Taking positive actions seems to be more of a culturally construed interpretation then action that is technically positive…The exploitation that fuels rebellion against consumerism, begs the question , what exactly are we really fighting against?
Some of the disturbing racist behaviour expressed at climate camp this year has brought to light the issue of what we are really campaigning for?
The majority of activists when faced with police confrontation, instantly snapped into aggressive mode , jumping around like baboons in a cage , hurling abuse and judgments.
Is this not what we are campaigning against? The discrimination and abuse that we have received from the police? Ofcourse there are many valid reasons why many of the individuals were so reactive , sensitised to the discrimination and abuse of the police. But as an observer , first time at climate camp, it was very difficult to distinguish between the aggressive /oppressive actions of the police and the activists. In fact the only true difference was that one group stood in black with “her majesties” logo and the other group stood in black with no logo, the only thing that separated them was a line of wire.
There was no difference in attitude whatsoever .
Entertainment for the evening came in the form of very loud techno , played until 4am. That ,paired with the large amount of Strong bow and tobacco, forced the question , are we trying to make the climate a better place for humanity or for our own hedonistic ends? It seems like a joke to point the finger at “capitalists” and “blacks” when we are still major consumers of British American Tobacco and Alcohol. Two products that are probably the most unethical products we can buy (machine guns aside).
But there is always hope , in the mundane world it might be in the musicians den , an open mike a guitar and we have a revolution. But not this time. Activists danced to chants of “lets eat all fat Americans, lets send them to Kenya to be eaten!” , followed by a roaring round of applause once again triggered another question, is this climate camp or Nazi camp?
The ‘open mic’ proceeded to descend into what sounded more like a BNP party political broadcast then an intelligent creative process of an artist. It was quite a climax to the general air of racial prejudice
That seems to hinder the overall process of making a real change for the good of the planet , not just a selected race of people.
Green strategies! for the sake of preserving the culture or increasing the profit margin of selected groups?
Indigenous campaigns?!! more like merchandising campaigns, profit margins, and divide and rule tactics. What about a campaign for humanity we do all bleed the same colour don’t we, (Blue bloods aside of course)!?
Are we for the planet or for ourselves? Lets look at the climate of our minds , then our collective minds and perhaps then , we can have the authority to talk about making a positive change for the planet.
Whatever the response to this post may be , know that this planet will never be a better place with ignorance and fascism behind the driving wheel!
The overt racism was the climax of this camp, the climate created was not one that Africans or Americans would be welcome in.
Comments
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Ridiculous
13.08.2008 21:54
Techno music to 4am?!! BNP political broadcasts?!!
What a joke you are
an
um...
13.08.2008 22:08
campee
hmm, i beg to differ
13.08.2008 22:24
yes, there was a black bloc, and also a very multi-coloured bloc, of people preventing police from entering the site and raiding more tents, people and necessary equipment as they had done earlier in the week. these people, many of whom have never felt the need to confront the violence and intimidation of the police before, showed real bravery and kept their heads in the face of brute force and a no negotiation attitude.
as a person of colour i am interested to know specific examples that allow the writer to present a version of a racist camp. the only racism i experienced was from the police. yes, there were a few patronising and ignorant comments made by a very small minority of people - but they constituted a much smaller minority than i generally experience on a day to day level in the outside world.
so pray tell, did you challenge the racist comments/opinions/assumptions while you were at the camp....do you do this outside of the camp?
in contrast, i was heartened by the vast number of conversations and workshops which challenged the ways in which the green movement could unknowingly accept with open arms a version of an eco-fascist state. specific workshops on black activism, climate change and immigration, and solidarity building with people in places such as the niger delta were well scheduled, well attended, and well discussed over food (and yeah the occasional beer and spliff...i don't think the movement ever professed to being tea-total and nor does this distract from the work that people do, every day, not just during that week).
i'm not meaning to be antagonistic, and may be making assumptions that you yourself are not a person of colour. but as i said at the top - i couldn't disagree more...
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