Miscalculating Revolutionaries

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Ok party people. This is a concept that does more than just grind my gears. This shit makes my gears break and shoot out, springs and all (you know cartoon style). What Im talking about is the backward revolutionaries, disjunctive demagogues, or idiotic ideologues. You may be asking yourself; What the hell are you talking about pete? Im talking about these catz out in the world who think they are revolutionary minds, who think that their ideal picture of the world is the only option for humankind, who praise their own open-mindedness whilst spouting ignorant and racism rhetoric. You know who Im talking about. Theyre the kids who go on hunger strike to fight sweatshop labour, and print their revolutionary ideologies on hanes brand t-shirts. They're the kids that demonize the government for its over taxation with-out equal representation, and claim that illegal immigrants are a drain on the economy. The kids who choose to be vegetarian and vilify those who choose to eat meat.

I have two messages I want to get across with this post.

For you revolutionaries: The world isnt going to become a better place when you still think youre better then some. There is no room for ego in a global community. It is our difference and variation that makes the world a beautiful place and that diversity must be reflected in the ideal community that you have planned for the future. Try and remain focused on the ultimate enemy of the people: i.e. the Halliburton, Bechtel, etc corporations and the people running them. They are the true enemy and the people you should be directing your overflowing aggression and hostilities towards (cause most of you are way too hostileIts going to kill you one day). They are the only they enemy we should be concerned about. They have othered themselves apart from society by taking all the wealth from the people that produced it. Quit bickering amongst your brothers and sisters who are experiencing their own kind of oppression, just like you are. It makes no sense to denigrate our brothers and sisters from Mexico, Brazil, Germany, China, Russia, Iran or where ever you think that bad guys come from. While we are all cat fighting over the tiny differences we have, they are getting fatter, more secure and confident that there is nothing standing in their way.

For those who might not consider themselves revolutionary: There are two general schools of thought for social upheaval. Fast revolution and slow reform. There is few examples where the former can be accomplished with-out a bloody coup (our brothers and sisters in Cochabamba almost had a bloodless coup that effectively ousted Bechtel from Bolivia Si Se Puede!!). For most of us then, the answer lies in the latter, slow reform. This is a process that can include and must include everyone. That means that you can be revolutionary!! Here is a short list of the many ways you can live a revolutionary life on a daily basis:

1) Culture and society are fueled by words. Through words we can frame our thoughts and position ourselves with-in the global community. So stop saying thats so gay (unless you really mean that its homosexual), distinguishing little white lies (because for some reason white is more acceptable then other lies) as well as words like black listed, black balled, black mailed or black market. Stop saying they when youre referring to your fellow brothers and sisters, because we are less they then you think.

2) Stop perpetuating stereotypes that have no purpose in creating a better society. What is the point of saying something like Most Irish people are heavy drinkers? There is no valid point to statements like this and they only serve to further distinguish us from our fellow people.

3) While there are many global abuses like sweatshop and child labour. Its hard to see how we as individuals can make a difference against such protected human rights violations (or crimes against humanity in my mind). But believe me, if enough people make little changes, like not shopping at the Gap or Nike, those little grains start to add up and create something bigger then anyone participating could imagine.

Above all my message is this: we (and I mean all peoples and life forms that share a balance on this world) are the creators of our own destiny. There will most likely always be violence and hate in this world (some claim it is instinctual or natural), but we can make concerted effort to reduce the amount of hate and violence we perpetuate unto our brothers and sisters. MLK Jr. said In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. Who are really your friends and who are really your enemies?

Some might be thinking: Well Peter, arent you spewing your own revolutionary rhetoric too, claiming that this version of revolution is the right one? The difference is that these are not my ideas. The themes and theories expressed above are collected from minds through-out the last two-hundred years of humankind and beyond. If equality is your goal, then the process will look similar, but not exclusive to what I have repeated here. There will most likely be obstacles in our path that will come up unexpectedly, as well as aspects that will have to be changed as we start to move towards a more inclusive society.

But like always, dont believe my words. Find out for yourself and think critically about what you are hearing, but more importantly, what youre not hearing.

From South Central Boulder Colorado, this is Peter Wilson signing off ... for now.