Kids these days...
I went and volunteered at Boxcar Books yesterday for the yearly inventory, and, though I might not go so far as to say I regret it, I was certainly disappointed by the experience. I can't figure out what the story is with these young anarchists here in Bloomington---for all I know, this problem is found everywhere, numerous exchanges in the
anarchists community here on LJ lead me to believe this is the case---but they have a very insular attitude that I cannot seem to break through. Nearly everyone I've met has seemed closed off to everyone and anyone who is not already part of their "crowd". And I am definitely not part of that crowd---I am too old, I do not dress all in black, I am not a crusty punk (and have no intention of becoming one), and I am considerably more conservative in appearance and demeanor. This latter, I think, makes me seem suspicious to some---or perhaps I am just being paranoid. In the abscence of any communication, one's mind begins to leap to conclusions.
Now, for myself, I have to say that I am not the friendliest person you are ever going to meet---in a crowd of people I do not know, I am just about the last one who is going to walk up to someone and say, "Hello, I'm Charles, pleased to meet you!." That is just not me. I tend to be on the lookout for the other people who, like myself, stay on the fringes, 'cause the fringes are where I feel comfortable, and I feel comfortable with other people on the fringes. The narrowness of my comfort zone is a reality I need to deal with, clearly, and I am really uncertain how to begin. Spending more time with other people would be a good start.
That said, this problem goes beyond the limitations of my own personality, and my own likes and dislikes. I am quite seriously concerned with changing the deplorable state of this nation and the world of which it is an inextricable part. And it is my firm conviction that some form of anarchism can, must, and will be part of the solution to humanity's worldwide crisis, which I believe can be stated succinctly with the question, "How then shall we live?" I like this question because it encompasses a wide range of concerns, be they ethical, moral, spiritual, ecological, cultural, or political---and in every one of these areas of concern anarchism has a history of engagement, debate, and action from which encouragement and inspiration can and should be drawn. I truly believe that this is my life's work, and nearly everything that I do or consider doing is, in some way, shape, or form, an aspect of that project. Anarchism is my belief system and it is my morality, and I feel no contradiction in calling myself an anarchist and a Christian---indeed, to me, they are one and the same.
And so, the question for me, now, in this place and at this time, is: How do I make use of the opportunities this town affords me that Valparaiso/Portage/Hobart, etc., did not? The fact is, Boxcar is here, and I would be a damn obstinate fool (mea culpa) if I did not take advantage of its existence. The plain fact is, I love the place, and I am glad that it exists. Anything that I can do to defend and improve the place, I will do. Beyond that, though, what am I prepared to do? I was discussing with
woe_cruel_world the other day the possibility of running a workshop about New Orleans/southern Louisiana at Boxcar. I really like this idea for a number of reasons: I love that area; I am fascinated by the ecology, history, and culture of the region and the interrelationships and coevolution of the three; and I am outraged by the destruction of the lower Mississippi Delta/Atchafalaya Basin by the actions of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. The story of what happened down there is, in microcosm, the story of this nation, the criminal ineptness of the United States government, and the State in general. The fate of that region is one of the most important moral, ecological, and political issues of our time.
In closing, a few words about the au courant anarcho-crust uniform, as I like to think of it. There is really nothing radical or daring about the clothes anyone wears anymore. Everything supposedly daring is instantly recuperated and turned into instant trash. I would think we would have learned something from the experience last year of that informant who infiltrated the anarchist ranks, and who spent time here in B-ton last summer. She dressed just like everyone else, and fit right in. That's what informants do. Obviously, someone in a suit, my preferred form of dress, is going to stand out. How about we give one another a break when it comes to matters of fashion? In the final analysis, do we really give a damn how anyone dresses?
They got Burton suits. Huh, you think it's funny
Turning rebelion into money.
-The Clash, "(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais"