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Issue 5 - August & September 2004 Free To All

A Pakeha Perspective The Taming of Tino Rangatiratanga

Also in this issue...

Shut the Fuck Up! (or How to Act Better in Meetings) An Introduction to Anarcho-primitivism Lots of updates from around Aotearoa Radical Changes at Karamea School and more!

A magazine for anarchists and freedom-loving leftists in Aotearoa Kia Ora!

imminent rebellion Welcome! August & September 2004 KIA ORA everyone and welcome to an even bigger issue of imminent rebellion. Issue 5 This issue brings about a couple of changes. Firstly, we’ve expanded to 16 pages from the previous 12. We did this as oppose to going to a monthly version as we had previously proposed What we’re about... for reasons of workload and cost. This issue is also the fi rst to be printed using an offset printer, as We passionately seek to live our oppose to using laser printing as we were previously doing. lives on our own terms. We seek the Secondly, and most importantly, this issue sees the focus of imminent rebellion broadened be- dissolution of all relationships and yond those who explicitly call themselves anarchists, to all those on the left who are anti-authori- systems of power, be they colonial- tarian like anti-colonialists, revolutionary feminists or radical environmental and animal liberation ism, capitalism, patriarchy, the state movements. We really want to see imminent rebellion acting as a meeting point for these move- or the domination and exploitation of ments to communicate and work together. the environment and other life. We We’re eager beavers for more submissions in the form of project updates, articles and images seek a new way of living, one with- so please send us stuff to publish! We hope you enjoy this issue... out power, based on freedom, coop- Kia kaha! eration, equality and mutual aid. We recognise that we cannot use power - Editorial Collective to destroy power, and instead turn to grassroots, decentralised and non- Aotearoa Contacts hierarchical forms of organisation to resist. We have created this maga- Auckland Christchurch zine as a space for like-minded peo- Aotearoa Black Press Anarchist Round Table ple to communicate, organise and P.O. Box 78-104 P.O. Box 22-076 start taking back their lives! Grey Lynn Christchurch Auckland art@anarchism.org.nz [email protected] http://art.anarchism.org.nz Submissions... imminent rebellion exists to publish Animal Liberation Auckland Christchurch Animal Action your news, articles, images and let- P.O. Box 7213 P.O. Box 2250 ters. We’ll publish anything well writ- Wellesley St Christchurch ten and sympathetic to our aims. Auckland [email protected] [email protected] The next deadline for submis- Earth First! Otautahi sions is September 15th. Class War Information Service P.O. Box 1913 P.O. Box 78-104 Christchurch Subscriptions... Grey Lynn otautahi@earthfi rst.org.nz If you don’t want to miss out on an is- Auckland sue of imminent rebellion then send [email protected] Dunedin Black Star Books us your mailing details and enough Wellington 24 Stafford St cash (or a cheque made out to “im- Aotearoa Reality Check P.O. Box 812 minent rebellion”) to cover postage. [email protected] Dunedin $10 will cover 5 issues in NZ. [email protected] Freedom Shop http://blackstar.dystopia.net.nz 272 Cuba St Donations... P.O. Box 9263 Wanganui We survive solely on donations from Wellington Marama-iti our readers to keep this project go- [email protected] 784 Papaiti Rd ing. At $400 an issue it’s not cheap! RD 14 Cash, stamps and cheques (made Wildcat Anarchist Group Wanganui out to “imminent rebellion”) would P.O. Box 6387 [email protected] be awesome! Wellington Internet Wellington Anarcho-feminist Posse www.anarchism.org.nz Contact Details... [email protected] imminent rebellion PO Box 1913 Christchurch/Otautahi We are united by dissatisfaction, rebellion, the desire to do something, by non-conformity. History Aotearoa written by Power taught us that we had lost, that cynicism and profi t were virtues, that honesty and sacrifi ce were stupid, that individualism was the new god... We did not take in the lesson. We were [email protected] bad pupils. We did not believe what Power taught us. We skipped class when they taught conform- www.i-r.anarchism.org.nz ity and idiocy. We failed modernity. Classmates in rebellion, we discovered and found ourselves brothers. Health to you, and don’t forget that fl owers, like hope, are harvested. ISSN 1176-5267 - Subcommandante Marcos, Zapatista “imminent rebellion - Issue 5 - Page 2 ” News in Brief Police Harrass Animal Rights Activists

GRASSROOTS Animal Rights Activists in it for a week, and then re- Auckland have been subjected to an unusually turned it covered in finger- high level of harassment by Police over the last print powder and missing year. Several houses have been raided and ac- all its important contents, tivists have been charged with offences which including a megaphone, are clearly intended to disrupt their lives and banner, diary, and even protest activity rather than to convict them. three empty drink bottles! On October the 2nd last year a group of Police charged him with being unlawfully Two other activists had arrest warrants and animal rights activists entered the Tegel Head in a building, intentional damage and burglary search warrants issued for them and their hous- Office in Newmarket, Auckland, and spread – all for delivering a letter about straw. The bur- es, but were advised by police to “turn them- straw over the ground and desks. The protest glary charge was exploiting a law change which selves in” so that they wouldn’t have police lasted less than 60 seconds. Jesse Duffield, the went through parliament only the day before, turn up at their house. They went in and were spokesperson for the group, had the sole job of which redefines burglary as “entering a build- arrested and charged with everyone else. handing a letter to the receptionist explaining ing with the intent to commit a crime”. They Six activists now face charges from a range that chickens need straw to carry out their basic opposed bail, but a good lawyer had it granted of intimidation, disorderly behaviour and theft instincts. It was a peaceful, symbolic protest, with heavy conditions: Jesse had to adhere to a (of an A4 sign falsely claiming “No Animal and care was taken to ensure that the dry straw 9PM-6AM curfew and report to the Henderson Furs in This Store”, valued at $10). The matter wasn’t put near computers or thrown at people. Police Station every Saturday. These conditions is due to reach a status hearing on July 28th. After the protests undercover police arrived were dropped by Judges at subsequent court Police recently dropped all charges against at the scene, followed protesters back to their hearings. Jesse for the Tegel Protest. They kept his per- cars and took down Jesse’s number plate. They This is just one of a series of raids. In April sonal belongings, and burglary charges active, later towed his car back to the police station, so and May fur protests were held outside Belucci, for nine months, during which time he was fac- Jesse thought it had been stolen and reported it a shop which sells fur from animals which are ing up to a maximum of 10 years in prison for so. factory farmed in extremely inhumane condi- the burglary charge alone. His lawyer is inves- The next day police turned up at Jesse’s tions in Asia. The owner of the store, Manwa tigating the possibility of suing police for dam- house with a search warrant for “hay, straw, Wong, lied to police in statements about two ages. He expects to receive his belongings back sacks or anything to do with animal rights.” protests, and as a result police obtained arrest in the next week or two. With this they took his laptop, cellphone, vid- warrants and search warrants for six activ- This heavy-handedness of police presents a ists and their houses. Four problem for all grassroots activists. Police are houses were raided, with a now using their powers of arrest, search and search warrant that includ- seizure to disrupt (and effectively punish) ac- ed information pertaining tivist groups outside of the court system. to animal rights activists. It is hard to believe that police really ex- With these they took hoards pected to convict someone of burglary for de- of personal items, including livering a letter about straw, but they knew how computers, cameras and disruptive the house raid and excessive charges personal diaries. would be. Police currently have almost every In the case of one activ- computer, banner, megaphone, leaflet, video ist, three computers, dozens camera, digital camera and related storage me- of computer parts, a video dia that the grassroots animal rights activists in camera, miscellaneous Auckland own. papers and her personal Police are attempting to shut down a group diaries dating back to when of peaceful protesters outside of the court sys- she was about ten years tem. If the public are not made aware, and ap- old were taken. The activ- propriate action is not taken to ensure police eos, over 100 floppy disks, posters off the wall, ist was in the last month of her Diploma in IT don’t continue these tactics, several other pro- school keys, a GE T-shirt and many other un- Programming, and she needed the computers to test groups could go through the same level of related items. They first accused him of falsely complete her final assignments. Another activ- police harassment in the near future. reporting his car stolen so that he could deny ist was forced to wait outside while seven of- Everyone committed to social change being at the protest (and threatened to tell his ficers searched her home. Police seized posters through protest and grassroots activism must insurance company he had committed insur- off walls, trespass notices, patches and badges work together to ensure that police powers do ance fraud) but they later admitted that they had all of which seem to have no relevance to any not stop us exercising our rights to freedom of towed it back to the police station. They kept crime or offence. speech and peaceful protest.

imminent rebellion - Issue 5 - Page 3 Communication & Project Updates

Speak Up!

This is a space for any anarchist or anti-authoritarian leftist groups to let others know what they’re up to, to ask for help, to get others involved.... whatever! Just send imminent rebellion what you want pub- lished at [email protected] or mail us at PO Box 1913, Christchurch, Aotearoa.

In Defence of the Earth Earth First! has recently sprung up from ecology insists that we must develop a bio- ent worth, and oppose their destruction be- the wetlands of Otautahi to bite back centric – or life-centred – world view. cause of this, not because of some arbitrary against the industrial-capitalist nightmare As Earth Firsters, this shapes our strug- value system. that affronts wilderness and other non- gle against ecological destruction. It is not Earth First! Otautahi is currently en- human life. Earth First! Otau- gaged in a campaign to stop both tahi joins the growing number the Cyprus mine, backed by SOE of Earth First! cells across the Solid Energy, and the Pike River world. mine, backed by NZ Oil & Gas. Earth First! is not an organi- These are both planned for the sation, it is a priority. Each Earth West Coast. We are currently tar- First! cell operates autonomous- geting Solid Energy, as they have ly – there are no corporate hier- offi ces based here but also plan to archies here, no ‘fontliners’ on the street more effi cient technologies that will save halt the Pike River mine on the ground. gobbling up people’s hard-earned cash the planet, recycling or “sustainable” ener- The fi rst stage is a consciousness-rais- and in return giving them a false sense of gy, but a complete overthrow of the indus- ing effort as well as a low intensity attack achievement. trial-capitalist system and its human-cen- on Solid Energy. When the mining eventu- Earth First! operates based on the phi- tred orientation and drive for “progress”. ally begins, the campaign will escalate to losophy of deep ecology. Deep ecology We also reject scientifi c rationalism, it an all-out confrontation on the proposed blames the common sense and pervasive being nothing more than a human-centred mine-sites themselves. notion of anthropocentrism – or human- ideology, and in no way “objective”. It has centredness – as being one of the key fac- been used as a justifi cation for atrocities Earth First! Otautahi tors that justifi es the destruction of ecosys- ranging from colonialism to the devasta- 9th July 2004, Christchurch tems, alongside other major factors like tion of the environment. otautahi@earthfi rst.org.nz patriarchy and capitalism. Instead, deep We believe ecosystems have an inher-

Anarchist Conference Coming Soon THE ANARCHIST conference to be held in Christchurch/Otautahi and set for La- To the point... bour weekend (23-25th October) later this What? - Anarchist conference and other fun stuff year is well on track and it’s looking like Who? - Open to all anarchists and freedom-loving leftists, or those just curious it’s gonna be a lot of fun. The conference is When? - Labour Weekend, 23-25th October open to all anarchists and freedom-loving Where? - Aldersgate, Christchurch/Otautahi leftists, as well as anyone just curious. What else? - Accomodation, childcare and some food provided! We’re well on our way to getting the And next? - More info to come... workshops sorted. So far the topics pro- posed are an intro to anarchism, tino the works for the weekend, as well as mu- able to offer a bit of help – and of course rangatiratanga, organisation, running an sic and bands on Saturday and maybe even it’ll be vegan. infoshop, sexism in the movement, indy- three-sided soccer! We’re also thinking of We’ll have a website up shortly with media, group dynamics, libertarian educa- fi nishing the weekend with a bit of direct all the information on it and will keep eve- tion, workplace organising, the anti-war action – with so many anarchists in one ryone up to date. We hope to see you all movement, radical ecology, security cul- place it’d be a perfect opportunity! (But of there! ture and the relevance of class today. course that’s all hush hush) If you want to do a workshop there’s We are taking care of accomodation Anarchist Round Table still time to get in! Plus we also plan to as well as childcare, but we’d appreciate a 14th July 2004, Christchurch have one or two ‘open spaces’ during the heads up well before the event about both [email protected] weekend for the more spontaneous of of those so we can make plans. There’s go- http://art.anarchsim.org.nz you! ing to be several meals provided over the There is a ‘reclaim the night’ march in weekend and hopefully everyone will be imminent rebellion - Issue 5 - Page 4 Communication & Project Updates Anarchy Lives and Learns in Wanganui THE MARAMA-ITI experiment in ‘par- Tea Party with another conference in May A neighbour said to us recently, “we ticipatory anarchism’ continues to be a big organised by national Treaty education don’t fear the cops around here, it’s the learning curve for all those involved! group – ‘arc’ – which was a big success. building inspector you gotta watch out The day to day physical work is hard, Another gathering is being planned for this for!” but always exciting, as small projects summer and more ideas keep getting sug- So as we plot there is a constant nag... come to fruition making life easier while gested all the time. how far do we push things? The risks are continuing to fuel dreams (and more out- As for wider community organising we big, but the rewards are of course immeas- landish schemes!). It’s been interesting to have initiated the formation of a local an- urably worth a whole lot more. watch our priorities shift from revolving archist group and a news sheet ‘The River So, ‘long LIVE anarchy!’ around consuming luxuries to the more ba- Rat’. Both are still in the planning stages sic needs of clean water, warm shelter etc. but we have enthusiastic locals keen to Marama-iti Plans to set up a trust for the property stir some shit – especially about the com- 15th July 2004, Wanganui are still in the distance as is formalised de- ing local election which will probably see [email protected] cision making processes etc. while there Michael Laws as mayor of our wee town! are only two permanent residents (if we Titles, aims, political affi liations, con- can’t work it out with only two people...). tacts, boring meetings.... these will all We continued on from the Anarchist come soon.

The Fuse is Burning... FUSE Anarchist Discussion is a Dunnedin discussion group. We have held fortnightly discussions on topics such as direct action and workplace struggle, unions, anarchism, and direct democracy. Attendances have been good for a small, conservative town. And just in case we get accused of being armchair anarchists, al- ready a spin-off group is being formed to establish a radical union. Get in contact if you want to come along to the next discussion.

Fuse Anarchist Discussion 13th July 2004, Dunedin [email protected]

Booktore Bandits Battle Bypass Beast MAYDAY 2004 was the ninth birthday of neighbourhood, and there’s an extra $2 Buy. Buy. BUY your way to a better Aotearoa’s longest running anti-capitalist million set aside just for activists (security world. Tuesday to Saturday 12-4pm (Late super-store. The Freedom Shop started it’s costs). night Wednesday until 6pm) life in Auckland, but has been kicking ass If it was to go ahead, the proposed Te on Cuba Street for nearly a decade. Frivol- Aro bypass would carve a motorway on- The Freedom Shop, 272 Cuba Street, ity was arm-in-arm in solidarity with may- ramp across the Freedom Shop, before Wellington City. P.O. Box 9263. Email: hem & debauchery as local supporters and tearing through Tonks Ave, a heritage site. [email protected] assorted trouble-makers stuffed themselves Neighbouring residents are being threat- full of cake & rampaged in the streets for ened with an October eviction, the anniversary celebrations. but the Freedom Shop collective The Freedom Shop is run by an ever- will not be moving on without changing motley collective of pirates, a fi ght. Having survived one at- scallywags and ne’er-do-wells. Our com- temped eviction, two burglaries mitment to non-heirarchical organisation and numerous Dead Vicious gigs, ensures that we enjoy many hours of love- we’ll be bunkering in and baring ly meetings so you can peruse & purchase our teeth. the most essential texts, raucous tunes and Mail us a self-addressed enve- naughiest zines. The shop hours can be a lope if you want a pamphlet cata- bit random but that just makes it that much logue, or send an email if you want more special when you do fi nd us open. us to let you know when our next Like all activist projects we’re often short big book shipment comes through. of willing volunteers. To learn more about the bypass It’s not just tea & choccy over a good contact: nobypass@graffi ti. book and nice conversation though - net there’s high adventure ahead for the Free- Be sure to come in dom Shop crew. The mayor wants to pour and say hello if you’re 40 million dollars worth of concrete on our walking past.

imminent rebellion - Issue 5 - Page 5 Articles & Analysis The Taming of Tino Rangatiratanga

LIKE A cockroach, the modern state has an the period. Organisations such as Nga Tamatoa on parliament published in 1979, “We seek the impressive instinct for its own survival. When and the Polynesian Panthers saw the roots of support of workers and their organisations, as faced with conditions that seriously threaten its minority oppression in the social relations of the only viable bodies which have sympathy dominance it can adapt and reorganise itself, the colonial state and the capitalist system, and and understanding of the Maori people and giving the illusion of change where none has promoted a strategy of liberation through revo- their desires. The people who are oppressing occurred. This is what Antonio Gramsci termed lution. As the Panthers stated, “The revolution the workers today are the same who are exploit- a passive revolution, a process whereby the rul- we openly rap about is one of total change. We ing Maori.” ing political forces manage to diffuse a revolu- see that many of our problems of racism and By the early 1980’s Maori had achieved a tionary crisis by making sufficient concessions oppression are tools of this society’s outlook high level of solidarity with other progressive to a subversive group to secure their allegiance, based on capitalism; hence for total change one social and labour movements, and had subse- without any real expansion of that group’s eco- must change society altogether.” quently evolved into a powerful and cohesive nomic or political power. While Nga Tamatoa was eventually divided protest group that directly challenged the legiti- During the early 1980’s our own little co- between those who sought change for Maori macy of the colonial state lonial state was faced with just such a crisis brought on by the extreme economic hardship “Today it seems in- The Passive Revolution of the period, as well as the increasingly mili- evitable that the mas- This push towards Maori self-determination tant reassertion of Maori autonomy as guaran- was only one part of a general crisis of legiti- teed under the Treaty of Waitangi. In this article sive upheaval gen- macy suffered by the state between 1979-1985. I want to briefly discuss the passive revolution erated by Labour’s Political turmoil, fiscal instability, massive un- carried out by the 4th Labour Government – a employment and the politicisation of ethnic and strategy which effectively castrated the revolu- latest attempt to vio- gender inequality forced the government to ad- tionary ethic of early Maori protest at a time late Maori rights will dress and pacify Maori demands in the quickest when the very legitimacy of the colonial state be channelled and possible way, without disrupting the economic was under threat. Finally we may look at what and political foundations of the Pakeha state. this means for the future of New Zealand anar- contained within the This meant the redirection of Maori protest into chism. state system via an the institutions of government power where easily marginalized they could be efficiently contained. The passive The Flax-Roots Ethic revolution was primarily carried out through The 1960’s and 1970’s was a golden era in Maori Party poten- the Waitangi Tribunal, and the official policy of political activism internationally and this was tially dominated by biculturalism. closely paralleled in New Zealand. Maori pro- Since it’s ‘expansion’ in 1979, the Tribunal test groups of the time such as Te Hokioi and elite interests.” has had 3 main functions: (1) legitimation of The Maori Organisation on Human Rights through the reform of existing political struc- colonial state and legislative authority, (2) a (MOOHR) actively united with Pakeha anti- tures, and those who felt the system was funda- safety valve for more radical Maori demands, racist groups and union affiliations and sought mentally flawed, there was no room to mistake (3) circumvention of the Maori version of the to broaden the fight against Maori oppression. the common object of protest, a state that was Treaty. It was an effort on the part of the gov- Both MOOHR and Te Hokioi had strong recognised as both racist and capitalist. ernment to shape the nature of Maori demands trade union links and argued that the funda- This revolutionary ethic was strengthened and integrate a subversive social group into mental cleavage in New Zealand society was greatly during the late 1970’s in response to the the framework of the state. This was achieved between labour and capital, and advocated failures of the 3rd Labour government to secure through a judicial rewriting of the Treaty which a pan-racial struggle along class lines as the Maori rights. We saw mass direct action tactics undermined the contradictions between the most effective strategy for resolving racism and such as the land occupations at Bastion Point English and Maori versions of the text, and Maori inequality. These groups saw the Treaty and Raglan Golf Course, mass hikois such as hence avoided the problem of tino rangatira- of Waitangi as the cornerstone of a harmonious the 1975 land march on parliament, as well as tanga. The Court’s rewriting of the Treaty via society based on ethnic equality, providing past the systematic boycott of Waitangi Day cel- the ‘principles of the Treaty’ favoured the co- injustices were redeemed. ebrations. lonial version and was essentially a redefinition During the early 1970’s the momentum of These actions brought together a diverse of the Government’s obligations to make them the movement shifted to the ‘Brown Power’ Pakeha left – solidarity actively encouraged by compatible with the absolute authority to make of Auckland protest groups influenced by the many Maori activists. Te Matakite, the organ- laws and policy, including corporatisation. Black American revolutionary philosophies of ising committee behind the 1975 Land March In other words, it was the final consolida- imminent rebellion - Issue 5 - Page 6 Articles & Analysis tion of colonial rule. Like Jane Kelsey said, radical, younger leadership which had emerged through the legislative and political institu- “The Tribunal was a victory for all parties – it during the late 70’s. Such privileged positions tions of the capitalist state. It’s true that a few provided sufficient relief to satisfy the specific within the settlement process has also provid- drops of blood have been squeezed out of these and limited demands of Maori, while reinforc- ed an environment for widespread corruption particular stones, but only drops, and this was ing the legitimacy of state.” among many Maori elite, one such example overwhelmingly a result of the flax-roots move- The Tribunal is basically a ‘toothless tiger’, demonstrated in the 1994 Sealord deal. In a ment, not the parliamentary diversion. limited to making recommendations on which depressing irony, while the policy of bicultur- It is also true that these goals won’t come the Government is under no obligation to act, alism has made almost no gains in alleviating any closer to reality if the movement remains and its subordinate position has been made clear the subordinate position most Maori occupy in shackled to the narrow aspirations of purely on numerous occasions by the Court of Appeal. New Zealand society, the government’s hollow ethnic politics as it has done for much of the Although the Tribunal has served numerous Treaty worship has managed to fuel intense Pa- past 20 years. The strategy of any repressed positive functions, protecting Maori rights in keha reaction over what is perceived as ‘special minority seeking social justice should be based specific areas (mostly through the dedication of privileges’ for Maori. on the unification and extension of all forms under funded and under resourced personnel), So, by the early 90’s it could be said that of popular democratic and group struggle with this has obscured the fact that it has served as the passive revolution was complete. It was a similar aims, so as to mobilise ever wider sec- a barrier to the true realisation of Maori Treaty successful one in the sense that it diffused the tions of the population. This means a return to rights. The Tribunal has been easily marginal- elements of Maori protest that challenged the the flax-roots revolutionary ethic of the 60’s ized in times of Pakeha backlash and political legitimacy of colonial economic and political and 70’s. turbulence, and cynically venerated in times of authority, and succeeded in maintaining the In this context the struggles of anarchism Maori activism. status-quo through superficial institutional re- and the struggles of tino rangatiratanga can be For a passive revolution to be successful, it organisation. seen as essentially the same – we are both fight- requires both institutional, as well as ideologi- A passive revolution is never absolute, and ing to radically increase the scope of human cal reorganisation. While the Waitangi Tribunal we have seen a periodic resurgence of Maori freedom. In fact, I would say we are mutually was the revolution’s institutional dimension, protest over the Sealord deal, the fiscal enve- dependant. If anarchism is to evolve beyond a the official policy of biculturalism was it ideo- lope proposal, and most recently Labour’s tiny and largely invisible fringe movement into logical dimension. foreshore and seabed legislation. However, the an organised and truly subversive force in this In rhetoric, biculturalism is framed as the movement has yet to regain the intensity, depth country, solidarity with the principles of Maori final break with the old imperialist ideologies and revolutionary ethic which characterised cultural, economic and political self-determina- of assimilation to a brave new society based early Maori protest. tion is essential. Likewise for Maori activists, if on the celebration of ethnic diversity. In real- Today it seems inevitable that the massive the precondition for this kind of self-determina- ity, biculturalism is aimed at masking the true upheaval generated by Labour’s latest attempt tion is recognised as the destruction of the colo- nature of the colonial state, which is a system to violate Maori rights will be channelled and nial state and capitalist economic system, then of domination and subordination, and inclu- contained within the state system via an eas- solidarity with anarchism is equally essential. ily marginalized Maori This is something I intend to write more on, and Party potentially domi- hopefully this article can spark off some discus- nated by elite interests. sion. Willie Jackson has al- For now, let me say that if social equality ready made it clear tino in New Zealand is to become anything more rangitiratanga will not than an attractive myth, the unification between be on the agenda for the Maori and libertarian socialists is absolutely new party, and Taraiana crucial. This is where anarchist propaganda and Turia has shied away agitation should be focused, of course not in the from any suggestions spirit of paternalism or vangardism, but in the of forming a separate spirit of cooperation, mutual respect of our dif- Maori parliament, prov- ferences and the identification of similar aims. ing their commitment In this regard the formation of a Maori Party to following the same may yet have some positive side effects. Its in- orthodox and fruit- evitable failure to secure Maori rights will fur- less path of parliamen- ther prove the bankruptcy of the colonial state tary reform which has as a medium for progressive social change, but sion and exclusion. So biculturalism meant the largely dominated Maori politics for the past 20 whether this will serve to mobilise significant wholesale appropriation and incorporation of years. numbers of Maori to reach out and take back Maori cultural symbolism and personnel into control of their own destinies is unknown. This the framework of the Pakeha Government, giv- Tino Rangatiratanga & Anarchism is where the actions of flax-roots Maori subver- ing the illusion of ‘partnership’ as enshrined by So what does this mean for the future of Maori sives and the anarchist community could be de- the judicial rewriting of the Treaty. protest, and what relevance does it have to cisive, and these are circumstances we cannot Labour actively pursued a strategy of con- New Zealand anarchism? I think if Maori ac- afford to ignore. tainment, co-opting many key members of the tivists today are serious about ethnic equality protest movement into the political system and and Maori autonomy within a truly multicul- - Matt Russell Government bureaucracy. This resulted in many tural New Zealand society, they need to real- Maori leaders becoming increasingly isolated ise that group stratification is the foundation of from the flax-roots struggle and debased the our social structure, and this cannot be changed

imminent rebellion - Issue 5 - Page 7 Articles & Analysis SHUT THE FUCK UP! (or, How to act better in meetings) “Even with my mask I often spoke the tyranny of power. My first duty was to cultivate a revolutionary silence.” - Subcomandante Marcos

BEING AN activist these days means fighting for Who cares about meetings? how to do it. The alternative is an informal group a thousand different things - indigenous rights, Good question. Most meetings of large-ish organi- of the most influential and forceful members (who rainforests, corporate accountability, etc. Despite zations (of more than 30 people or so) I’ve been to dominate discussion) making the big decisions. this diversity of campaigns, there seems to be don’t amount to too much. The real work - doing some agreement on the kind of society we want research, getting people involved, organizing pro- It’s not just how often you talk, but to create. It’s a society that isn’t based on white tests and actions, fundraising, media stuff - gets how and when. supremacy, class exploitation, or patriarchy. done by working groups or individuals. Meetings Consensus decision making is a model of the This essay is about how men act in meetings. are just about a lot of talking, right? society we want to live in, and a tool we use to Mostly it’s about how we act badly, but it includes Well, yes and no. At worst meetings force a get there. Men often dominate consensus at the suggestions on how we can do better. Men in the lot of people to get together and generally discuss expense of everyone else. Think about the man movement reproduce patriarchy within the move- everything that’s been done, everything that’s who... ment and benefit from it. By patriarchy I mean a going on, and everything that needs to be done. * Speaks long, loud, first and often system of values, behaviours, and relationships These meetings tend to wander a lot. Responsibil- * Offers his opinion immediately whenever some- that keeps men in power. It relies on domina- ity is not clearly delegated, decisions aren’t made one makes a proposal, asks a question, or if there’s tion, claiming authority, and belligerence. By the overtly, and the organization isn’t more focused a lull in discussion movement I mean the anti-corporate globalization afterwards than before. At the same time, there’s * Speaks with too much authority: “Actually, it’s movement in the US I am a part of. heated arguments over seemingly trivial things, like this…” I think people organizing for affordable hous- or hurtful criticism of individuals. But those argu- * Can’t amend a proposal or idea he disagrees ing, against police brutality, for the rights of im- ments and criticisms don’t amount to too much in with, but trashes it instead migrants (for example) are also fighting the same the end. * Makes faces every time someone says some- system that’s wringing the blood out of the bottom But a good meeting is a different animal alto- thing he disagrees with 99 percent of the world’s population and the envi- gether. With good self-facilitation and a good fa- * Rephrases everything a woman says, as in, “I ronment they live in. However, I don’t know from cilitator (or two, or three...), everyone contributes think what Mary was trying to say is...” my experience if the men who organize around to the meeting, without anyone taking control over *Makes a proposal, then responds to each and those issues act the way the men in the movement it. People make constructive criticism, and try to every question and criticism of it - thus speaking do. incorporate concerns raised into their proposals. as often as everyone else put together (Note: This Just to be clear, those men are almost always And since everyone gets to contribute their ideas man often ends up being the facilitator) white and from middle-class or wealthier back- into the decision-making process, the decisions And don’t get me started about the bad male grounds. In my experience, as someone who iden- are not only the best possible ones - but also the facilitator who…: tifies as a man of colour, men of colour dominate ones people are most invested in. Since everyone * Always puts himself first on stack, because he meetings in basically the exact same way. But I feels ownership over the decisions, people are can find that men who do not speak English fluently more likely to take on responsibility for projects. * Somehow never sees the women with their hands tend not to do so as much. I wish I could think of If you’re serious about using consensus, you up, and never encourages people who haven’t spo- more exceptions. have to care about meetings. That’s the only place ken a group can democratically decide what to do and It’s rarely just one man who exhibits every Pac Man: The post-Modern Man? I THINK when you look enough into it, vid- drug dependant, rabidly consuming, yellow lit- each one symbolic of a different form of fear. eogames, especially the classics, can tell us a tle post modern fuck up is a load of crap we can The first less dangerous kind of ghost symbol- lot about ourselves and our reality. Think about all relate to. ises our natural animal fears, the fear of death, it. Frogger: some say an annoying and addic- So what does Pac Man do? What’s he trying fear for the safety of loved ones, fear of tropical tive little game about a frog trying to cross the to tell us? Well, the poor little bastard is trapped genital rashes and so on. The second, stronger street. Or is it a digital metaphor for life and in a box shaped maze which perpetually gener- variety of ghost represents an altogether more the pursuit of happiness, for the alienated man, ates ghosts. Pac Man is scared of these ghosts complex form of fear, what can best be de- his hopes and dreams relentlessly crushed un- and must take drugs allowing him to deny his scribed as The Burden of Society. These fears der the (symbolic) wheels of progress and the fears and destroy the spirits which constantly are varied and many, they range from fears of overwhelming powers of capitalist inequality? terrorise him. He can’t stop consuming and he money, fear of failure, fear of social alienation, You decide. must repeat these actions over and over again fear of physical imperfection, fear of poor peo- Ok, so maybe that’s a load of crap. But unless he will die. Sound familiar? ple, fear of rich people, fear of war and fear of I believe Pac Man, that constantly terrified, There are two types of ghosts in the game, the state. The hero’s experience of life therefore

imminent rebellion - Issue 5 - Page 8 Articles & Analysis problem trait. Instead it’s two or three compet- Every time someone... ers, measured in time spent with me, than most of ing to do all the above. But the result is the same: * Says something you think is irrelevant, the other kids I went to school with. everyone who can’t (or won’t) compete on these * Asks a (seemingly) obvious question, But a mere 15 years after I started learning to terms - talking long, loud, first and often - gets * Criticizes your proposal or makes a contradic- exhibit almost all the dominating male behaviour drowned out. tory observation, I list above, something happened. I was in a class This is a result of society’s programming. Al- * Makes a proposal, with a friend of mine. Let’s call her Anne, because most no men can actually live up to our culture’s * Asks a question, or that’s her name. Anne and I were in the same study fucked up standards of masculinity. And our soci- * Asks for more input because there’s a brief lull group, and the night before she had gone over the ety has standards for women that are equally ridic- in the discussion. . . exact question the professor was now asking. ulous. In one way, we both suffer equally. That’s ...Shut the fuck up. It’s a radical process, but I However, Anne wasn’t answering, even though why we all yearn and strive for a world where think you’ll like it. the rest of the class was silent. these standards - which serve to divide us I don’t know what struck me to actu- and reduce us and prop up those in control ally stop and think instead of answering the - are destroyed. question myself, as I was wont to do. That In another way these standards serve incident got me thinking about who spoke those who come closest to living up to most often in class, why, and what I could them. Sure, we all lose when a few men do. The answers to the first two questions dominate a meeting. But it’s those men I’ve basically given already. The third is a who get to make decisions, take credit for little trickier. the work everyone does, and come out feeling more inspired and confident. What else can we do? Lucky for us, being a man gives us a lot of But I can’t be sexist – I’m a hippie! authority. I mean that in a good way, too. Oh, but you can. The irony is that you can Much like people of colour are always as- basically do all the things listed above, sumed to be selfish or paranoid when they even if you don’t fit the stereotype of the speak out against racial profiling, women big strapping man. I’ve seen hippies, men are often assumed to be bitchy when they who would be described as feminine, call out patriarchal behaviour. queer men, and others who in many ways What does that mean for us? First, we go against the grain not go against the shut the fuck up. This was easy for me grain at all when it comes to dominating in school - I just made a rule that I never discussion. A hippie might speak slowly spoke more than twice in a 50 minute class. and use hippie slang, but still speak as the Surprise! Almost every time I would have voice of authority, and cut off the woman spoken, someone else eventually said the who was speaking before him. A man who exact same thing, or something smarter. It some might call feminine can still make a Men! - Sit down and shut the fuck up already! was frustrating when it was another obnox- face like he smelled something when someone he Since my childhood, I was raised by my par- ious man doing the answering, but a lot of times doesn’t respect says something he disagrees with, ents and by every teacher I ever had in school to it wasn’t one of the two guys in class who spoke thus telling her to shut up; he may also politely demand as much attention as possible. In class I most often. but consistently put himself on stack every time spoke more often than almost anyone else I knew. The problem is that the classroom is designed someone criticizes his proposal. Surprisingly enough, some of my teachers were to have one person in charge, and it ain’t the stu- annoyed with me. But while they may have coun- dent. While you could point out problem behav- So shut the fuck up already selled me to raise my hand first, they never asked iour in class, there’s not a lot of ‘space’ for it - it’s What’s to be done? I’ve come up with a little idea I me to speak less or listen more. As a result I prob- not expected or encouraged, and would probably like to call, “Shut the fuck up.” It goes as follows: ably got twice as much attention from my teach- be dismissed by the professor.

is a constant battle, one which consumes him so strength he needs for his droning routine and about it? His box is invisible, the drugs, the totally that all originality and creativity within to face the various demons running around the ghosts and the void are his reality. him is snuffed out and any idea of a different maze so he can continue his never-ending and The paradox of Pac Man is that he is petri- kind of reality is either extinguished or relegat- meaningless mission of consumption. Poor Pac fied of both life and death, and as a result he ed to fantasy or religion. This is why Pac Man Man. The most tragic consequence for this per- never really lives, and some people might say must keep consuming, to fill that void of noth- turbed little guy is that he is either too busy just he never really dies either. Pac Man doesn’t ingness inside him, a hollowness he created and trying to survive, too busy being molested by want to be free of himself, so he will never forgot how to fix. all these ghosts and demons, or too concerned free his Self from the box. This is the very Every day of Pac Man’s life he must he with scratching his un-scratchable itch that he sad, very real and very post modern story of repeat the same vacuous actions because he never even notices the maze he’s been running Pac Man. Can you help him ? believes if he stops he might die, and unfortu- around in. He’s never experienced anything nately, then it would be game over. This is why different, so as far as he is concerned nothing - Matt Russell Pac Man takes so many drugs, to give him the different can exist. What’s the point thinking

imminent rebellion - Issue 5 - Page 9 Articles & Analysis

The beauty of consensus is the facilitation. Not you, and you cut people off a lot, and that makes In your meetings, are women taking on only can we facilitate ourselves - and we should - it really hard for other people to participate” - is projects in proportion to their numbers? If you’re but we can facilitate each other. This is mainly the a big part of it. And as with any interaction, you not paying attention, you should be. Along with job of the person chosen to be the facilitator. But have to keep an open mind to hear their perspec- consensus, sharing work is one of the hallmarks of when the facilitator is ignoring problem behaviour tive. Ideally, you could resolve things at this level democratic organizing. In my experience the most - or exhibiting it - it’s easy for other people in the and not have to bring things up before the group. prestigious, challenging, and rewarding work be- group to guerrilla facilitate.’ But it’s still a good idea to come up with a longs to men. Often, it belongs to the same men Sometimes it’s as easy as pointing out the structure to address the way people act badly in who dominate the meetings where these tasks are people who have their hands up, but are somehow meetings, for people to regularly “check in” with ostensibly delegated. missed by the facilitator, or by suggesting straw how they feel the process is going. It also makes it One way men make work theirs (in the worst polls or go ‘rounds or other tools that get every- easier for people who wouldn’t normally criticize way) is by hoarding information around it. What one involved. But it’s usually not that easy. The others to do so constructively. The structure could work has been done? What’s left to do? What are worse the pattern of behaviour in the group, the mean that once every two months the group has a the priorities? The deadlines? If the work is done more natural the fucked-upedness will seem. And “process” meeting, where the focus is on how peo- informally, not only is there no accountability for you’ll often be given the evil eye by the people it getting done, but there are also no records and you’re calling out, if not a verbal backlash. And fi- “It means constantly no regular updates. This makes it almost impos- nally, it’s obviously not the job of the people most thinking about how sible to pass on responsibility for the project to trampled on by patriarchal behaviour to always be someone else - unless you’re setting them up for calling it out. That’s where we come in. We are, at we, as men, tend to failure. least at first, given the most respect when we call dominate and control Another problem is contacts. Somehow it out bad behaviour. the world around us. I seems that long time organizers tend to all know The problem is doing the calling out in a con- each other. If there’s a problem they can just call structive way. It’s all too easy to call people out think this struggle al- each other up. This isn’t just intimidating for peo- in a hurtful and authoritarian fashion - thus enter- ways starts with shut- ple lower on the activist totem pole; it makes it taining everyone with your unintended irony, but that much harder for them to get the same work also acting the exact way you don’t want others to. ting the fuck up.” done. If we pretend our contacts are just friends, When you call people out in a way that’s hurtful ple act in meetings, working groups, etc. It’s often instead of people we rely on to get work done, the instead of constructive, it still tends to keep the easier and ‘safer’ for people to call out problem group at the top will stay there. And I think that quietest people at a meeting from participating. behaviour, and easier and ‘safer’ for the culprits to group is almost all male. own up to it and ask for constructive criticism. Finally, there’s language. Experts in the capi- The solution Finally, it means constantly thinking about talist world tend to mystify their work. Whether So call people out, but try not to be too personal how we, as men, tend to dominate and control the it’s “move to demur,” “updating the HTML,” or about it. Unless it’s outrageous, wait until the per- world around us. To me this is most apparent (at “within the confines of this narrative,” profession- son is finished, and then make your process point least in other people) in meetings. To me, that’s als have a vested interest in making their work about how people should stick to stack, or con- also where it’s easiest to address. This is a continu- sound as obscure and difficult as possible. Pro- sider not talking if they’ve just spoken, or what- ous process. We have to always read about this, fessionals in our society own the little part of the ever. And if it seems someone’s pissed off at your talk about it, inquire into how others address it, world they have “expertise” over. They make de- calling them out (and white men make it real easy come up with creative and successful solutions, cisions that affect everyone, and get more control for you to tell if they’re pissed off), make the effort and apply them. But no matter where we take it, I and authority as time goes on. to talk to him after the meeting is over. It usually think this struggle always starts with shutting the Sound familiar? All these factors - hoard- doesn’t take much to smooth ruffled feathers. fuck up. ing information, exclusive contacts, mystifying Unfortunately, it also doesn’t take much for As men, we’re encouraged to dominate con- language - get even worse during a crisis. In the those same people to do the exact same thing the versation without even thinking about it. It’s too middle of an action it’s easy to say, “There’s no next meeting. So while part of the answer is self- easy for us to do really good work - fighting ge- time to teach anyone new, men or women, how to facilitation and facilitating others, another part netic engineering, tearing down the prison indus- work the radios.” First, that’s usually a group of is also giving everyone the skills and confidence trial complex, freeing Mumia - and still act exactly men speaking. Second, that’s why you have start they need to assert their place in the meeting. This like the frat boy next door. We have to confront before the action. If the problem is just a few big means having regular workshops, for new and ex- each other and ourselves so that domination stops egos and a lot of people’s complicity, then you can perienced activists, on how consensus is supposed seeming natural, and so we can start doing some- delegate immediately. If there’s more at work, you to work. It also means going through the formal thing about it. So the next time you don’t think have to set up a structure so folks outside the de process of consensus and explaining it during about how you’re talking, please think about how facto leadership meaningfully take on projects. meetings. You can do it quickly, especially after you’re talking. That structure can include documenting steps and the first few times. But when people assume that information, helping new people develop working everyone is familiar with the process, those who And the bonus section... relationships with other organizers, using every- are least confident (but still have good ideas) will But I can’t let a girl do this - I mean, I’m the only day language instead of bullshit acronyms, and so be the first to drop out of discussions. Meanwhile, one who knows how. on. But without a process it’s much more difficult other people who think they know the process but Shut the heck up! Sharing responsibility for to pass on that responsibility. don’t tend to hold things up. I’ll let you guess what projects is fundamental for ensuring that everyone And who do you think you’ll be passing it on I think the gender breakdown of those groups is. in the group develops skills and confidence. I’ll to? Another key ingredient is talking to individu- give credit where it’s due: We men are pretty good als outside of meetings. Talking honestly - “I know at letting women bottomline work like child care, - Freely inspired by Jo Freeman’s “The Tyranny you care about the group, but in meetings it seems note taking, food prep... But we rarely have struc- of Structurelessness.” like you talk down to anyone who disagrees with tures to let women take on our responsibilities.

imminent rebellion - Issue 5 - Page 10 Articles & Analysis Should we Re-invent the Wheel or Just Keep it Evolving?

THIS IS A short essay about some aspects of the Student Council is being set up by the students study of terrorism (Group, Individual and State) new school I’m working in and how it – and pos- with their ideas being related to teachers (if they that was chosen by the year 10 Social Studies class sibly others like it – have a very anarchistic style. wish to relate them) and the first action is a ‘code I’m teaching. Again, they only had a couple of Since February, I’ve been working as Sec- of conduct’ that students – and teachers – should subjects to choose from, but at least there’s some ondary Social Sciences teacher at Karamea Area follow. Parents are directly involved in the school choice, and the assessment was a presentation by School in the West Coast, and it’s direct demo- as volunteer helpers in a range of classroom and the students in their own style (with help from me cratic character and community feel is great. sport activities. Board of Trustee members are if needed). Karamea is a village of about 400 people, similarly involved. In the classroom, rules are de- There are lots of things to work on – there is mainly based around farming and tourism (it’s bated by the class before implementation by the still the rigidity of a timetable, the state require- the start of the Heaphy track). It’s 100km north Teacher who acts as a facilitator rather than a dic- ments and the assessment driven curriculum, and of Westport, and as such is very isolated – it’s the tator. Curriculum requirements and problems are there is not the direct democracy that should oper- furthest north you can go on the West Coast. The ate at all levels of the school. This will come over School has approximately 150 students from 5-16 “Often I think that an- time as schools evolve. Schools are a microcosm years old, the Secondary School has about 50 of archists are waiting for of society and have changed and are changing these (from year 9 to year 12). Having the primary the revolution and can greatly. We, all of us, need to get as involved as we and secondary together certainly helps the com- can in the running of our schools so that decisions munity feel of the school, as there are brothers and be dismissive of an are community ones. The school I’m involved in is sisters from 5 to 16 years of age in the same school evolving freedom. We showing the way and is encouraging the one thing – some of them are taught by their relatives also that I want to be involved in - a love of learning. (parents, uncles/aunties, and in one case, their sis- don’t need to re-invent Often I think that anarchists are waiting for ter!) the wheel.” the revolution and can be dismissive of an evolv- The last article I contributed to imminent re- sorted out in an open fashion, usually one-on-one ing freedom. I have to say that the three months bellion (Issue 3) described some of the characteris- in the senior school, so the students know what I’ve been in Karamea have been a revelation to tics that schools could have to encourage learning, the state requires. Things can be changed to suit me. I didn’t believe that schools could have such mainly concentrating on direct democracy ideas. talents, interests and time constraints or other dif- a strong community base and operate so well in This is what I have experienced – to an extent – at ficulties. Aotearoa. It is my own lack of experience – and Karamea. Firstly, classes are small (6-15 students) For instance, changing the curriculum to suit perhaps a touch of cynicism – that clouded my which helps facilitate discussion, teachers are ap- student interests, especially in relation to assess- views previously. This is unfortunate, as due to my proachable, curriculum requirements are clear, ment through Achievement Standards, is encour- ignorance I have missed out on seeing the good and students and teachers are very direct with each aged. An example of this was my experience of things that happen around us. We don’t need to re- other, so for subjects it’s crystal clear as to what is teaching year 12 Classics in which the style of as- invent the wheel. The anarchistic ideas that are an being done, how, and why. sessment is chosen by the class (they created their ideal are on their way to being created. We just The students are well known to all the teach- own short play as a group). Sure, it was within rea- need to get involved – and see what’s around us. ers and vise-versa. Trust is the way to keep a good sonably small perameters and an assessment activ- learning environment, which is encouraged by the ity must be done, but at least it’s a start. Another - George van den Hoeven Principal, Vice-Principal and Senior Teachers. A example of adjustability in small groups is the

What anarchism means to me... “I won’t help murderers and rapists struggling paigns using feminist messages to sell products erwise, anywhere. It means recognising each to be free. My sisters always pay the price, they produced through the exploitation of wimmin individual’s autonomy, but also recognising matter more to me than a newborn state where in the third world. I was fed up with Marxists our responsibilities to each other. It means the men will put us down. I’d rather smash your who seem to think that wimmin’s liberation end of patriarchy. If this sounds impossibly country than help you build another one.” will magically come about after the revolution idealistic, then at least we’re idealising the (and not a minute sooner!). best possible world. WHEN I first encountered anarchism, it Anarcha-feminism offers an alternative ap- Anarchism also means a few things I wish didn’t really appeal. The call for total freedom proach to wimmin’s liberation. It views patriar- it didn’t. It means being snubbed because I seemed like a mandate for people to do what- chy, capitalism and the state as intertwined in- don’t listen to Doom. It means being frowned ever they want, regardless of the consequenc- stitutes of oppression. It stresses liberation for on because I think animal rights are as im- es for others. It wasn’t until I started learning all, not equality with an oppressed male popula- portant as human rights. It means shutting about anarcha-feminism that I began to call tion. It acknowledges that suffrage has failed to up and not challenging sexism in case a male myself an anarchist. bring wimmin (or men) freedom. It focuses on anarchist thinks I’m violating his freedom of I was fed up with guys saying “we gave the need to live anarchism now, without giving speech. How we deal with these problems you the vote, what else do you want?” I was up on the possibility of revolution. says a lot about the feasibility of the anarchist fed up with female politicians being hailed as This is what anarchism means to me: a fight world of which we dream. wimmin’s rights warriors when most wimmin for freedom, not just from class oppression, but are so underpaid. I was fed up with ad cam- from all exploitation, of anyone, human or oth- - Ali

imminent rebellion - Issue 5 - Page 11 Articles & Analysis A Primitivist Primer

AUTHOR’S NOTE: This is not a definitive state- coercion, domination, and exploitation - and the ian aspects of primitive lifeways with the most ment, merely a personal account, and seeks in creation of a form of community that excludes advanced forms of anarchist analysis of power general terms to explain what is meant by anar- all such relations. relations. The aim is not to replicate or return to cho-primitivism. It does not wish to limit or ex- the primitive, merely to see the primitive as a clude, but provide a general introduction to the So why is the term anarcho-primitiv- source of inspiration, as exemplifying forms of topic. Apologies for inaccuracies, misinterpreta- ist used? anarchy. tions, or (inevitable) overgeneralizations. In 1986, the circle around the Detroit paper Fifth For anarcho-primitivists, civilization is the Estate indicated that they were engaged in de- overarching context within which the multi- What is anarcho-primitivism? veloping a ‘critical analysis of the technologi- plicity of power relations develop. Some basic Anarcho-primitivism (a.k.a. radical primitivism, cal structure of western civilization[,] combined power relations are present in primitive societies anti-authoritarian primitivism, the anti-civiliza- with a reappraisal of the indigenous world and - and this is one reason why anarcho-primitivists tion movement, or just, primitivism) is a short- the character of primitive and original communi- do not seek to replicate these societies - but it is hand term for a radical current that critiques the ties. In this sense we are primitivists ...’ The Fifth in civilization that power relations become per- totality of civilization from an anarchist perspec- Estate group sought to complement a critique of vasive and entrenched in practically all aspects tive, and seeks to initiate a comprehensive trans- civilization as a project of control with a reap- of human life and human relations with the bio- formation of human life. praisal of the primitive, which they regarded as a sphere. Strictly speaking, there is no such thing as source of renewal and anti-authoritarian inspira- Civilization - also referred to as the mega- anarcho-primitivism or anarcho-primitivists. tion. machine or Leviathan - becomes a huge machine Fredy Perlman, a major voice in this current, This reappraisal of the primitive takes place which gains its own momentum and becomes once said, “The only -ist name I respond to is from an anarchist perspective, a perspective con- beyond the control of even its supposed rulers. “cellist”.’ Individuals associated with this current cerned with eliminating power relations. Point- Powered by the routines of daily life which are ing to ‘an emerging synthesis of post-modern an- defined and managed by internalized patterns of “The aim is to develop archy and the primitive (in the sense of original), obedience, people become slaves to the machine, a synthesis of primal Earth-based ecstatic vision,’ the Fifth Estate cir- the system of civilization itself. Only widespread cle indicated: refusal of this system and its various forms of and contemporary control, revolt against power itself, can abolish anarchy, a synthesis We are not anarchists per se, but pro-anarchy, civilization, and pose a radical alternative. which is for us a living, integral experience, Ideologies such as Marxism, classical anar- of the ecologically-fo- incommensurate with Power and refusing all chism and feminism oppose aspects of civiliza- cussed, non-statist, ideology ... Our work on the FE as a project ex- tion; only anarcho-primitivism opposes civiliza- anti-authoritarian as- plores possibilities for our own participation in tion, the context within which the various forms this movement, but also works to rediscover the of oppression proliferate and become pervasive pects of primitive life- primitive roots of anarchy as well as to docu- - and, indeed, possible. Anarcho-primitivism in- ways with the most ment its present expression. Simultaneously, we corporates elements from various oppositional examine the evolution of Power in our midst in currents - ecological consciousness, anarchist advanced forms of order to suggest new terrains for contestations anti-authoritarianism, feminist critiques, Situ- anarchist analysis of and critique in order to undermine the present ationist ideas, zero-work theories, technological power relations.” tyranny of the modern totalitarian discourse criticism - but goes beyond opposition to single - that hyper-reality that destroys human mean- forms of power to refuse them all and pose a do not wish to be adherents of an ideology, mere- ing, and hence solidarity, by simulating it with radical alternative. ly people who seek to become free individuals in technology. Underlying all struggles for freedom free communities in harmony with one another is this central necessity: to regain a truly human How does anarcho-primitivism dif- and with the biosphere, and may therefore refuse discourse grounded in autonomous, intersubjec- fer from anarchism? to be limited by the term ‘anarcho-primitivist’ or tive mutuality and closely associated with the From the perspective of anarcho-primitivism, any other ideological tagging. natural world. all other forms of radicalism appear as reform- At best, then, anarcho-primitivism is a con- ist, whether or not they regard themselves as venient label used to characterise diverse indi- The aim is to develop a synthesis of primal revolutionary. Marxism and classical anarchism, viduals with a common project: the abolition of and contemporary anarchy, a synthesis of the ec- for example, want to take over civilization, re- all power relations - e.g., structures of control, ologically-focussed, non-statist, anti-authoritar- work its structures to some degree, and remove imminent rebellion - Issue 5 - Page 12 Articles & Analysis its worst abuses and oppressions. However, 99% the envisioned future is not ‘primitive’ in any ‘claws and fangs.’ Anarcho-primitivists are thus of life in civilization remains unchanged in their stereotypical sense. As the Fifth Estate said in opposed to technology, but there is some debate future scenarios, precisely because the aspects of 1979: ‘Let us anticipate the critics who would over how central technology is to domination in civilization they question are minimal. accuse us of wanting to go “back to the caves” civilization. Although both want to abolish capitalism, or of mere posturing on our part - i.e., enjoying A distinction should be drawn between tools and classical anarchism would abolish the State the comforts of civilization all the while being its (or implements) and technology. Perlman shows too, overall life patterns wouldn’t change too hardiest critics. We are not posing the Stone Age that primitive peoples develop all kinds of tools much. Although there might be some changes in as a model for our Utopia[,] nor are we suggest- and implements, but not technologies: ‘The ma- socioeconomic relations, such as worker control ing a return to gathering and hunting as a means terial objects, the canes and canoes, the digging of industry and neighbourhood councils in place for our livelihood.’ sticks and walls, were things a single individual of the State, and even an ecological focus, basic As a corrective to this common misconcep- could make, or they were things, like a wall, that patterns would remain unchanged. tion, it’s important to stress that that the future required the cooperation of many on a single oc- The Western model of progress would mere- envisioned by anarcho-primitivism is sui generis casion .... Most of the implements are ancient, ly be amended and would still act as an ideal. - it is without precedent. Although primitive and the [material] surpluses [these implements Mass society would essentially continue, with cultures provide intimations of the future, and supposedly made possible] have been ripe since most people working, living in artificial, tech- that future may well incorporate elements de- the first dawn, but they did not give rise to im- nologised environments, and subject to forms of rived from those cultures, an anarcho-primitivist personal institutions. People, living beings, give coercion and control. world would likely be quite different from previ- rise to both.’ Radical ideologies on the Left seek to capture ous forms of anarchy. Tools are creations on a localised, small- power, not abolish it. Hence, they develop vari- scale, the products of either individuals or small ous kinds of exclusive groups - cadres, political How does anarcho-primitivism view groups on specific occasions. As such, they do parties, consciousness-raising groups - in order technology? not give rise to systems of control and coercion. to win converts and plan strategies for gaining John Zerzan defines technology as ‘the ensemble Technology, on the other hand, is the product of control. Organizations, for anarcho-primitivists, of division of labor/production/industrialism and large-scale interlocking systems of extraction, are just rackets, gangs for putting a particular its impact on us and on nature. Technology is the production, distribution and consumption, and ideology in power. Politics, ‘the art and science sum of mediations between us and the natural such systems gain their own momentum and of government,’ is not part of the primitivist dynamic. As such, they demand structures project; only a politics of desire, pleasure, of control and obedience on a mass scale - mutuality and radical freedom. what Perlman calls impersonal institutions. As the Fifth Estate pointed out in 1981: Where, according to primitivism, ‘Technology is not a simple tool which can does power originate? be used in any way we like. It is a form of Again, a source of some debate among anar- social organization, a set of social relations. cho-primitivists. Perlman sees the creation It has its own laws. If we are to engage in its of impersonal institutions or abstract power use, we must accept its authority. The enor- relations as the defining moment at which mous size, complex interconnections and primitive anarchy begins to be dismantled stratification of tasks which make up mod- by civilized social relations. In contrast, ern technological systems make authoritar- John Zerzan locates the development of ian command necessary and independent, symbolic mediation - in its various forms of individual decision-making impossible.’ number, language, time, art and later, agri- Anarcho-primitivism is an anti-sys- culture - as the means of transition from hu- temic current: it opposes all systems, in- man freedom to a state of domestication. stitutions, abstractions, the artificial, the The focus on origin is important in synthetic, and the machine, because they anarcho-primitivism because primitivism embody power relations. Anarcho-primitiv- seeks, in exponential fashion, to expose, ists thus oppose technology or the techno- challenge and abolish all the multiple forms logical system, but not the use of tools and of power that structure the individual, social implements in the senses indicated here. relations, and interrelations with the natural As to whether any technological forms world. Locating origins is a way of identi- will be appropriate in an anarcho-primitiv- fying what can be safely salvaged from the ist world, there is debate over this issue. wreck of civilization, and what it is essential The Fifth Estate remarked in 1979 that: to eradicate if power relations are not to recom- world and the sum of those separations mediat- ‘Reduced to its most basic elements, discussions mence after civilization’s collapse. ing us from each other. It is all the drudgery and about the future sensibly should be predicated on What kind of future is envisaged by anarcho- toxicity required to produce and reproduce the what we desire socially and from that determine primitivists? Anarcho-primitivist journal “An- stage of hyper-alienation we languish in. It is the what technology is possible. All of us desire cen- archy; A Journal of Desire Armed” envisions a texture and the form of domination at any given tral heating, flush toilets, and electric lighting, future that is ‘radically cooperative & communi- stage of hierarchy and domination.’ but not at the expense of our humanity. Maybe tarian, ecological and feminist, spontaneous and Opposition to technology thus plays an they are all possible together, but maybe not.’ wild,’ and this might be the closest you’ll get to important role in anarcho-primitivist practice. What about medicine? Ultimately, anarcho- a description! There’s no blueprint, no proscrip- However, Fredy Perlman says that ‘technol- primitivism is all about healing - healing the rifts tive pattern, although it’s important to stress that ogy is nothing but the Leviathan’s armory,’ its that have opened up within individuals, between

imminent rebellion - Issue 5 - Page 13 Articles & Analysis people, and between people and nature, the rifts pacities as in patriarchal societies, and this would the biosphere they inhabit. It wants, then, a to- that have opened up through civilization, through result in lower population levels too. tal transformation, a transformation of identity, power, including the State, Capital, and technol- So population would be likely to fall, willy- ways of life, ways of being, and ways of com- ogy. nilly. After all, as Perlman makes plain, popula- municating. The German philosopher Nietzsche said that tion growth is purely a product of civilization: This means that the tried and tested means pain, and the way it is dealt with, should be at the ‘a steady increase in human numbers [is] as per- of power-seeking ideologies just aren’t relevant heart of any free society, and in this respect, he sistent as the Leviathan itself. This phenomenon to the anarcho-primitivist project, which seeks is right. Individuals, communities and the Earth seems to exist only among Leviathanized human to abolish all forms of power. So new forms of itself have been maimed to one degree or another beings. Animals as well as human communities action and being, forms appropriate to and com- by the power relations characteristic of civiliza- in the state of nature do not proliferate their own mensurate with the anarcho-primitivist project, tion. People have been psychologically maimed kind to the point of pushing all others off the need to be developed. This is an ongoing process but also physically assaulted by illness and dis- field.’ and so there’s no easy answer to the question: ease. So there’s really no reason to suppose that What is to be done? This isn’t to suggest that anarcho-primitiv- human population shouldn’t stabilise once Le- At present, many agree that communities of ism can abolish pain, illness and disease! How- viathanic social relations are abolished and com- resistance are an important element in the anar- ever, research has revealed that many diseases munitarian harmony is restored. Ignore the weird cho-primitivist project. The word ‘community’ are the results of civilized living conditions, and fantasies spread by some commentators hostile to is bandied about these days in all kinds of absurd if these conditions were abolished, then certain anarcho-primitivism who suggest that the popu- ways (e.g., the business community), precisely types of pain, illness and disease could disap- lation levels envisaged by anarcho-primitivists because most genuine communities have been pear. As for the remainder, a world which places destroyed by Capital and the State. Some think pain at its centre would be vigorous in its pursuit “If traditional com- that if traditional communities, frequently sourc- of assuaging it by finding ways of curing illness munities, frequently es of resistance to power, have been destroyed, and disease. sources of resistance then the creation of communities of resistance In this sense, anarcho-primitivism is very - communities formed by individuals with resist- concerned with medicine. However, the alienat- to power, have been ance as their common focus - are a way to recre- ing high-tech, pharmaceutical-centred form of destroyed, then the ate bases for action. medicine practised in the West is not the only creation of commu- An old anarchist idea is that the new world form of medicine possible. The question of what must be created within the shell of the old. This medicine might consist of in an anarcho-primi- nities of resistance - means that when civilization collapses - through tivist future depends, as in the Fifth Estate com- communities formed its own volition, through our efforts, or a com- ment on technology above, on what is possible by individuals with re- bination of the two - there will be an alternative and what people desire, without compromising waiting to take its place. This is really necessary the lifeways of free individuals in ecologically- sistance as their com- as, in the absence of positive alternatives, the centred free communities. As on all other ques- mon focus - are a way social disruption caused by collapse could eas- tions, there is no dogmatic answer to this issue. ily create the psychological insecurity and social to recreate bases for vacuum in which fascism and other totalitarian What about population? action.” dictatorships could flourish. A controversial issue, largely because there isn’t would have to be achieved by mass die-offs or For the present writer, this means that anar- a consensus among anarcho-primitivists on this nazi-style death camps. These are just smear tac- cho-primitivists need to develop communities topic. Some people argue that population reduc- tics. The commitment of anarcho-primitivists to of resistance - microcosms (as much as they tion wouldn’t be necessary; others argue that it the abolition of all power relations, including the can be) of the future to come - both in cities and would on ecological grounds and/or to sustain State with all its administrative and military ap- outside. These need to act as bases for action the kind of lifeways envisaged by anarcho-prim- paratus, and any kind of party or organization, (particularly direct action), but also as sites for itivists. means that such orchestrated slaughter remains the creation of new ways of thinking, behaving, George Bradford, in How Deep is Deep an impossibility as well as just plain horren- communicating, being, and so on, as well as new Ecology?, argues that women’s control over dous. sets of ethics - in short, a whole new liberatory reproduction would lead to a fall in population culture. They need to become places where peo- rate. How might an anarcho-primitivist ple can discover their true desires and pleasures, The personal view of the present writer is future be brought about? and through the good old anarchist idea of the that population would need to be reduced, but The sixty-four thousand dollar question! (to use exemplary deed, show others by example that this would occur through natural wastage - i.e., a thoroughly suspect metaphor!) There are no alternative ways of life are possible. when people died, not all of them would be hard-and-fast rules here, no blueprint. The glib However, there are many other possibilities replaced, and thus the overall population rate answer - seen by some as a cop-out - is that forms that need exploring. The kind of world envisaged would fall and eventually stabilise. of struggle emerge in the course of insurgency. by anarcho-primitivism is one unprecedented in Anarchists have long argued that in a free This is true, but not necessarily very helpful! human experience in terms of the degree and world, social, economic and psychological pres- The fact is that anarcho-primitivism is not a types of freedom anticipated ... so there can’t sures toward excessive reproduction would be power-seeking ideology. It doesn’t seek to cap- be any limits on the forms of resistance and in- removed. There would just be too many other ture the State, take over factories, win converts, surgency that might develop. The kind of vast interesting things going on to engage people’s create political organizations, or order people transformations envisaged will need all kinds of time! Feminists have argued that women, freed about. Instead, it wants people to become free innovative thought and activity. of gender constraints and the family structure, individuals living in free communities which would not be defined by their reproductive ca- are interdependent with one another and with - John Moore

imminent rebellion - Issue 5 - Page 14 Articles & Analysis Building the Counter-culture (This isn’t a finished thought process in my these is the reconnection with ourselves and the throws our way. These counter-cultures can act as own mind so I’m sure there are lots of helpful attempt to take control of our own destinies. partial sanctuaries, empowering both ourselves changes people could suggest [which I en- These counter-cultures provide us with both and others to replicate our activity. As we live our courage]. Also, having had the last article for the hope that change really is possible, as well as libertarian and ecological principles I believe it is imminent rebellion pull out, I’m writing this a base from which to act. quite infectious – after all, most of us got hooked in less than a day and to a strict word limit on the laughs and commitment of others. so I’m sure its scope will be limited. But that The Need for Hope said…) Our movement(s) is a movement primarily of Opening Up Space youth. People full of hope and optimism come on But just as we need to defend ourselves and cre- If we are to actually change things then there are board, resist for a few years and then lose hope ate bases of sustenance and nourishment, we some things we have to do: We have to build our and fall off the wagon. Finding strength to be- should never forget the importance of defence own economic, justice and social systems. We lieve, the faith to dream of the possible let alone through attack. have to do this all the while maintaining an equal the impossible, is arduous. But without this hope, With these counter-cultures acting to nourish emphasis towards destroying the existing culture this optimism, our movement is lost. us, they can then act as bases of resistance. From and its fucked up systems. Just as the industrial-capitalist system is de- here we can protest, march, take part in direct ac- - Making Punk a Threat Again stroying nature all over the globe, so it is haemor- tion, all the while having an ongoing foundation, rhaging our internal nature. Everywhere we are as oppose to these actions being individual and (R)EVOLUTION is a process of individuals and taught that change isn’t possible and that hope is disjointed short-term acts. collectives reclaiming what has been taken from naïve. Those without hope but also without the But more than anything we need to open up us, rediscovering our power and creativity togeth- space for the (r)evolution to grow. While most er. It is the evolutionary process of the creation of activism today is usually a reaction to the actions new worlds. As we try to create these new worlds of the powers that be, I believe we should make we will inevitably come to challenge Power. I moves to start setting the agenda. think the creation of new ways of living is just The physical manifestations of these coun- as important as resistance to this system, and I ter-cultures (whether they be communes, squats, believe it can be a form of resistance in itself. The TAZ etc.) should act to be attacks on the system creation of these counter-cultures is essential if in and of themselves. Where we hit walls in our we are to sustain and nurture a living, loving and attempts to live as we dream we should seek to fighting resistance across generations. surpass those obstacles. A counter-culture is not simply an alternative In particular, I think the occupying and use of lifestyle, nor is it something solely concerned land (which in Aotearoa, could closely be worked with art or poetry. I use the word culture in its in with tino rangatiratanga struggles) would pose fullest sense: the sum total of how we live and a serious threat. Of course, this needs a consider- perceive our world. This includes our day to day able culture behind it to have some sort of popu- routines, our relationships with one another and lar legitimacy and that should be one of our tasks our communities, our languages, our means of today. production and consumption. So a counter-cul- ability to fool themselves turn in larger numbers We also should be working to get others in- ture is a culture of resistance, a culture through to pseudo-escapism and violence on themselves volved and build the counter-culture. We should which the glimmer of the world for which we and each other. The result is an ever speeding forever be pushing to expand the horizons of the fight is expressed, as well as a means of suste- emotional meltdown resulting in an epidemic of counter-culture, by inspiring others to action and nance for the present and a platform for growth. depression, self harm and violence. actively working to get them involved. Whilst So let’s get real: what is meant by counter- The first goal of any (r)evolutionary move- acknowledging our somewhat privileged posi- culture? Well like I said, I’m talking about a total ment is to guard against this attack on ourselves, tion, we should struggle to branch out and make transformation of our lived experience (at least as to be able to sustain and nurture our hope, opti- spaces available for others to start taking back is practically possible within the confines of this mism and vision of a future so beautiful that it what is theirs. system). And I think this idea of counter-culture naturally inspires us to action. is best expressed in the re-establishment of com- This is where counter-cultures come in. By - Torrance (Freely plagiarised from “Down munities. Whether these are in the form of squats, creating a new way of living and relating to one with the Empire! Up with the Spring!” from Do communes, permanent/temporary autonomous another we can challenge and confront the bar- or Die issue 10.) zones, or social centres, the key idea central all rage of lies and shit that industrial-capitalism

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