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When Demonstrators Think They Can Use "the Master's Tools" (art) |
Current rating: 0 |
by unmediated artists syndicate
Email: hope4a (nospam) yahoo.com (unverified!) |
09 Feb 2002
Modified: 10 Feb 2002 |
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History (as documented by Howard Zinn and others) shows us that when comparitively weak groups imagine that they can utilize "The Master's Tools" *when it really counts* they often find themselves *being tooled* instead. This art questions the value of engaging domestic implementers of policy in traditional formal ways. anti-copyright art |
 History (as documented by Howard Zinn and others) shows us that when comparitively weak groups imagine that they can utilize "The Master's Tools" *when it really counts* they often find themselves *being tooled* instead. This art questions the value of engaging domestic implementers of policy in traditional formal ways. anti-copyright art |
With all this in mind, people called protesters still have choices. We don't have to engage the police. And we can begin, now, envisioning otheer ways to heighten awareness of injustice.
Look at how Greenpeace goes about it. Or the methods of Saul Alynsky. I see informal methods of interaction as much more important than these formal methods, and I hope you will too. I don't have enough time right now to expound on this, but hopefully we can get into this more soon!
a good example of an informal method:
http://pub44.ezboard.com/fanarchismfrm1.showMessage?topicID=285.topic
Your thoughtful feedback is greatly appreciated!
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uas welcomes in-the-heart art contributions from artists willing to do their work without copyright and without monetary payment. (How important to you is speaking up against the prevailing tide in ways that may actually inspire crucial activity? We think it's important enough to escape the confines of all that the art industry throws upon us!) Note: e-mail may be attacked (causing your mail to bounce, etc.) due to putting it up openly in such a sustained and challenging way, so look for future posts with other email addresses if you have trouble getting through. |
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mental illness is not a myth |
by Joe Futrelle
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
10 Feb 2002
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I am completely fed up with the simplistic romanticization of mental illness as an evil plot to suppress dissent.
Mental illness is real. I have been hospitalized for a manic episode during which I nearly accidentally killed myself because I thought I could fly, and thanks to the mental health profession I am now not only recovered, but also no less politically radical or active then I happened to be at the time. If anything, I am *more* active now, since I no longer suffer from crippling bouts of depression that used to make me afraid to open my mouth or venture out of bed for weeks on end.
Of course there are lots of problems with the mental health profession, but to characterize mental health treatments like drugs and ECT as "intimidations" is an insult to the thousands of people like me who have been helped by these treatments, and to the good doctors who conscientiously prescribe these treatments in order to help alleviate suffering.
So what should radicals' approach be to mental health issues? We should be critical of the way mental health is characterized and treated. We should be informed. And we should look after the mental health of our fellow activists, by respecting that the mental health problems they have are real, and that the road towards treatment and recovery is not an easy one. I have had my share of run-ins with mental health professionals. But as misguided as I think some of them are, I will not allow them or their profession to be villified. |
