From the Mind of La Rosa Negra

This person has asked me to post their piece under a pseudonym, for fear of repercussions in their personal and professional life.

On Anarchism… 

“Deranged,” “violent thugs” and “radical left ANARCHISTS”. 

Anarchism. A political philosophy which rejects all forms of oppression and hierarchy. 

Anarchist. One who seeks to live without said oppression or hierarchy. 

The reality of the ideology is just that, a world removed of oppression of any kind.

In the modern era, anarchism has been given various images and cliché stereotypes that have nearly soiled the work of the historical teachings and theories. Within these misconceptions come the misunderstandings anarchists, and the world at large, are faced with today. 

In actuality, anarchism is as simple as it is complex. It’s seemingly vague definitions can lead to a number of scholarly interpretations of what it actually means to be an “anarchist”. Scholars and practitioners have debated for years whether Proudhon, Goldman or Bakunin had the right grasp of the ideology and will continue to do so until blue in the face and six in the grave. 

Despite the clutter from near-fascist world leaders, anarchism is a relatively peaceful concept to those who understand the basics behind it. The road to that peace may be paved with bullets and swords, however the end result is a world free from oppression of colonization, the state, debt and the church. 

No, anarchists are not creeping outside your windows ready to smash them and abduct your children. In most cases, anarchists won’t even be on the streets passing out literature anymore, since they have been deemed “terrorists” by the right wing. No instead, anarchists can be found tending to their gardens, holding reading circles and trying to figure out a system of community which helps and uplifts its members. 

Over the course of the past three decades, anarchism has seemingly become one of the most misunderstood political movements of the modern century.

In the 1990’s, anarchism received a “bad image” due to the supposed involvement anarchists had in demonstrations and insurrections at various political events like the World Trade Organization convention in Seattle. Anarchists are often blamed for the instigation of riots that have followed since with little evidence to prove their involvement. 

Yes there is that, and we also know anarchism from the high school senior who crudely painted “circle A’s” (the most prominent symbol of anarchism) on their binders when hormones or stress shit on their day. 

 But many who use the term “anarchist” to describe such examples of humans most likely have never read a word from a true scholar of the ideology. 

The fact of the matter is that the political philosophy behind anarchism is so ridiculously complex that not even studied anarchists can fully agree with what the idea means. 

Since the 19th century, political theorists have been building the ideas and the practices we know now. 

Those who read, study and practice “anarchism” know at least of the basic founding principle that oppression of any kind is contrary to the belief. This oppression can be as simple as a restaurant “boss” yelling at a line cook or as complex as the food industry and the disparity of wealth within it.

From the teachings of the church to the demands of the state, anarchists question the need and existence of all forms of such oppression. Religion seeks to show a person a pathway to enlightenment while mandating followers adhere to rules or guidelines. The state seeks to govern the masses in the best manner possible but often leaves behind the disenfranchised or doomed. A society for some is not a society for all. 

Anarchism seeks to expose such inequities and strives to build a system outside of what has become acceptable. 

Anarcho Pacifism and Individualist Anarchism are controversial topics accepted within anarchist circles by some groups based around more direct action. 

These two groups, at times, may feel that violence is not needed in order to achieve a life free of oppression. In fact, land and solitude are the primary focuses of many who study these aspects of the philosophy. One might equate this thinking to a portion of Emma Goldman’s life where she rejected violence for a short period, or Henry David Thoreau who spent time in near solitude writing memoirs. 

As romantic and complete as the ideas seem, they are but two pieces of the puzzle. 

 I will not dive into the various forms of anarchism too much, that is for the reader to pick up and learn. What I will continue to do is argue that anarchism is not always a pathway to destruction and chaos. In fact, anarchists may be some of the most organized and hardworking humans in the political spectrum. 

To maintain circles of secrecy and trust while building a system based on cooperation through a post 9/11 world can be challenging. Challenges include a fear of the unknown. People striving to swim upstream, against the norm – this frightens those who refuse to abandon the status quo. 

Current outside views on anarchism have lended themselves to such fear and hatred of its believers in a country where political thought and expression are supposed to be protected by the First Amendment.  

Anarchists have now become the scapegoat for right wing hunting squads to describe ne’er do wells and instigators of violence. Sure, anarchists may participate in direct action from time to time, but what political party in the history of this Republic is without sin? 

American soldiers fired upon American citizens in Taos in 1848 to quell a rebellion born of colonialism and misunderstanding. 

Democratic policies single handedly brought Central and South America to ruin and gave way for such insurrections as el Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional to gain momentum. 

… Do we really have to cover the atrocities the “Grand Ole Party” has committed in their time? 

Yet, a few “radical left ANARCHISTS” are blamed for tearing down a few pieces of concrete and metal and now we’re all to be rounded up, black bagged and erased from memory? 

Community first. Create gardens of plenty, schools of thought, free and available information and help build toward something better. These are creeds of the modern anarchist. If they can say that not all cops are bad, then you can surely say that not all anarchists are deserving of the gallows pole. 

I feel that to extend this conversation without a retort would be rude and pointless so I will end this rant with a single thought for you, the reader: a better world is possible, will you work for or against it? 

• La Rosa Negra, sin dios y contra los fascistas