also, saying "i'm not a yank" doesn't actually get me out of anything because canadians are just yanks with a pop filter. what it really just means is that i don't have a dsa or really any good equivalent nearby. i'd rely on the loose networks of activists i already know personally :anarchy:
If there's no existing org one can join, I'd also strongly consider involvement in unionization organizing or tenant organizing. There always something like that around and can do real lasting good and is a good gateway to set up something more communist-y.
yeah i'm already involved in some of that kind of stuff, to the extent that' it's possible. i'm no longer actively with the project, but i initiated a group that helped put together a semi-permanent housing solution on the generosity of someone in the community. food not bombs is a beautiful little project when i have the time
the biggest problem is that covid has really slaughtered our ability to organize in the region. one of the crucial points i should have mentioned when i brought up my desire to do a direct action, and i think sometimes we forget this, is that actually getting out there and using your body to directly further a cause can feel really really exhilarating and refreshing. actions can instantly pull crowds of people into a "movement" in a broad sense if you pull them off correctly and make a big enough splash. organizations have a tendency to institutionalize or die off though, and even if they remain radical they usually can't take the risks involved in a lot of street actions. the relationship between these street activists and unions has a very interesting history and there are some bright moments to learn from.
as much as i'm itching for some kind of legitimate communist party (the existing ones are pretty much student clubs and extremely cringe), i'm also itching to see what we can do on the ground right now, and especially once the weather warms up
beautiful sentiment. All very true. One positive aspect of the pandemic I think will be how it made clear what's really important for people (social connections and not material possessions) and how quickly and effectively communities can organize to provide social help (neighbors shopping for each other etc.) and that it heightened the contradictions of course so I think post-Covid "normies" will be more open to get involved. You need only tell people how when the workers stayed home for a few days and the CEOs could work in mid 2020 the entire world economy basically shat its pants in a week and a half and they can see where the power really lies.
Try to join a local communist org. Join the DSA (yuck) if you need to. Hookup with some folks. Don't do shit on your own.
thanks for the advice but this ain't my first rodeo and i'm not a yank
I deeply apologize for insulting you like this. I jumped to that because Matt's stuff is almost exclusively yank-centric. Again. I'm really sorry.
no problem my dude, i get it.
also, saying "i'm not a yank" doesn't actually get me out of anything because canadians are just yanks with a pop filter. what it really just means is that i don't have a dsa or really any good equivalent nearby. i'd rely on the loose networks of activists i already know personally :anarchy:
oh you're a canuck? I take everything back
spoiler
jk
If there's no existing org one can join, I'd also strongly consider involvement in unionization organizing or tenant organizing. There always something like that around and can do real lasting good and is a good gateway to set up something more communist-y.
yeah i'm already involved in some of that kind of stuff, to the extent that' it's possible. i'm no longer actively with the project, but i initiated a group that helped put together a semi-permanent housing solution on the generosity of someone in the community. food not bombs is a beautiful little project when i have the time
the biggest problem is that covid has really slaughtered our ability to organize in the region. one of the crucial points i should have mentioned when i brought up my desire to do a direct action, and i think sometimes we forget this, is that actually getting out there and using your body to directly further a cause can feel really really exhilarating and refreshing. actions can instantly pull crowds of people into a "movement" in a broad sense if you pull them off correctly and make a big enough splash. organizations have a tendency to institutionalize or die off though, and even if they remain radical they usually can't take the risks involved in a lot of street actions. the relationship between these street activists and unions has a very interesting history and there are some bright moments to learn from.
as much as i'm itching for some kind of legitimate communist party (the existing ones are pretty much student clubs and extremely cringe), i'm also itching to see what we can do on the ground right now, and especially once the weather warms up
beautiful sentiment. All very true. One positive aspect of the pandemic I think will be how it made clear what's really important for people (social connections and not material possessions) and how quickly and effectively communities can organize to provide social help (neighbors shopping for each other etc.) and that it heightened the contradictions of course so I think post-Covid "normies" will be more open to get involved. You need only tell people how when the workers stayed home for a few days and the CEOs could work in mid 2020 the entire world economy basically shat its pants in a week and a half and they can see where the power really lies.