Publication information

Becoming a Table of Contents sustaining subscriber 3 Editorial

Subscriptions to Fightback are available 3 In brief for $16.50 a year, this covers the costs 4 State-Owned Enterprises: Public goods of printing and postage. At present for private gain the writing, proof reading, layout, and distribution is all done on a volun- 6 Teachers and public education under teer basis. To make this publication attack sustainable long term we are asking for 9 Racism in Aotearoa/NZ people to consider becoming ‘Sustain- ing subscribers’ by pledging a monthly 12 Massive tax haven leak amount to Fightback (suggested $10). 14 “Work til you die” threatens bank Sustaining subscribers will be send a commercial free copy of each of our pamphlets to thank them for their extra support. The 15 Iceland: Become Part of the Heard name of the magazine will change to Iceland: There are no peaceful revolutions Fightback, but current subscriptions 16 will remain unaltered. (a reply to Jessica Ward) To start your sustaining subscription 17 The symbolic victory of same-sex set up an automatic payment to 38- marriage 9002-0817250-00 with your name in 19 Sexism and “dude-bro irony” the particulars and ‘Sustain’ in the code and email your name and address to 21 Review: Marx in Soho [email protected] 22 Margaret Thatcher dies 23 Ae Marika! Tribute to Mike Kyriazopoulos Get Fightback each month

Within NZ: $16.50 for one year (11 issues) or $33 for two years (22 issues) Fightback 2013 conference Rest of the World: $20 for one year or In 2012, Fightback (then the Workers Party) held its annual conference in Wellington and over 120 $40 for two years people attended. Over the weekend comrades discussed topics including tino rangatiratanga and Send details and payments to: socialism, safer spaces in political organising, industrial struggles, and the student movement. Fightback, PO Box 10282 This year’s conference will be held on Queens Birthday Weekend, May 31 to June 1, at Newtown Community Centre in Wellington. Dominion Rd, Auckland or The conference will open with a Friday night panel on the international situation. Saturday’s sched- ule features discussions of youth fightback, industrial perspectives, gender liberation, and building an Bank transfer: anti-capitalist movement in Australasia, among other topics. On Sunday June 2 there will be writing 38-9002-0817250-01 workshop for Fightback members and others who want to contribute to our monthly magazine Fightback. Further details to come. For more information call Joel Cosgrove on 022-384-1917 Donations and bequeathments Fightback is non-profit and relies on financial support from progressive people, supporters and members for all its activities including producing this magazine. To financially support us please deposit to 38-9002-0817250-01 with your initials and surname (or anony- mous.) Large and small, regular and one-off donations are all appreciated and listed in Fightback from time to time. Fightback magazine is now in its 20th year as we continue the long-term fight for socialism. Readers and supporters may consider re- membering us in their will with assets or money that will help the struggle in the long-term. If this is you please put in your will ‘Fight- back, PO Box 10-282, Dominion Road, Auckland’ as well as what you would like to leave to us.

2 Fightback May 2013 Editorial

Editorial

Welcome to the May 2013 issue of Fight- while it has received little coverage in the back, newspaper of Fightback (Aotearoa/ capitalist press, it has conversely been ex- In Brief NZ). Fightback is a socialist organisation aggerated in some circles concerned with with branches in Auckland, Hamilton, economic justice. Fightback reader Jessica Aotearoa Not For Sale day Wellington and Christchurch. Ward submitted an article for this issue, of action Over Queen’s Birthday Weekend, the 31st commending the inspirational nature of Fightback endorsed the Aotearoa of May to the 2nd of June, Fightback will the struggle in Iceland. Fightback mem- Not for Sale national day of action be holding its annual public conference in ber Ian Anderson responds, contending against asset sales, on April 27th Wellington. Turn to the back page or visit that while the people of Iceland have 2013. The day of action has already fightback.org.nz for more information. won important concessions, international supporters have distorted the realities on been endorsed by the Council of In April, thousands rallied across the ground, the capitalist state in Iceland Trade Unions, Unions Auckland, Aotearoa against attacks on public retains a monopoly on violence, and there Unite, the Mana Movement, Occupy schools. Fightback member Rebecca are no “peaceful revolutions.” and Socialist Aotearoa among others. Broad covers the background of the “The government is set on asset dispute and argues the need for industrial On April 17th 2013, a bill passed its final sales despite opposition from 80% action to defend and extend public educa- reading in parliament extending marriage of the general population, and 90% tion. rights to same-sex couples in Aotearoa/ NZ. This was the result of decades of of tangata whenua,” says Fightback The campaign against further privatisa- struggle by supporters of queer rights. In member Ian Anderson. “We can- tion of power companies has also won an article reprinted from Scoop, Anne not take this passively, or vote and some apparent victories lately, with the Russell discusses the limitations of this expect capitalist parties to represent petition for a Citizens-Initiated Referen- reform for dispossessed queers, while us. We must fight in the streets, in dum achieving its goal of a non-binding acknowledging that it can act as a spur to workplaces and communities, to take referendum and with the Labour-Green further action. control of assets.” Fightback supports opposition announcing a policy of bulk- full nationalisation of assets under Sexism (like other forms of oppression) buying power to reduce consumer prices. community control. Fightback member Daphne Lawless is deeply embedded in the daily lived argues the need for abolition of for-profit realities of capitalism. Fightback sup- “State-Owned Enterprises,” introduced porter Robyn Kenealy discusses the role Wellington mayor Celia by the fourth Labour government, in of everyday humour and irony in both Wade-Brown shows her favour of democratic community control. reinforcing, and undermining sexism. true colours In late March, racist group Right Wing We also reprint a piece by MANA leader Resistance were outnumbered by an anti- Hone Harawira, paying tribute to our Green Wellington mayor Celia racist rally in Christchurch. Fightback comrade Mike Kyriazopolous, a unionist Wade-Brown showed her true member Byron Clark discusses the role and Fightback member. colours in April when she voted for of mainstream racism in fostering racist a plan to contract out street-cleaning views. jobs. The vote on contracting-out was tied 7-7, and Wade-Brown used her In the April issue of Fightback, we cov- casting vote to proceed with the plan. ered the “peaceful revolution” in Iceland, (http://tinyurl.com/cu694hy) arguing This concession to privatisation, by a Green Party mayor, stands in contrast to the party opposing privatisation in Coordinating Editor Layout: the asset sales campaign. This shows Byron Clark, Ian Joel Cosgrove the need for revolutionary social- Anderson Assisting Editors Monthly magazine ist organisation, in contrast to the Proofing/Content Rebecca Broad, Mike published by: Fightback wavering of the capitalist parties. Fightback May 2013, Jared Phillips Kyriazopoulos, Kelly Vol.1, No 3, Issue No 3 Pope, Daphne Lawless, Grant Brookes.

Fightback April 2013 3 State-owned enterprises

State-Owned Enterprises: Public goods for private gain

by Daphne Lawless don’t get any benefit from state owner- Corporatisation and ship of power generation. privatisation The justification for the state hanging Why does the New Zealand state own We are almost four decades into a on to these large corporations is to keep for-profit companies, anyway? We’re slow-motion crisis of capitalism. The them in “Kiwi” hands, and to pay the taught at school that the purpose of old Keynesian-interventionist consensus state a dividend on their investment. state ownership is to enable economic was based on the government, as collec- New Zealand has had a history of failed planning and fulfil social welfare func- tive capitalist, using its economic lever- privatisation – both Air New Zealand tions. But the State-Owned Enterprises age to expand opportunities for profit and our national rail network had to be of today aren’t doing any such thing. In for the capitalist classes. This “picking taken into public hands after being run the last month, we’ve had announce- winners” and “demand management” down by their new private owners. ments of at least 1000 jobs at Telecom, approach is now strongly associated Why, then, are the National government while Solid Energy have cancelled the with the Muldoon government of 1975- so insistent on the part-privatisation $10 million in funding they provide to 84 – which happens to be the era when of Mighty River Power, in the teeth West Coast communities (to compen- the strategy ran out of steam. All the of mass opposition? And why are they sate for the on-going despoliation of government investment and administra- throwing a fit at the Labour/Green plan their environment). tive diktats in the world couldn’t make to bring in a “single buyer” of wholesale Meanwhile, especially since the govern- the New Zealand economy profitable power? To understand this, we have ment abolished its Charter, Television in the era of the oil shocks and “stagfla- to understand the real motives for the New Zealand certainly has no public tion”. What was needed was a new way corporatisation and privatisation of state service character which distinguishes it for government to guarantee private trading assets. from its commercial competitors. And sector profits. with power prices for working families The 1984-90 Labour Government paci- going through the roof, we certainly fied the left and the union movement 4 Fightback May 2013 State-owned enterprises with “social liberal” reforms on women’s money. It was sold as an alternative to for private profit. rights, Tiriti o Waitangi issues, homo- privatization... instead of, as eventually The moribund ACT party’s signature sexual law reform and the anti-nuclear became clear, a first step towards it. Of success of charter schools has nothing stance. This left them free to take a course, no capitalist worth their salt to do with education standards – it has neoliberal machete to traditional models would pay good money for an organi- to do with people being able to make of welfare and public service. The old zation that wasn’t already corporately money by private provision of educa- Keynesian consensus was dead – in efficient, with a pacified labour force. tion. It has “worked” well in the tertiary particular, the idea of the State sector as Very little has changed in the last 30 sector, with all manner of fly-by-night a “sponge” to absorb excess labour from years in this score. The goal of “effi- academies and language schools drag- the market was doomed. ciency” in the public sector, leading to ging wages and conditions for instruc- Labour politicians like Richard Preb- privatisation, is only marginally to do tors downwards. ble went around the country screaming with saving scarce resources, or improv- The social status of the traditional uni- about the amount of people employed ing services for the public. What it versities with their inconvenient func- by the railways and the state forestry really is about is, firstly, driving down tion of social critique is undermined, service to do not very much. But this wages and conditions for workers across and a new generation of hospitality and was always a social welfare issue, rather the economy; and secondly, increasing IT workers is trained to fill the labour than a simple issue of business inef- the opportunities for private capitalists needs of the profit machine. ficiency. “Make work” schemes, money- to make a profit in what used to be the Even better are the famous “public- losers though they be, encouraged social public sector. private partnerships”, which boil down cohesion and passing on of skills from to governments underwriting invest- one generation of workers to another – Private profits, public losses ments by private firms to make sure they they were also a payback to the unions can’t lose. A recent example of this is the for allowing real wages to be eaten away A very important legacy of the whole- Government offering subsidies to Rio by inflation. sale destruction of the workers’ move- Tinto aluminium not to shut down their ment in the 1970s and 1980s – in New smelter, which would make Mighty Efficiency for whom? Zealand as elsewhere in the developed River Power much less profitable and world – is that public sector unions were therefore harder to sell. This has to be The massive shift in mentality in the left mostly intact. As the crisis of capi- seen in the same light as the Govern- neoliberal era came with the belief talist profitability continues, the boss ment selling our labour laws to Warner that mass unemployment was not a class get more desperate to drive down Brothers over the Hobbit movies – in- bad thing. Every worker paid to drink labour costs and smash unionisation – creasingly, in the modern era, neoliberal tea and play cards in some railway and the strong public sector unions have governments are intervening like crazy workshop was a worker who would an upward pull on wages and conditions to bail out capitalist profits, and using not accept the low wages and “flexible” cross the economy. In other countries that as an excuse to slash and burn social working conditions available in the pri- such as Ireland, the depth of the eco- spending. vate sector. The unexpressed motivation nomic crisis has enabled the capitalist behind every neoliberal reform was to media to demonise the public sector as break working class power, and to drive “greedy” for still having good wages and NZ Power: A spanner in the down wages and conditions. pensions while the private sector col- works The long term goal, of course, was lapses. As if that were the fault of public And this is why Steven Joyce and the privatization - shifting public assets into sector workers, rather than private sector usual crowd of Nat suspects are scream- the market economy so that they could bosses who lost all control during the ing about the Labour/Green “NZ improve the private sector’s profitability. property boom. Power” plan. This plan would set up a But the country wasn’t ready to swal- Unlike the private sector, the public single, state-owner purchaser of electric low full privatisation yet. So the Labour sector workforce can’t be disciplined power from generators, which would Government claimed that “corporati- by outsourcing jobs overseas. So the then sell the power on to retailers, in the zation” - reorganizing state services to long-term solution is to, firstly, create an same way that Pharmac buys all New work along exactly the same lines as a “internal market” to bring “discipline” Zealand’s prescription drugs. This would private corporation, complete with a to the workforce; and secondly, move prevent wholesale power prices being profit motive and the need for competi- as much of the public sector into the bidded up by competition among retail tion – was an attemt to bring “efficiency” private sector. This combines with the providers, and thus keep retail prices into the public sector, saving taxpayer second benefit – creating opportunities

Fightback April 2013 5 Education attacks

down. vate profits at public expense – this will Combined with the current mass cam- The way they’re talking about it, this defeat the whole purpose of the Mighty paigns against asset sales – including the is North Korea, this is Albania, this is River sell-off. Labour Party-sponsored mass petition Stalinist gulag territory. In fact, Califor- Labour is capitalist party, that plays – this is a very good start. nia does exactly the same thing, so it’s left while in opposition and either ac- Workers should be running the public not exactly point 8 of the Communist cepts or actively carries out neoliberal sector takeover plan. What it does, though, attacks while in government. That said, We have to remember, though, that is remove the opportunity for excess the Labour/Green proposal would be under capitalism, expanding the state profits from the soon-to-be-privatised a real reform which would slow down sector isn’t necessarily a good thing in power companies. And – because the the drive towards privatisation and itself. It’s something of a historical acci- purpose of privatisation is to boost pri- stop price-gouging of working families. dent that the public sector has stronger

Teachers and public education under attack

by Rachel Broad, Fightback Hamilton teachers. many members of the public rallied branch, Aotearoa/NZ. Originally pub- against the proposed changes. lished by the Socialist Party of Australia. Government’s failed attempt The government tried to carry out to increase class sizes the changes within both primary and secondary schools at the same time. Teachers in New Zealand are facing a Usually, using divide and rule tactics, the perfect storm. For the time being they In mid 2012 the Ministry of Education government has attacked the primary have faced down government attempts attempted to introduce a new policy and secondary sectors separately. By to increase class sizes but have also had that would change teacher-student attacking both sectors at the same time to contend with school closures and funding ratios in schools and would the government had bitten off more mergers in Christchurch and a move to have increased class sizes and created than they could chew and were forced introduce charter schools. job losses. Some school principals said that they would have to cut up to three to back down. At the same time large numbers of jobs in each school if the policy was These events were the beginning of teachers are going without pay or carried out. The student-to-teacher ratio a sharp decline for Hekia Parata, the getting paid incorrectly thanks to the would have been standardised at 27.5 Minister of Education and puppet for failure of their national payroll system. students per teacher for year 2 to year the government’s education plan. Parata This is creating huge amounts of stress. 10 classes. was paraded by the ruling National Tensions are on the increase between Party as a high-flying Maori MP and teachers and the government, and the The policy was deeply unpopular. Some was quickly promoted to cabinet. public are increasingly siding with the polls showed up to 89% of people in opposition to the policy. Teachers and During one teachers’ meeting about 6 Fightback May 2013 Education attacks

workers’ rights. We know how badly the creativity and energy of those work- But we also need to demand also that Work and Income abuse their benefi- ers who didn’t accomplish any socially the entire model of State-Owned ciary and unemployed “clients” - but the useful labour. Enterprises be abolished. Efficiency is life of a Work and Income frontline staff So, we should demand that our assets a good goal – no resources or human member, having to bear the brunt of not be sold; that our Government stop labour should be wasted – but market public hatred for an inhumane system, bailing out corporate profits and start efficiency is not what we want. We want isn’t so great either. bailing out working families at the real social and environmental efficiency – And, even though the old “labour sharp end of the crisis; and we should and we want a democratic state sector, sponge” function of the public sector support reforms which prevent the where workers are in control and not helped improve workers’ rights across Government using our tax dollars to stifled by management and bureaucracy the economy, it was still a tragic waste of prop up private profits. no different from that in the private sector.

class sizes where Parata was under con- 24. January teachers reaffirmed the strike stant fire she condescendingly lectured In the aftermath of the earthquake vote. On February 18 the government teachers by telling them that one of the schools and teachers had acted as announced that 7 schools were to be the main problems with the education community hubs for families. Teachers closed and 12 merged. system was not underfunding but that went beyond the call of duty for their Unfortunately the strike was called many teachers don’t pronounce Maori pupils, including by teaching through off. This was a mistake given the other and Pacific Island children’s names cor- a double-bunking system whereby attacks on the sector that were in the rectly. Without hesitation this divisive- multiple schools would share one physi- pipeline. Instead a public rally was held ness was roundly rejected by broad cal locality by starting classes early and with more than 1,500 people attending layers from the Maori and Pacific Island finishing late. including parents, pupils and members communities. Parata is now deeply The government’s proposal was a slap of the public. unpopular. in the face after everything the teach- ers had done. Parents and communi- Charter schools and Christchurch school closures ties rallied around them in the face Novopay nightmare payroll and mergers of the attacks. In December 2012 the NZ Education Institute (the teacher’s system Christchurch is the third largest city in union) announced that its Christchurch As part of the coalition government deal New Zealand and its population is still members had voted to go on strike in between the National and Act parties reeling from the earthquake that killed opposition to the closures and mergers. (in which the junior partner is Act) Na- 185 people in February 2011. Instead The strike was scheduled for February tional agreed to implement legislation of fixing and reinstating all the primary 19 – the day after the government was allowing for charter schools. Essentially schools the Ministry of Education scheduled to make its final announce- these are publically-funded but privately sought to close 11 of them and merge ment on the fate of the schools. In late run schools that are exempt from the Fightback April 2013 7 Education attacks

checks and balances that apply to public unpaid for two months! In March it system together and outline plans for schools. was discovered that 100 teachers were an industrial and political campaign to The charter school system will divert wrongly designated to be terminated at defeat the government. While indus- public money to the education of the the end of the first term. These are just trial action would be illegal under New wealthy. The schools can be run by a few examples of the problems teachers Zealand employment law, these are laws people with little or no education ex- are being subjected to. that will have to be broken if we are to perience and the teachers will not have Many teachers who have been overpaid seriously defend public education. to be qualified. This will create down- are being pursued by private debt collec- If mass strike action was taken, it would ward pressure on the already meagre tors. As of February, 14,000 teachers and be hard to see how the government wages of teachers. In fact one of the support staff were owed $12,000,000 could get away with imposing fines on key reasons for introducing the charter NZD dollars in back-pay. Some schools tens of thousands of teachers who have schools policy is to curb the influence of are using their own funds to pay teach- persisted with incorrect pay, unpaid teacher’s unions. ers while a number of teachers are walk- overtime and community support roles. Another major issue confronting teach- ing away from their jobs. There is overwhelming public support ers is the nightmare of Novopay, the Strike action desperately needed for teachers, and mass anger at the gov- ernment’s role. The union should take failed pay roll system which has been Fed up, teachers have voted for a nation- advantage of this mood and act quickly. dogging teachers since it was introduced wide day of action on Saturday April 13. in August last year. In the first pay week They have stated that they are readying Ordinary people have a real interest in 5000 teachers received the wrong pay themselves to send a clear message to supporting the teachers struggle. Good and 15 received none. the government that they are united quality public education is beneficial to Since then tens of thousands of teach- against the attacks on public education. everyone in society. Well paid teachers ers have received the wrong pay and While weekend protests can play a role, with good conditions deliver a better 90% of schools have reported pay they will not be enough to beat the education to students. We need to fight errors. Some individuals have gone for government back. National strike action to ensure that education is not seen months without pay. Some people have will be required. by governments and profiteers as just another commodity. Free, good quality also been overpaid. In one instance a The union should tie the issues of school education from childcare to university teacher received $39,000 NZD, returned closures, charter schools and the payroll the money, and was then forced to go should be a right that is enjoyed by all.

Students from Te Aro primary school join their teachers in a protest in Wellington

8 Fightback May 2013 Fightback against racism

Racism in Aotearoa/NZ by Byron Clark Aotearoa with an active white suprema- cist movement. The Te Ara encyclopae- If we want to dia entry on the city notes that a white On March 23rd Christchurch witnessed supremacist subculture emerged here the spectacle of a white pride demon- end racism, we need in the 1990s, and members of it would stration. In a Saint Albans park, with periodically attack ethnic minorities. plans to march down Papanui road, to start at the roots, Although many of the people on the approximately thirty people gathered, and that means no demonstration would have been just mostly young men, they wore military children at that time, white supremacy style garb, many of them adorned with longer giving space is still a violent movement today. In swastikas. Organisers of the demonstra- “ to racist views in the 2010 white supremacist Shannon Brent tion advertised it as a family friendly Flewellen was sentenced to life impris- outing, advocating “white rights” and media, and speaking onment in a Christchurch court for the pride in one’s ethnicity, but the rank- out about the racism brutal murder of South Korean student and-file of the white nationalist move- Kim Jae-Hyeon. The judge noted that ment didn’t want to leave their neo-Na- of government and Flewellen “regarded [the victim] as zi regalia at home, and couldn’t resist the others in parliament. not deserving of the same dignity and temptation to make sieg heil salutes. ism is not welcome in their community respect as a white person.” The local community was out in force to and the white pride demonstrators did There was no outright violence at the oppose racism, around a hundred people not represent their views. In a fact that recent white pride rally, although one gathered in a counter demonstration. should embarrass most of this city’s of the demonstrators was arrested at Many of them residents of St Albans residents, Christchurch is only city in the beginning of the demonstration who wanted to make it clear that rac-

Fightback April 2013 9 Fightback against racism

for a prior incident, and near the end a by many of the opinion makers in this cists can comfortably call for a vote for carload of white supremacists grabbed a country. The Late Paul Holmes wrote them. While Right Wing Resistance sign from one of the counter-protesters that Maori “seem to exist in a perfect is a fringe group, New Zealand First is as they drove past yelling “white pride!” world of benefit provision…no one has supported by 1 in 20 New Zealanders, injuring the woman’s arm. It’s no to have a job and the Treaty is all that and promotes policies that RWR sup- surprise that few people from ethnic matters.” Adding that “we’ll end up pay- ports. Those voters need to think about minority groups joined the counter ing the usual millions into the hands of the impact giving a platform to xeno- protest. While they would have agreed the Maori aristocracy” phobia is having. with its aims they would have been put- In reality, the average beneficiary is Pa- When New Zealand First was in ting themselves at a greater risk than the keha, and treaty settlements made up a government we witnessed the bizarre Pakeha protesters. tiny percentage of government expendi- spectacle of a Minister of Foreign Counter protestors successfully cut the ture. Yet the meme of the privileged Affairs who had built his political white pride march short, blocking the Maori has spread though talkback radio career on a hatred of foreigners. But footpath making the white supremacists and the comment threads on Stuff.co.nz the two major parties in parliament change direction and return to the park. and no doubt reaches the ears of future are not without blame. In the 1970’s The action has solidified a core group white supremacists. the Labour government led by Nor- of anti-racist activists, who have since man Kirk began the “dawn raids” where held meetings to plan further anti- Racism in parliament Polynesians who had overstayed their racist activities. It’s a big task, opposing work visas were rounded up at dawn and racism means more than just opposing Anti-immigration views are aired in deported. These policies were continued the Right Wing Resistance, the group mainstream. For all Right Wing Re- and escalated significantly under the behind March’s white supremacist rally. sistance’s talk of “white rights”, white following National government led by No one is born racist. We need to people actually have more rights in New Rob Muldoon. At the time, the majority be asking ourselves what it is about Zealand than immigrants from predom- of overstayers were not Polynesian, but our society that has allowed a white- inantly non-white countries. Yet xeno- British. In more recent times we have supremacist movement to grow in this phobic rhetoric around immigration seen the imprisonment without trail of Christchurch. Part of it is demograph- would have us believe otherwise. When Algerian political refugee Ahmed Zaoui ics, while in other cities the working NZ First Richard Prosser called for under the last Labour government. The class is made up largely of Maori and Muslim men to be banned from planes, current government has made a deal Polynesians, Christchurch still has a his party leader would not endorse his with Australia to take 150 asylum seek- predominantly white working class. views, yet as recently as 2005 Winston ers per year; on the surface a progressive With unemployment high, and the state Peters was whipping up fear against policy, though that 150 will come out of many poorer suburbs following the Muslim immigration. In a speech titled of the quota of refugees New Zealand earthquakes, it’s unsurprising that work- ‘The end of Tolerance’ he said; takes anyway, and those people will ing class Pakeha are feeling abandoned, still have to wait for years in Australia looking for something to join and some- In New Zealand the Muslim or in an offshore centre under the “no one to blame. community has been quick to show advantage policy”. By making this deal, us their more moderate face, but New Zealand has given an endorsement to Australia’s brutal policies toward Understanding Racism there is a militant underbelly here as well…Underneath it all the refugees. Groups like the Right Wing Resistance, agenda is to promote fundamental- ACT should also receive a mention, and its forerunner the National Front, ist Islam - indeed these groups are while their sole MP arguably has less take racism to its most horrific extremes. like the mythical Hydra, a serpent influence than the other parties men- But the road to white supremacy is underbelly with multiple heads, tioned, John Banks told The Nation that paved with a softer racism that is more capable of striking at any time and “If we continue the bankrupt response tolerated. No working class Pakeha in any direction. of just paying young Polynesian, young would consider joining a neo-Nazi or- Maori men in South Auckland, the dole ganisation if they had not already been At election time, the white supremacists to sit in front of TV, smoke marijuana, indoctrinated with the myth of “Maori endorse New Zealand First. While they watch pornography and plan more privilege” and a fear of outsiders. are not responsible for what groups drug offending and more burglaries, endorse them, it says something about then we’re going to have them coming The idea that Maori are privileged, at New Zealand First that white suprema- through our window” the expense of Pakeha, is perpetuated

10 Fightback May 2013 Fightback against racism

It is not just the easy targets like Kyle Chapman and the Right Wing Resistance, but people like NZ First MP Richard Prosser (left) and the recently deceased Paul Holmes (right) who need to be opposed if we are to overcome racist ideas and policies

ACT’s largest donor last election was this time?” New Zealanders. RWR leader Kyle the multi-millionaire Southland proper- Henry was saying that real New Chapman didn’t tell him those things; ty developer Louis Crimp who gave the Zealanders are white people and we he learned them from people in parlia- party $125,520 to do something about shouldn’t have someone who doesn’t ment and the mainstream media. Maori, who were, in his words “either look and sound like a white person in Everyone has a right to free speech, in jail or on welfare”. Crimps attitude one of the country’s highest political but the right to free speech is not the shows that racism is hardly a working offices. Henry always presented himself same as the right to a platform for that class phenomenon. as an anti-establishment figure, flying speech. There is good reason that Kyle the flag of the white male who had lost Chapman doesn’t write a column in Racism in the media power to women and ethnic minorities. The Press, yet ideas not dissimilar from While actually a conservative, he ap- his own are given a huge audience. If Of course no discussion of mainstream pears as a rebel. Michael Laws with his we want to end racism, we need to start racism is complete without addressing talkback show fills a similar role. at the roots, and that means no longer the role of the media. Paul Henry. The Imagine now the unemployed Pakeha giving space to racist views in the media, ‘controversial’ broadcaster once asked man in East Christchurch. He has and speaking out about the racism of John Key if then Governor-General Sir learned that Maori are living the high government and others in parliament. Anand Satyanand (born in Auckland life at the expense of the tax payer, too to Indian-Fijian parents) was a New many immigrants are coming here and Zealander or not, then asking “Are you some of them might be terrorists and going to choose a New Zealander who the country is now being run by people looks and sounds like a New Zealander who don’t even look and sound like real

Fightback April 2013 11 Tax havens Massive tax haven leak

by Byron Clark ian and New Zealand business people. Today financial services are second only to tourism in the nation’s economy. Members of the International Consor- New Zealanders – that is, those New tium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) Island nations Zealanders with wealth significant including Nicky Hagar, have spent the often face limited enough to make using a tax haven past 15 months working though a cache worthwhile- began to take advantage of 2.5 million leaked files full of infor- development of the Cook Islands after the removal mation on the people using off shore tax opportunities of financial institution regulations and havens- foreign jurisdictions one can foreign exchange controls, as well as the use to avoid paying tax on their income. because of their liberalisation of the banking sector in According to ICIJ: “ small population New Zealand that occurred during the era of neoliberal reforms referred to as The leaked files provide facts and and land area, so ‘Rogernomics’ figures, cash transfers, incorpora- legislation giving tion dates, links between compa- One of the organisations the leaks have nies and individuals that illustrate them ‘tax haven’ come from was set up by Former New how offshore financial secrecy has Zealand lawyer Mike Mitchell, who was spread aggressively around the status is seen as a the Cook Islands solicitor-general in globe, allowing the wealthy and the method of attracting the early 1980s and main government well-connected to dodge taxes and adviser as the tax haven was established, fuelling corruption and economic foreign capital. In before resigning to establish what was woes in rich and poor nations alike. 2002 The Economist then called Pacific Trustee Company, now TrustNet. The documents mostly concern the described the TrustNet has continued to be staffed British Virgin Islands but the Cook main asset of these by many New Zealanders. The com- Islands also feature prominently. This pany has an office on Auckland’s North has put Cook Island authorities on the countries as the Shore. For 14 years the company was defensive, Jennifer Davis from the Cook right to write the majority-owned by the Spencer family. Islands Financial Services Authority John Spencer was New Zealand’s rich- told One News: laws- something the est man in the 1980s and still incredibly Cook Islands did wealthy, his son Berridge and daughter The media and information that Mertsi were both National Party donors we’ve seen come out … in relation in the early 1980s, in 2005. TrustNet markets itself today as to this matter seems to presume the largest independent offshore services that anyone using the services following lobbying company in Asia. or structures of the international from Australian Documents show TrustNet has a busi- finance centres are dodgy and that and New Zealand ness relationship between BNZ and is simply not the case. ANZ, with bank staff routinely help- business people. ing TrustNet move money in and out Island nations often face limited of its clients’ offshore bank accounts at development opportunities because of Today financial branches in Singapore and the Cook their small population and land area, so services are second Islands respectively. This demonstrates legislation giving them ‘tax haven’ status that despite widespread concern over is seen as a method of attracting foreign only to tourism “foreign ownership” around issues capital. In 2002 The Economist de- in the nation’s such as asset sales, ownership by New scribed the main asset of these countries Zealand capitalists is no indication that as the right to write the laws- some- economy. money will “stay in the country”. thing the Cook Islands did in the early The secrecy and anonymity associated 1980s, following lobbying from Austral-

12 Fightback May 2013 Tax havens

Government officials and their families and associates in Azerbaijan, Russia, Canada, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, Mongolia and other countries have embraced the use of covert companies and bank accounts. Some of New Zealand’s richest individuals and families have repeatedly been implicated as well. with tax havens has led to criticism re- hedge fund manager who was sent to inquiry. These schemes involved some of lating to their use by corrupt politicians prison in 2011 in one of the biggest New Zealand’s most powerful compa- and fraudsters. This sort of activity does insider trading scandals in U.S. history. nies such as The Bank of New Zealand, appear to be wide spread, the Brierleys and Fay Richwhite. leaked documents show indi- Undoubtedly there are enor- viduals and companies linked to mous amounts of dubious activ- Russia’s ‘Magnitsky Affair’, a tax ity going on in the network of fraud scandal and a Venezuelan small island states and banks. deal maker who is accused of us- However, most customers of ing offshore entities to bankroll the financial services offered by a U.S.-based Ponzi scheme as tax havens are using offshore well as funnelling bribes to a accounts “legitimate” purposes, Venezuelan government official. such as escaping the “rules and Indonesian billionaires with ties red tape” of onshore jurisdic- to the late dictator Suharto have tions. While tax evasion is a also made use of tax havens. crime, tax avoidance is “best Suharto enriched a small circle practice” for businesses and at of elites during his decades in present perfectly legal. power. Far from just being a white ICIJ’s examination has also collar criminal underworld, tax identified 30 American clients havens have become an integral accused in lawsuits or criminal part of global capitalism. Tax cases of fraud, money launder- Justice Network, an internation- ing or other serious financial New Zealander John Spencer is one of the richest people in NZ and a al research and advocacy group misconduct. They include ex- key element in global tax havens. estimates a third of the world’s Wall Street titans Paul Bilzerian, wealth is held in tax havens, a corporate raider who was convicted In the mid 1990’s tax havens were at with a majority of world trade moving of tax fraud and securities violations in the centre of tax evasion schemes that though them. 1989, and Raj Rajaratnam, a billionaire became the subject of the ‘Winebox’

Fightback April 2013 13 Superannuation “Work til you die” threatens bank commercial

by Byron Clark tions. One song includes “I’m gonna be is something you can read on the of- a builder till I’m 94, Knocking down ficial Kiwisaver website: “KiwiSaver is walls and laying floors.” While a white not guaranteed by the Government. It’s not often that a bank invokes the collar version mentions being in middle This means you make your investment spectre of death in its advertising – management until age 83. The other two choices in a KiwiSaver scheme at your outside of life insurance plans at least. versions target dentists and cleaners. At own risk.” The National Bank came close when it the beginning of its run, these commer- used a few bars from The Verve’s Bitter Unsurprisingly many have found the cials didn’t even state what was being Sweet Symphony in its commercials. commercial offensive. A hundred people advertised (and who could guess?) but The lyrics, not heard in the commercials, die in the workplace every year in New later airings revealed it was for a BNZ intone “you’re a slave to money and then Zealand, and the thought of continuing KiwiSaver scheme. you die”. Fitting perhaps, but hardly to work until death is not a pleasant one. something that will attract customers. “There’s no guarantee that New Zealand “The fact that you mock me incessantly Superannuation will provide for you with your ”I’m going to work till I die” The Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) at its current levels when it’s your time radio advert is a choice your company has thought differently, with its new to retire,” reads the BNZ website. This has made. It is a very poor one”, Read a advertising jingle “I’m going to work till is not inaccurate; future governments letter to The Press. The BNZ Facebook I die.” The song has aired on The Rock could reduce or restrict entitlements to page attracted similar comments; “you and Radio Hauraki notably two stations superannuation, just as the current gov- have really missed the mark with your whose audience is at work, the former ernment has for student allowances and current ad campaign. Not funny at all” having a “no repeat work day” (which of domestic purposes benefits (superan- and “polarizing your entire customer course refers to songs- advertising, such nuation is a bigger share of the welfare base as idiots who can’t save…I already as “I’m going to work till I die” repeats budget than these and all other benefits put my savings into another bank.” over and over throughout the work day.) combined). Don’t expect to hear these commercials Four different versions of the song What BNZ fails to mention however for much longer. exist, geared toward different occupa-

14 Fightback May 2013 International Iceland: Become part of the heard

This article by Jessica Ward was submit- not have a voice (given you have access Hordur Torfason stresses. ted to Fightback, in response to an arti- to the internet of course). Communi- Creativity played a vital role in the cle published in the April issue (Iceland’s cation is also highly important in the Icelandic Revolution. It was used to cre- “peaceful revolution” – myth and reality, organization of revolution or protest. It ate tension and intrigue. In the protest http://tinyurl.com/cu694hy). A reply to is important to ask the people what they pre-christmas of 2008 silence played a Jessica’s article can be found on page 16. want and to listen. seminal role. A small group of protestors Hordur Torfason is an eloquently spo- gathered outside parliament on behalf of ken man. He wore an orange handker- the people who were enjoying time with In today’s world it is easy to become chief protruding from his breast pocket their families over the festive season. disillusioned. It is too easy to concede as a symbol of the peaceful revolution The group of protestors were silent to to the idea we are incapable of chang- where those who believed in peace- reflect the silence of the government in ing the world, to give into the apathy ful means wore orange to show their response to the revolutionaries demands that plagues our generation. We are support. Hordur Torfason was the first that they resign. This silence acted as a not the flower children of the 60s, we openly gay man in Iceland in 1973. caesura before the “real” protest started. misguidedly believe that unlike days After enjoying a successful career as Under criticism from the media over gone by noone else is angry, noone else an actor, director and musician he was the ineffectiveness of the revolution is enraged by the disparity of wealth and forced into exile. Hordur Torfason hum- Torfason announced that so far the incensed by politics, economics and the bly talked about how he considered tak- protests had simply been “practices”. injustices of society. We are alone. We ing his own life. Iceland used to be an He did not say anything else other than are all alone. Aren’t we? exceedingly homophobic country where telling the people who were in favour of Today I had the opportunity of listen- it was common place to beat gay people the government resigning to bring pots ing to Hordur Torfason at the Dunedin and the media ensured the propaganda and pans to the next protest which was School of Art. It may seem a strange that all gay people were criminals and planned for after the holidays. Torfason place for and activist and leader of the pedophiles. Hordur Torfason did not instructed the crowd to make as much Icelandic Revolution to give a talk but give up (thankfully). He used his anger noise as possible outside of parliament all becomes clear when listening to constructively and continued travelling and systematically continued this ac- the ideas and attitudes of this artist. back to Iceland to talk and to listen tion every day until midnight until the Torfason stressed in his talk the need and to try and change people’s atti- entire parliament and the bank’s board for creative solutions, the importance tudes. Eventually he was able to move of directors all resigned. This is why of art as a way of activating people and back to Iceland and created its first gay the Icelandic Revolution is sometimes bringing them together and of protest organization with gay people eventually referred to as the “Cutlery Revolution.” as a form of performance, as a way of receiving equal rights in 2008. Art has a long history of becoming in- intriguing an audience of public and Hordur Torfason has a long history of tertwined with politics. Art over the last media. activism. He is not associated with any twenty years has increasingly occupied Torfason believes that it is the role of political party and believes in complete public spaces. Artists in response to the artist to criticize society and remem- transparency to the point he created a the ubiquitous world of advertising are ber the importance of the unseen forces webpage to show the economic back- moving art out of the gallery and into that dictate us, our feelings. Art has the ers of the Icelandic revolution and the the streets, our homes and our com- ability to move us, to affect us, in the people of Iceland how and where the munities. Creative solutions to political words of Torfason to activate us. money was being spent. issues can effect the lives of the audience We live in the age of the internet: a tool The Icelandic Revolution succeeding in and in some cases cause real change. to both communicate and organize. forcing the entire parliament and the Two examples of this are Ithica Hours, a We are the 99% and we have a way of National Bank’s Board of Directors to form of local labour backed currency in communicating, coming together and resign. These members of parliament Ithica, New York and Gurana Power. organizing action. In a world where as well as the bank directors are being Ithica Hours began in 1991, invented by the media is a tool owned by the 1% to tried for their crimes against the people. Peter Glover is a labour based form of systematically ensure their wealth the It is the role of the politicians to serve currency which keeps economic wealth internet is our tool to counter it. In the the people not the other way around as within the community and allows age of information there is no excuse to

Fightback April 2013 15 International

people with specialist skills to receive tive solutions are successfully making original use of the Maués guaraná payment for these skills. In an inter- a difference politically as is Superflex’s plant.” Guarana Power is an interven- view with Nilsa Garcia-Rey for Reaity Guarana Power. tion in the global economy, creating a Sanwich Glover gives advice on how to In 2003 as a response to the cartel real life opposition to a powerful cartel create your own local currency saying to whose monopoly on the purchase of which has driven prices for guarana “make it look both majestic and cheer- guarana drove the price paid to farmers down from $25 per kilo to $4 per kilo in ful, to reflect your community’s best down by 80% Superflex in collabora- four years despite their products remain- spirit. Feature the most widely respected tion with a guarana farmers coopera- ing the same price for consumers. monuments of nature, buildings, and tive worked together and produced the There is hope. Creative solutions in re- people…Ithaca has used local hand- Guarana Power soft drink. On their sponse to inequality are being employed made paper made of local weed fiber website Superflex describe their inten- all over the world. We are all capable of but recently settled on 50/50 hemp/ tion as “to use global brands and their thinking creatively, making some noise cotton. Design professionally -- cash is strategies as raw material for a counter- and becoming ourselves, a part of the an emblem of community pride.” Ithica economic position, and to reclaim the heard. Hours is another way in which crea-

Iceland: There are no peaceful revolutions (a reply to Jessica Ward)

This article, by Fightback member Ian While the people have won conces- saw sweeping nationalisations and social Anderson, is a reply to Jessica Ward’s sions, the capitalist government of programs, under the slogan “The Chil- article Iceland: Become part of the heard Iceland remains intact. As explained in ean way to socialism.” an earlier Fightback article, (Iceland’s This article is not a criticism of the In Chile 1973 however, a military coup “peaceful revolution” – myth and reality, people of Iceland, it’s a criticism of the led by Augusto Pinochet, and backed by http://tinyurl.com/cu694hy) parlia- way their story has been told. Glob- the West, restored full state power to the ment was restored to power and is now ally circulated articles and memes have capitalist class. Over the following years directing the constitutional process. The made extraordinary and only partially Pinochet’s government killed and disap- right-wing parties have regained influ- true claims; that Iceland’s constitution peared thousands of dissidents. This ence and may win in 2013, according to was rewritten by the people, that they is why Venezuela’s Chavez said of the supporters of the constitutional process have deposed their government, that Chilean revolution: “Like Allende, we’re (http://tinyurl.com/cjkwm6x). they’re undergoing a total economic pacifists and democrats. Unlike Allende, revolution. Narratives of a “peaceful revolution” we’re armed.” prevail. Torfason underlines that move- For example, Jessica’s article claims that Right now throughout most of the ment leaders intervened to stop protes- “members of parliament as well as the Western world, non-violent civil tors from clashing with police. However, bank directors are being tried for their disobedience makes tactical sense. In police have inflicted violence on protes- crimes against the people.” While it is Aotearoa/NZ, we are nowhere near tors. There is no such thing as a peaceful true that some bankers have been jailed, seizing power for the people; the Ice- revolution. members of parliament were cleared of landic people may have come closer to charges. The capitalist state in Iceland retains a this goal, but they have not achieved it. monopoly on violence. The police, and We must not lie to ourselves. If there is In his speaking tour, Hordur Torfason the army, hold the arms and enforce any chance of the masses holding demo- conceded that parliamentary capitalist capitalist domination. When previous cratic socialist power, this will mean order had largely been restored in Ice- revolutions have not addressed the capi- overthrowing the capitalist state. land. However, he said that the move- talist state’s monopoly on violence, they ment had raised “awareness.” While have been drowned in blood. awareness is important, critical thought is necessary to developing revolutionary In Chile 1971, Salvador Allende was the consciousness and activity. first Marxist to be elected to national presidency in a capitalist state. Chile

16 Fightback May 2013 Same-sex marriage

The symbolic victory of same-sex marriage

This article by Anne Russell was origi- walk a comfortable ideological mid- nally published on Scoop dle ground. Progressives and the queer The community will be pacified somewhat prioritisation of by the inclusion of queers into certain Over the past year or so, the marriage areas of society, but some conservatives equality bill has essentially served as a marriage ignores may also feel reassured when queerdom filter through which New Zealand has the fact that is normalised and publicly confined to discussed queer sexuality and gender traditional institutions like exclusive identity. Marriage is perhaps one of much of queer monogamy. Economically speaking, the the least threatening manifestations of “ business sector receives more oppor- oppression exists contemporary queer identity, reassuring tunities to market towards the queer all but the most raving queerphobes that independently of the demographic; tourism companies are queerdom does not, in fact, destroy the practice of intimate already rolling out the rainbow welcome fabric of society as we know it. Many mat. The 77-44 vote demonstrated that of the speeches made in Parliament relationships– opposition to marriage equality is not an opined that there were no reasons not to easy political position to maintain. support marriage equality. National MP getting beaten up Owing to the nature of both legislation Maurice Williamson has made inter- or fired for one’s and the media, the queer movement, national news for his speech, for which like any other demographic, typically 3News has labeled him an “unlikely gay non-normative needs focal events to rally popular sup- icon”. appearance, the port. Single-issue queer politics can Unlikely indeed, given his position in a dearth of queer sex make it difficult to maintain an ongoing historically queerphobic party, combined public discussion of queer rights. The with his own emphasis on what a minor education or history debate around marriage equality has law change it is. The public demonstra- in schools, and the managed to keep queer issues in the tions of gratitude to Williamson and media spotlight, which may fade as the his right-wing colleagues show how internal repression queer movement catches its breath. little the queer community has come to After all, this bill in itself is not a vic- expect from politicians. It also dem- of desire. tory for all queers. The proposition that onstrates the extent to which marriage for marriage equality than for queer same-sex marriage will have knock-on equality has co-opted queer struggles in equality. benefits for lower-class queers is no the West. At this juncture, it’s far more more than queer trickle-down theory, an common to hear straight allies in the The widespread, cross-party support for excuse to direct extensive activist forces public sphere proclaiming their support marriage equality has partly materialised because it allows most politicians to primarily at middle-class issues. The pri- Fightback April 2013 17 Same-sex marriage

“Many arguments in favour of same-sex marriage rights are fundamentally conservative, stifling wider radical discussions of gender, relationships and sexuality.”

oritisation of marriage ignores the fact become a strength, as many straight were arguably sidelined by the marriage that much of queer oppression exists in- allies have newly noticed the ridiculous- equality debate, disproportionately affect dependently of the practice of intimate ness of denying people equal rights the queer community and need queer relationships–getting beaten up or fired on the basis of queer identity. If queer attention. for one’s non-normative appearance, the rights activism continues to focus on As such, it may be much harder to con- dearth of queer sex education or history the family, many more people may start vince queerphobes that further politi- in schools, and the internal repression of attacking more urgent inequalities, such cal action won’t affect them personally. desire. Many queers who are at highest as the rates of queer youth homelessness Future political framing will hopefully risk of violence and death may not ever in this country. not end up permitting queerphobes make it to an intimate relationship, let It will be interesting to see where the to exercise their oppressive ideology alone have the worry of what they call queer movement goes next. The mar- at all. However the marriage equality their partners. riage equality bill represents a symbolic debate was framed, it is undeniable that But a few more may survive thanks and semantic change, rather than a extreme queerphobia lost this round. to the public process of enacting the transformation of the material condi- Congratulations to all the queers and legislation. The main victory of the mar- tions of people’s lives. Action like queer- their allies who worked on getting this riage equality debate was to highlight ing education policy across the board, bill through. queer identity and relationships and allocating tax dollars to transgender treat them as legitimate. It has given healthcare, making bathrooms gender some queers the courage to come out to neutral, and enabling adoption rights their communities, and convinced some requires redistribution of power and straight people to support them. The material resources. Moreover, issues obviousness of the bill could arguably like poverty and poor housing, that

18 Fightback May 2013 Ironic bigotry

Sexism and “dude-bro irony”

Top Gear presenters Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May “three rich, middle-aged men… [who] have this strange notion that if they are being offensive it bestows on them a kind of anti-establishment aura of coolness; in fact, like their leather jackets and jeans, it is uber-conservative.” by Robyn Kenealy I have a reason for bringing up British as part of a statement that they are not comedians making criticisms of Top only not sexist, but so profoundly not Gear, I promise. Particularly, it’s that sexist that the very idea of their issuing Some of you will be familiar with those criticisms, Lee’s and Coogan’s, a sexist statement is so impossible as to British comedian Stewart Lee’s rou- seem to me to also apply to what I call be laughable. This performance has a tine about motoring review show Top Dudebro Irony (I doubt the term is relationship to Hipster Racism, which Gear. In the routine, Lee describes acts original with me). Dudebro Irony is Lindy West writing for Jezebel exam- of horrible violence befalling the Top when people – when men – say overtly ples as “introducing your black friend as Gear presentation team, breaking off sexist things, either in conversation or “my black friend”—as a joke!!!—to show periodically to shout “it’s just a joke, in art works, with the assumption that everybody how totally not preoccupied like on Top Gear!” before pausing for a everyone will understand that they are you are with your black friend’s black- moment, and then adding “but coinci- not intending to be sexist. That it’s just a ness.”[3] While not directly analogous, dentally, it is actually what I wish had joke. Like on Top Gear. Dudebro Irony often appears in the happened.”[1] Top Gear’s values are overtly conserva- same contexts and does come from a It’s a great routine. Lee uses, as he ex- tive, whereas Dudebro Irony’s values similar root: the assumption that every- plains, “the rhetoric and implied values are liberal or even leftist, but I would body now lives in a gloriously post-isms of Top Gear to satirize the rhetoric and – and in fact will – argue that a simi- world, and therefore any overt display implied values of Top Gear.” Top Gear lar machinery is at work. Rather than of –ism is automatically ironic. which is, to quote Steve Coogan of Alan a conservative attack against the “PC We don’t live in a post-oppression Partridge and Saxondale fame, “three police” which all leftists may by now world. We live in a world that is built rich, middle-aged men… [who] have easily denounce when they watch Top on, and sustained by entrenched struc- this strange notion that if they are being Gear, Dudebro Irony is done by young, tural oppression. For example, women offensive it bestows on them a kind of liberal or leftist men, who ironically still perform the bulk of unpaid labour, anti-establishment aura of coolness; in perform sexism (this is the literal sense which is reinforced by the popular fact, like their leather jackets and jeans, of the word irony: their words have the internet meme “make me a sandwich.” it is uber-conservative.” [2] opposite meaning to their intention) As such, as a rule, if I don’t know a man

Fightback April 2013 19 Ironic bigotry

very well, I’m unlikely to assume that he much, is groundless or irrational, or too the situation is, the more important it is being ironic when he says something personal by virtue of its being rooted in is to satirize it. Satire is required in the sexist to or about me, especially if he something specific to women, is about as dismantling of oppressive structures. gives me no formal clues that he is jok- sexist as reactions come. More so when That is in fact quite literally what satire ing and no option to opt out of the joke. criticism is met with cries that views or is for: the critique of power in a manner The statistical evidence provided by my artwork are being censored. Criticism that can be widely understood and easily life so far has not set me up to expect and stated offense are not the same transmitted, as well as pleasurable and that that a sexist statement is ironic, but thing as censorship, and behaving as if invigorating for those in opposition to rather to expect that it is completely they are speaks volumes about where that power. But to refer again to Steve serious, and to be followed by profound power lies in the Dudebro Irony equa- Coogan’s criticism of Top Gear, a good professional and social consequences. tion. Particularly, if you’ve expected to be joke is a joke at the expense of power, Repeating or building an artwork able to release an opinion to the world while a bad joke is a joke at the expense around an oppressively sexist state- without any criticism at all, you may of the powerless. Coogan puts it like ment “as a joke,” on the assumption be reasonably assured that you are the this, “There is a strong ethical dimen- that everybody knows you’re a good guy powerful party. And of course women’s sion to the best comedy. Not only does (how?) and that nobody has ever in their reactions to sexism are personal; every it avoid reinforcing prejudices, it actively life heard such statements for real is a response to speech is personal because challenges them.” complicated move. Suffice it to say that everybody is people, but it is one of the The key word here is actively. This is at its most basic level, Dudebro Irony is conditions of structural oppression that not to deny that there are contexts most often an expression of male privi- some personhoods are more equal than where close friends know each other lege, and it is one that has a high chance others. intimately, in which long-established of playing into oppressive structures of Herein lies the bleak irony-ception of and deeply personalized patterns of misogyny and sexism. Quite often, too, Dudebro Irony’s existence: it produces gallows humor will call for ironic sexism I suspect it of masking real misogyny a supposedly anti-sexist dialogue that between friends. Sometimes, that will and sexism, and of being every bit as is tailored around the comfort levels be a good joke; the verbal equivalent conservative as the Top Gear version of and amusement of men. Steve Coogan, of touching fingers to let your friend “just a joke,” though with some strange addressing Top Gear’s use of racist jokes, know that you see the same problem lacquer of liberal hipness that renders it notes that casual –isms are “arguably the that they do. But Dudebro Irony is not resistant to interrogation. most sinister kind.” As he writes, “it’s a good joke. Making sexist statements Still, whether Dudebro Irony is or it easy to spot the ones with the burn- ironically - making a joke that really, in isn’t genuine sexism is somewhat ir- ing crosses,” and perhaps an even finer essence is pretty much the sentence “hey, relevant. The onus shouldn’t be on me to distinction can be made here: it’s easy sexism exists,” but without demonstrat- interpret ironic sexism “correctly” when to spot a conservative baddie, harder to ing the understanding that that sexism no responsibility is placed on the issuing spot a generally liberal person being a is already obvious to every women in the party to convey it comprehensibly. At bit of a douche. One of the conditions room, not to mention demanding that an interpersonal level, sure, I take some of being on the privileged end of an your audience immediately and without responsibility for interpretation, but at oppressive dynamic is that it’s not only preparation understand that you are the a broader social level, where Dudebro overt, intentional actions of bigotry and first man in 2,000 years of patriarchy Irony is in common and appropriate prejudice that work in the service of that who has never, ever been sexist – re- usage between complete strangers, I am oppression, but banal, daily repetitions ally does make it sound like sexism is, less inclined to assume it is a hilarious of the fact that you are the one who coincidentally, what you actually wish joke. Especially when the joke fails and ought to be provided with the space to had happened. someone complains; then, instantly, speak – about anything, including, if not it’s women who are expected to “have especially, experiences that do not apply [1] Routine presented during Lee’s 2009 “If You a sense of humor,” never the Dudebro to you - and the right to demand to be Prefer a Milder Comedian, Please Ask” tour. correctly understood. Ironist who is expected to “take a little [2] ‘Top Gear’s offensive stereotyping has gone criticism,” or maybe even to “tell a better But, since we’re throwing around too far, says Steve Coogan’ in The Guardian, 2011. and slightly more comprehensible joke ironies, the irony of this situation is http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2011/ next time.” that I understand the desire to make feb/05/top-gear-offensive-steve-coogan It scarcely seems necessary to point out jokes about volatile material, and that’s [3] A Complete Guide to ‘Hipster Racism’ in that this reaction, rooted as it is in the precisely what makes Dudebro Irony so Jezebel, 2012. http://jezebel.com/5905291/a- complete-guide-to-hipster-racism assumption that a woman’s anger is too irritating. To my mind, the more serious

20 Fightback May 2013 Review

Review: Marx in Soho

Written by: Howard Zinn only job Marx ever had was as a rail episode of Sesame Street), it teaches and Preformed by: Brian Jones clerk, but he wasn’t offered the job when informs without the audience realiz- it became apparent that his handwrit- ing necessarily realizing. Primarily it is Venue: University of Melbourne Student ing was illegible.). Jones as Marx details funny and entertaining. Union the struggles his family went through, In an interview speaking about his ex- Reviewed by: Joel Cosgrove the deaths of a number of his children, perience performing the play, Jones had the anguish and pain is something felt the following to say: dearly from the stage.

“Don’t you wonder why it is necessary This is a play that on one hand has a “The secret: Zinn has a deep respect to declare me dead again and again?” dense yet accessible account of Marx’s for his audience, and they know it. asks Brian Jones in his performance as politics, but the heart of the play is a You feel it instantly when you meet Karl Marx in Marx In Soho, a part of personal humanizing reflection on the him. He speaks and writes not to the Marxism Conference at Melbourne relationship between Marx and his wife impress, but to stimulate. He never University. Jenny. Jenny Marx is someone who is talks down to you, never writes in The premise of the play is that Marx has often left out of discussions of Marx and language you can’t understand to been granted an hour to return to earth Engels. Yet here figuratively she takes make him seem smarter. Making from heaven to argue his case and clear centre stage. Jones as Marx rages at their complicated ideas clear as glass, his name against over one hundred and arguments, lauds her for her piercing rescuing socialism from Stalin, and, fifty years of confusion and bastardiza- intellect and studious work transcribing yes, giving us a vision of Karl Marx tion of his ideas by both supporters his illegible notes and is honest about that actually makes us laugh…these and opponents of his ideas. The twist his flaws and the struggles that he put are the products of Zinn’s excellent being that instead of returning to Soho, her through. A key aspect of the play method.” London, he ends up in Soho, New York. that makes it so enjoyable is the strongly With as much reflection on the 21st feminist aspect, an almost defence of the It is Brian Jones who takes Zinn’s script century as much as the 19th century role of Jenny played, subtly but clearly and completes it as a live performance. that Marx inhabited. critiquing what is often labeled on the It is Jones, 25 when he first started per- Sitting on the sparse (but smartly laid internet as ‘brocialism’. forming the play (he has been perform- out) stage, Marx reflects from his desk The two aspects of the play which come ing it since Zinn wrote it with him in “Is there anything more boring than together so beautifully are Howard mind in 1999), an African-American reading political economy? Writing it.” Zinn’s excellent script and Brian Jones’ who so deeply embodies the eccen- And proceeds to give an exposition of consummate performance. Zinn, a tricities and humanism of the German his ideas and his life. Drawing on be- prolific radical writer and educator, best revolutionary Marx. ing deported across Europe stating, “It know for his bestselling work A People’s The audience was the perfect one for seems the police develop an internation- History of the United States produced this play. Densely layered with jokes al consciousness long before the work- in 1999 what is a deep and intelligent and asides about Marx, Marxism and ing class” as he ends up in London.” portrayal of Marx the political theorist the wider history that Marx’s ideas Living in poverty, in part a result of and Marx as an individual, that gets inhabit. You don’t need to know all these Marx’s focus on writing (apart from across a dense amount of information intricacies, but it definitely helped on occasional journalism assignments the in a surprisingly accessible and absorb- the night! able manner. Like the best theatre (or Fightback April 2013 21 International Margaret Thatcher dies

by Byron Clark world, including Aotearoa. New Zea- government is implementing punitive land Maritime workers donated nearly welfare reforms, including the infamous $54,000 to the miners, as well as a ship- “bedroom tax” where peoples welfare On April the 8th former British Prime ping container full on lamb. entitlements will be reduced if they Minister Maragret Thatcher died at have an unoccupied bedroom in their the age of 87. Described by media as a When the union found the only way home. While lower than 1980s levels “controversial figure” Thatcher was pos- they could procure a container of New unemployment is still high and union sibly Britain’s most loathed politician. Zealand meat was to buy it from the membership remains low. Her death was celebrated with street Meat Board in London, they were parties and Glasgow and Brixton, and advised not to tell the board what the Here in New Zealand, a country where following a social media campaign Brits meat was for, as not to create a dispute the Labour party didn’t just adopt neo- purchased the song “Ding Dong The with the government, but once it arrived liberalism, it introduced it, the current Witch is Dead” in an effort for it to be general secretary Jim Slater announced National led government is privatising the number one hit on the charts the the meat was for the “striking miners in state assets, introducing the same sort of week of her death. their fight with that fascist Thatcher.” welfare reform as the UK, and presiding over a country with increasing inequal- While she left office in 1990, few have “I’m having a drink to it right now” ity and poverty. forgotten her decade in power. The David Hopper, of the National Union Thatcher led government enacted a of Mineworkers in northeast England, Any celebration of Thatcher’s death series of neoliberal economic reforms, told media on the day she died “It’s a should really be a celebration of resist- the likes to which soon became vogue marvellous day. I’m absolutely delighted. ance to “Thatcherism” a resistance that around the world as the end of the long It’s my 70th birthday today and it’s one is continuing- and must continue- to- economic boom following World War of the best I’ve had in my life.” day. Capitalist politicians will die, but II meant that capitalism was no longer Also despised for her foreign policy, until capitalism itself dies the issues productive enough to provide a welfare Thatcher took the country to war with of poverty and inequality will remain, state. The tax burden was shifted from Argentina over the Falkland islands, this system is unlikely to again be able the rich to the poor, state assets were at one point giving the order to sink to offer the prosperity of the post war privatised- including social housing, and a retreating ship, killing 323 people. decades. the labour movement was crushed. She supported the apartheid govern- As for what remains of Thatcher herself, Before Thatcher and the conserva- ment in South Africa and called Nelson director Ken Loach has put it best; tives came to power in 1979, 13.4% Mandala a terrorist. She described “How should we honour her? Let’s pri- of the British population lived below Indonesian dictator Suharto as “one of vatise her funeral, put it out to competi- the poverty line. By 1990, it had gone our best and most valuable friends” and tive tender and accept the cheapest bid. up to 22.2%. Unemployment hit levels supported Chilean dictator Augusto It’s what she would have wanted.” not seen since the Great Depression, Pinochet, who was also implementing inequality rose and health outcomes neoliberal market reforms- while killing became worse after cuts to the Nation dissidents. Health Service and the deregulation of While people have celebrated in the school meals. Famously she also ended streets some commentators have a scheme that gave free milk to chil- been more cynical, pointing out dren, earning her the moniker “the milk that Thatcher’s death hasn’t actu- snatcher” ally changed anything. Unfor- The biggest resistance to the Thatcher tunately, these commentators are government came from the National largely correct. When asked what she Union of Mineworkers (NUM) who considered her greatest achievement began a strike in 1984 in response to Margaret Thatcher is said to have a mine closure. The strike lasted a full answered “New Labour”. Indeed after year, becoming one of the most im- gaining power the British Labour party portant industrial struggles in living did little to reverse the reforms of the memory. Actions of solidarity with the Thatcher era. striking miners came from around the In Britain today the Conservative led 22 Fightback May 2013 Testimonial Ae Marika! Tribute to Mike Kyriazopoulos

AE MARIKA is a weekly by Hone Harawi- approved a couple of weeks ago, and their head. It has no known cause and is ra, leader of the MANA Movement and the ceremony was held at the Auckland invariably fatal. Mike is not expected to Member of Parliament for Te Tai Tokerau. Trades Hall in Auckland as part of a live much longer. This tribute, to Fightback comrade Mike special tribute evening for Mike who is Tributes flowed in from union activists Kyriazopoloulous, was originally pub- a committed socialist, a union activist, and socialist comrades from around the lished on Mana.net.nz and chairman of the MANA branch of world and from the many gathered for Te Raki Paewhenua. the evening, and ended with my wife Mike gave his oath of allegiance in Hilda getting all these staunch socialists On Saturday night I was privileged Maori and followed that with his own to hold hands and each say something to host my first ever citizenship cer- personal vow to honour Te Tiriti o nice about Mike as part of a big karakia emony as a Member of Parliament. Waitangi and the principles of interna- for him. The ceremony was for a good friend of tional socialism. mine, Mike Kyriazopoulos and his wife Mike is not a man given to much emo- Joanne. Mike is a mix of Greek and The tribute part of the evening was be- tion, and his speech was one urging Jewish ancestry, and used to live and cause Mike has motor neurone disease everyone to have clear purpose and a work in England where he met his wife which causes nerve cells to degenerate strong commitment to the future. A sad Joanne. and muscles to waste away. Sufferers occasion but a great celebration none- invariably end up unable to walk, speak, theless. Their citizenship application was finally use their arms and hands, or hold up

Mike (at the bottom of the picture with glasses on his forehead) at a protest outside of a National Party conference

Fightback April 2013 23 Friday May 31st:

Newtown Community & Cultural Centre 3:10-4pm – Tino rangatiratanga and socialism 6:30-8pm – Global situation: Crisis, Imperialism, Fightback Jared Phillips • Joel Cosgrove, Fightback • Liam Flenady, Socialist Alliance (Australia) 4:10-5pm – Where Next for Gender Liberation? • Mel Gregson, Socialist Party of Australia Kassie Hartendorp

Saturday June 1st: 5-6:30pm – Dinner break

Newtown Community & Cultural Centre 6:30-8pm – Building an anti-capitalist movement in Australasia 10-10:50am – Eco-Socialism or Barbarism • Rebecca Broad, Fightback Daphne Lawless • Liam Flenady, Socialist Alliance (Australia) speaker • Mel Gregson, Socialist Party of Australia 11-11:50am – Workers, Unions and class struggle today • Shomi Yoon, International Socialist Organisation (Aotearoa) Grant Brookes, Heleyni Pratley speaker 12-2pm: Lunch break Sunday June 2nd 2-3pm – What is Marxism? Writing workshop for Fightback members, and those who Ian Anderson want to write for Fightback. Text 022 3841917 for details.

24 Fightback May 2013