NAVIGATION BAR:
First of I do call myself CHICANO…. yes Chicano, not Latino, or Hispanic. But I'm not interested in some sort of nationalist means to liberation, which I feel is a contradiction in of itself. ¿Como chingados vamos estar libre con el creacion de un nuevo "nacion"? I not only think, but feel, and know that seeking a sort of nationalistic liberation will only lead to more oppression. The State is a repressive and oppressive part of our present society, and will always be a form of oppression even if it is controlled by the so-called "Gente" or "Raza." I really feel the need to break out of this way of thinking. It seems that it is true: the oppressed internalize the oppressor's logic. The State, authority, and all oppressive hierarchies are tools of the oppressor and not tools for liberation. Even the best intentioned authorities oppress those under them by the nature of their status. There is no high without a low. Why do we want to struggle just to recreate a new society with darker faces in power? A rich Chicano, is still a rich asshole. The nature of capitalism creates a persons wealth based on the exploitation of others. I don't want to substitute the system of "white power" in this country with "brown power." Why would one want to become a new oppressor?
But I know I will be called a vendido for putting forth such ideas since they sound too anarchistic, well guess what, sí soy Anarquista or better put ¡CHICANARQUISTA! But I do know where I come from, and recognize the very specific place we have inhabited in our communities, histories, and struggles in over the past 500 years. Why would having an "Anarchistic" outlook on our present situation be seen as being a vendido. I know for the most part the Anarchist movement is really white, and has a tendency of being devoid of any culture or dare I say any present significance to the Chican@ community. But personally it's the only society que yo quiero vivir en. First of all most think of anarchy being chaos, or algo por los punkeros. But this isn't true at all. Anarchism could also be said to be: Libertarian Communism. This better states what anarchists want, and work for. And anarchism isn't just a gringo philosophy at all. It can be found in the agrarian type-anarchism employed by the original Zapatistas, or more explicitly Ricardo Flores Magon whom coined the term "Tierra Y Libertad" which Zapata later used to describe his struggles end. Although the "official" birth of what is commonly known as anarchism does have European roots it is not exclusive to this area. It can also be found in the Taoism from ancient China, amongst some indigenous tribes of so-called "North & South America," the many primitive "societies" that primitivist point to, and many other undocumented events throughout his-story. But of course there is a void when you point to Chicano(rather than Mexican) Anarchists in large events. This is where I hope to not just sit back and wait for history to roll and by, and me say "well there hasn't been any big Chicano Anarchists so I'm just gonna do nothing amongst chicanos." This would be absolutely pendejo of me. Don't let history control you, but take hold of history, or better yet, who the fuck cares if your name doesn't get put up in lights? That wouldn't very anarchistic now would it? I'm not interested in fame, but in a Social Revolution. Also I want to make sure that although I use the term anarchist, I'm not interested in "dogmatic" rigidity to this term. I'm not interested in ideologys because i feel they turn into a monster of themselves over time. Also I like to incorporate some thoughts of Marxist thought into my ideas, I guess it's because of the influence Situationism has on me. I just like to use the term "anarchist" to make it easier to say what I'm about.....although sometimes I like to stay really far away from it. It all depends on my mood(and I'm really moody) Humyns cannot be controlled by definitions or else as a person seeking liberation you will yourself become a mirror of your "enemy". As Nietzsche said "one must be careful when fighting monsters, else you may become one yourself"(or something like that).
¿¡¿Y que chingados es el anarquismo?!? Well like I said it could be also called libertarian socialism or communism. I'll put a definition that Lorenzo Komba Ervin, a black anarchist, definition of what anarchists want: "Anarchists are social revolutionaries who seek a stateless, classless, voluntary, cooperative federation of decentralized communities based upon social ownership, individual liberty and autonomous self-management of social and economic life." To me, personally, that basically sums it up. Of course there a whole lot more nuances and critiques of this basic definition, which I could go on and on and on about, but I feel it will serve no real purpose here.
A Note on Nationalism: I want to make sure to make sure that folks understand that I know why people are drawn to Nationalism and the empowerment that can be found in it to escape the Eurocentrism that is shoved down our throats. To me pride in where I come from(and am going) without shame is a source of empowerment, when everything around you can tell you are subpar because of where your born, to the food you eat, the school you went to, the way you look, the clothes you wear the language you speak, or because you don't speak perfect english(as i've heard certain local anarchists make fun of another comrade because he spoke 'broken' english, can you say WHITE SUPREMACIST?). When I say I'm not ashamed of being Chicano and that I'm proud of where I'm from it is a result of Chicano Nationalists(60's-70's) working for a positive image of who I am. If it wasn't for them most likely many Chican@s would still have a negative image of themselves. So maybe everything is not black & white(shock, shock, horror, horror).
Links to other sites I like:
Ricardo Flores Magon - A good resource on this seldom heard person who played a large role in the Mexican Revolution. A revolutionary Mexican Anarchist whom lived in a LA for a while as well while in exile. Learn more about this kick ass revolutionary!
Mexico's Indymedia site. Lot's of news from a place that doesn't get much attention just because it's Mexico(besides Chiapas).
To Contact me(¡NoChe!-Yohualli) email me at:YuppiesNo@earthlink.net
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