Thx, Max. Yeah that makes lots of sense. I have similar view as far as building community, though with my lifestyle its more so via the arts and with personal choices, for example, when visiting various towns near rivers, harbors, etc. i make a point to go near the water and commune with/pray for the water and "all the relations" and that also helps me stay centered because then a trip to the store is not just a trip to the store, plus i often get ideas for writings and such like. As far as more specific activism, obviously those on the front lines have no choice but to organize and make direct actions, and others, seems like you, choose to be pro-active with being on front lines yet not restricted to that, which is admirable. So in general, yeah agree that the building of community and networks is essential, and with more than humans.
I take politics to mean how we make decisions about the society that we live in and the way we organize our lives. In that sense, politics, in my definition, is much broader than it is defined in the United States today, commonly. So when I say wield political power, I'm not talking about building an political machine to try and defeat certain politicians in the electoral realm. That said, I certainly don't think elections are entirely useless. At certain times they can be incredibly important. I don't look at elections as a likely battleground for revolutionary change, but more of as a at best defensive battleground that can help protect against the worst excesses of the political elites.
In my definition, as I was referring to it in this article, building political power involves grassroots community organizing to bring together radical cultures of resistance into concrete organizations and for those organizations to take action and maneuver strategically to defend the planet and rebuild just human communities. This involves necessarily a huge range of specific strategies and tactics, but at a high level that's what I'm talking about. Does that make sense to you? What's your perspective?
FYI, I added an additional tip to this list (it's the second to last, #13) to reflect another important piece I forgot to include in the first version.
Thx, Max. Yeah that makes lots of sense. I have similar view as far as building community, though with my lifestyle its more so via the arts and with personal choices, for example, when visiting various towns near rivers, harbors, etc. i make a point to go near the water and commune with/pray for the water and "all the relations" and that also helps me stay centered because then a trip to the store is not just a trip to the store, plus i often get ideas for writings and such like. As far as more specific activism, obviously those on the front lines have no choice but to organize and make direct actions, and others, seems like you, choose to be pro-active with being on front lines yet not restricted to that, which is admirable. So in general, yeah agree that the building of community and networks is essential, and with more than humans.
A helpful list for many people. One question, Max, can you say a little more of what you mean by "wield political power"?
Sure, Mankh.
I take politics to mean how we make decisions about the society that we live in and the way we organize our lives. In that sense, politics, in my definition, is much broader than it is defined in the United States today, commonly. So when I say wield political power, I'm not talking about building an political machine to try and defeat certain politicians in the electoral realm. That said, I certainly don't think elections are entirely useless. At certain times they can be incredibly important. I don't look at elections as a likely battleground for revolutionary change, but more of as a at best defensive battleground that can help protect against the worst excesses of the political elites.
In my definition, as I was referring to it in this article, building political power involves grassroots community organizing to bring together radical cultures of resistance into concrete organizations and for those organizations to take action and maneuver strategically to defend the planet and rebuild just human communities. This involves necessarily a huge range of specific strategies and tactics, but at a high level that's what I'm talking about. Does that make sense to you? What's your perspective?
very clear and concise! ... fits my experience exactly!!
🙏🏼
"This is my work, and I invite you to join me in it."
joined🌱
Wonderful, Katharine!
I've now added a second bonus tip (now #14) to bring the total to 15 tips.
FYI, I added an additional tip to this list (it's the second to last, #13) to reflect another important piece I forgot to include in the first version.