Popular education

This is an indirect response to a post on spread the infestation called “you HAVE to read this.” A comment I left under the article will be the basis for this blog.

Allot of leftists have an over the top obsession with reading the right books and think Ming the right theory. Allot of leftists respond to this by taking the other tact, theory is dumb just organize. I disagree with both lines and propose a dialectical unity (I always wanted to say that, lol).

Learning is a social process; ie it takes place not just in the minds of one individual, but in mans world. It occurs between people. I enjoy Game of Thrones, but I learn about the show as much from watching it as from taking about it. After each episode me and some friends pick apart the story to understand it.

Every revolutionary movement had a history of popular education behind it. The Cuban workers had a tradition of the literate workers read to the others while they worked. The workers talked about the litetature they had heard after work. During the Russian revolution workers and soldiers hunted for any news they could find. Most couldn’t read but those that could made sure everyone new what each parties position on everything. The CNT ran workers education programs modern schools.

People read books less than they used to. I say books because people read more overall now. We need to deal with that. We need to find ways to reach out to people who want to learn. We need to find ways to engage people in self education. Not as isolated individuals, but as social beings. One way we can do it is via book clubs. If your in an area with some form of social movement recorded that it start a book club. If you don’t try joining a local one and recommend radical books, not works of theory but stories with radical themes. Like Frankenstein or The Famished Road. Another way is to start a news discussion group each week one person brings a current event to discuss. This way people can begin to study the work and see new things. Try bringing stories that don’t get coverage in the mainstream media. Like a Solnet action or the recent struggle against police murder in Abiquiu. Try tying news to what people can do in there every day lives. As people see what they can do as a collective they can become more confident.

the important thing is that people learn socially, especially if this education gives them tools to change the world

Readings on the 60s

My history teacher is going to spend a long time on the 60s. I am therefore trying to read one book on every 60’s movement. I first read Hillbilly Nationalists, it is a great book, and once I get my copy back I’m gonna review it. The next book I’m reading is Black Against Empire, which I own. I’m going to read and try to review each chapter.

Aristocratic communism

Ancaps often say they think the Hobbits are anarchistic. It is telling that this utopia was written by an old money aristocrat, about his childhood home. This shows the kind of society they envision. A beneficent aristocracy that overseas a prosperous servant class. It is communist in a certain sense. It bears an eery similarity to the concept of Lebenstruam the post war world of hitlers feverish Wagnerian fantasy. It is the mad dream of a small businessmen. That class without a future, who rule a small feudal hold but cannot compete with the large capitalist. They want to turn back the clock to the shire, or escape to New Hampshire This is only in countries like Britain with a landed gentry, who Allie with the petite bourgeoise in reaction.

Homework

it is 7:03 rite now. I have a math assignment due 2morrow. If i don’t do well in math class I’ll be sent to remedial math. I’m also pretty tired and getting worse. I should get started in stead I’m typing a blog on homework and marxism:

 

homework serves to enforce class discipline. It brings work home. Forcing the student to manage time at home. It is a means of stopping play by reminding of work. No socialist teacher can assign it and be a socialist.

 

The need for liberty

Socialism is a movement that must be founded in the cause of liberty. Capitalism’s defenders couch much of their rhetoric in freedom, even though there ideas would destroy it. The freedom of a homeless person is not true freedom, and socialism calls for his/her liberation. We call for the free availability of housing. A worker is not free, he lives under a dictator who can throw him into poverty at anytime. In effect his is in a dictatorship for the majority of his waking life. Socialism calls for his liberation, giving him democratic control of production. Poverty is the greatest enemy of freedom, and socialism ends it.