I mean, this seems to be an actual anarchist group that's done actual anarchist organizing stuff before this. I don't think we can write this one off as "fake internet anarchists".
the article has a fairly neutral tone so I'd say it's most likely true
Not a great way to evaluate veracity. Similar articles from the same outlet will casually refer to AES states as dictatorships, for instance. The nonchalant tone just signals "everyone knows this and you're a fool if you dare question it."
This article pulls from research by a Cuban-born, Cuban-educated academic (El cuerpo nunca olvida by Abel Sierra Madero). That research would probably be the best take on the subject if someone better at Spanish wants to track it down (it mentions interviews with actual participants). From the El Pais article, even reading with a critical eye, it seems fair to say:
From 1965 to 1968 the Military Units to Aid Production (UMAP) system existed, which served as "served as centers of production and political correction." I'd call those "labor camps," although the article provides little information on typical conditions (though it does hint at some bad anecdotes).
There was at least "the pretext of performing compulsory military service," and "homosexuals and religious people predominated." Not a lot is said about who had what intentions with respect to the program, but it's clear there was some prejudice.
30,000 people passed through UMAP out of a 1965 population of 8 million, or about 0.375% of Cubans.
Other leftist tendencies have argued for making strategic alliances with non-leftists in the name of achieving a goal. For example, MLs arguing that anti-imperialism sometimes necessitates making alliances with nationalist groups in opposition of foreign occupation. So I don't see why an anarchist couldn't argue that making an alliance with a LESS authoritarian state to oppose the aggression of a MORE authoritarian one is any different than an ML arguing for making an alliance with the national bourgeoisie against the imperialist bourgeoisie.
Well, because “authoritarian” isn’t actually a real thing, I always got the impression modern anarchists had more complex beliefs than that (and have good reason to have that impression)
I hate it when liberals call themselves anarchists, it's really harming the reputation of actual anarchists
I mean, this seems to be an actual anarchist group that's done actual anarchist organizing stuff before this. I don't think we can write this one off as "fake internet anarchists".
Why would anarchists help the Ukrainian state though?
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https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67U4JE/
Not willing to take Reuters completely at their word, but the article has a fairly neutral tone so I'd say it's most likely true.
Removed by mod
Not a great way to evaluate veracity. Similar articles from the same outlet will casually refer to AES states as dictatorships, for instance. The nonchalant tone just signals "everyone knows this and you're a fool if you dare question it."
This article pulls from research by a Cuban-born, Cuban-educated academic (El cuerpo nunca olvida by Abel Sierra Madero). That research would probably be the best take on the subject if someone better at Spanish wants to track it down (it mentions interviews with actual participants). From the El Pais article, even reading with a critical eye, it seems fair to say:
They view it as the lesser evil state.
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reason: Sectarianism
This isn’t a case of No True Scotsman, if you’re sending guns to a bourgoisie state you’re not an anarchist lmao
Like imagine someone claiming Pol Pot is indicative of real ML’s or something
Well, if we're gonna go down that route.
Other leftist tendencies have argued for making strategic alliances with non-leftists in the name of achieving a goal. For example, MLs arguing that anti-imperialism sometimes necessitates making alliances with nationalist groups in opposition of foreign occupation. So I don't see why an anarchist couldn't argue that making an alliance with a LESS authoritarian state to oppose the aggression of a MORE authoritarian one is any different than an ML arguing for making an alliance with the national bourgeoisie against the imperialist bourgeoisie.
Well, because “authoritarian” isn’t actually a real thing, I always got the impression modern anarchists had more complex beliefs than that (and have good reason to have that impression)
I was an anarchist for several years and still have friends in that community and the term authoritarian is still very much popular and commonly used