“If voting changed anything, they’d make it illegal.” - Emma Goldman
What we’re reading:
(2018). “There’s no such thing as revolutionary government” Crimethinc.
This week, we’re reading a detailed account on the history of revolutionary movements in which it is argued that the use of the state apparatus is what unites these movements in their failures. With specific regard to communist movements of the 20th century, they argue that the logic of the working class simply taking over the state is inherently flawed. The author then brings these themes into the context of the current global economy and outlines an alternative vision for an anarchist future: “Building local projects capable of addressing immediate needs through direct action and solidarity, interconnecting them on a global scale, we can take steps down the road toward a world in which no one can rule anyone else.”
Mbah, S. and Igariwey, I.E. (2001). African Anarchism: The History of a Movement. The Anarchist Library.
This week we’re reading excerpts from a comprehensive book covering the history of revolutionary movements and anarchism in the African context. First outlining the principles and history of anarchism itself, Mbah and Igariwey then turn to the history of the movement in Africa, arguing that it can provide a better alternative for the continent than the state socialism it often witnessed following the end of colonial rule. In doing so, they offer an understanding for the future of class struggle and political movements in Africa.
Molyneux, M. “No God, No Boss, No Husband: Anarchist Feminism in Nineteenth-Century Argentina.” Latin American Perspectives, Vol. 13, No. 1.
This week, we’re reading the history of the 19th century anarcha-feminist movement in Argentina, La Voz de la Mujer, named after the movement’s literary publication at the time. A history rarely told and barely known, this article provides an in depth survey of this incredibly rich chapter of Argetinain history, all while connecting it to the history of anarcha-feminist movements more broadly.
What we’re watching:
Film : Pontecorvo, G. (1966). The Battle of Algiers. Rizzoli.
This week, we’re watching the 1966 film based on events by rebels during the Algerian War of Independence against the French government in North Africa, most notably in the Battle of Algiers. The film is widely celebrated both by insurgent groups and state authorities as being an important commentary on urban guerrilla warfare.
What we’re listening to :
Podcast : The Ex-Worker. “#26: Anarcha-Feminism, Part I: Introduction and Herstory.” Crimethinc.
This week we’re listening to a podcast from The Ex Worker that seeks to understand what is anarcha-feminism, the contribution it has made to feminism and anarchism, and the expressions of Anarcha-Feminism in movements both present and past.