“This type of historical awareness is a key reminder
that we still live in a society deeply divided by class. The actions of
the past stand as inspiring, yet unfinished movements to continue to
build upon and to adapt to present conditions.” (Nicholas Lampert, Realising the Impossible).
With
occupations and general strikes taking place around the world, what
better time to read up on some ideas to help further the struggle. We
can learn from those who have walked similar paths before us—their
methods and tactics, successes and failures. And we can be inspired to
push our actions further.
Here's a few titles that we hope may be relevant:
Lucy Parsons: Freedom, Equality & Solidarity – Writings & Speeches, 1878-1937
For anarchist Lucy Parsons, a general strike and an occupation are synonyms.
Her amazing speech can be read
here.
Other elements of her talks resonate greatly with the present moment.
Parsons discusses her experiences with the police and state murder of
her husband, sadly relevant to recent police violence. Parsons talks
about how U.S. residents drew inspiration from struggles around the
world, another parallel to the present where protests around the world
look to each other for ideas and motivation. Parsons also discusses
gender divisions within movements of her day, issues which we still need
to address today.
Read more here.
Rabble Rousers & Merry Pranksters: A History of Anarchism in Aotearoa/New Zealand from the Mid-1950s to the Early 1980s
Rabble Rousers and Merry Pranksters
captures some of the imagination, the audacity, the laughs and the
wildness that animated many of the social movements of the sixties and
seventies in Aoteaora/New Zealand. During this time, particularly from
the late sixties to the early seventies, an astonishingly broad-based
revolt occurred throughout the country. Thousands of workers, Maori,
Pacific people, women, youth, lesbians, gays, students,
environmentalists and others rebelled against authority. Innovative new
styles and anarchistic methods of political dissent became popular.
Read more here.
We Are Everywhere: The Irresistible Rise of Global Anti-Capitalism
7″
5″, b&w photo-studded tour of the global justice movement’s many
locales and leaderless actors, from a mostly London-based editorial
collective that includes an editor of New Internationalist magazine. The
book is divided into seven primer-like chapters-”Emergence,”
“Networks,” “Autonomy,” “Carnival,” “Clandestinity,” “Power” and
“Walking”-each with a headline-like subtitle (e.g., “Power: building it
without taking it”). The book as a whole makes a case for “direct
action,” or organized resistance to specific policies or decisions
Read more here
Pacifism as Pathology: Reflections on the Role of Armed Struggle in North America (2nd edition)
Pacifism as Pathology
was written as a response not only to Churchill’s frustration with his
own activist experience, but also to a debate raging in the activist and
academic communities. He argues that pacifism is in many ways
counterrevolutionary; that it defends the status quo, rather than
leading to social change. In these times of upheaval and global protest,
this is a vital and extremely relevant book.
Read more here
Gathering Rage: The Failure Of 20th Century Revolutions To Develop A Feminist Agenda
In
Gathering Rage,
writer, poet,and activist Margaret Randall describes how two of these
revolutions, in Nicaragua and Cuba, addressed or failed to address a
feminist agenda. Writing as both observer and participant, Randall
vividly describes how in each case, to varying degrees and in different
ways, women’s issues were gradually pushed aside. Combining anecdotes
with analysis, she shows how distorted visions of liberation and
shortcomings in practice left a legacy that not only shortchanged women
but undermined the revolutionary project itself.
Read more here
The Essential Rosa Luxemburg
This new, authoritative introduction to Rosa Luxemburg’s two most important works presents the full text of
Reform or Revolution and
The Mass Strike, with explanatory notes, appendices, and introductions.
One
of the most important Marxist thinkers and leaders of the twentieth
century, Rosa Luxemburg is finding renewed interest among a new
generation of activists and critics of global capitalism.
Read more here
An Anarchist FAQ
The
bible of anarchism! This exhaustive volume, the first of two, seeks to
provide answers for the curious and critical about anarchist theory,
history, and practice. More a reference volume than a primer, An
Anarchist FAQ eschews curt answers and engages with questions in a
thorough, matter-of-fact style.
Having been an internet staple for
over a decade, we are proud to offer this solicitously edited print
version. AFAQ’s oversized and affordable format (topping out at over 700
pages) will ensure it a place on every shelf, where it will be
referenced again and again.
Read more here
How the Rich Are Destroying the Earth
Bringing
to bear more than twenty years of experience as an environmental
journalist, Kempf describes the invincibility that many of the world’s
wealthy feel in the face of global warming, and how their unchecked
privilege is thwarting action on the single most vexing problem facing
our world.
In this important primer on the link between global
ecology and the global economy, Kempf makes the following observations:
First, that the planet’s ecological situation is growing ever worse,
despite the efforts of millions of engaged citizens around the world.
And second, despite environmentalists’ emphasis that “we’re all in the
same boat,” the world’s economic elites—who continue to benefit by
plundering the environment—have access to “lifeboats” that insulate them
from the resulting catastrophes.
Read more here
This
Friday we will be ordering new books from AK Press (once they're back
from the Oakland General Strike!), so stay tuned for some new material
over the next month or so. Also, Justseeds posters are back on the site
for your viewing pleasure.
In Solidarity,
Katipo Books Workers' Co-Operative
