Publish to Newswire
Add an EventFrom the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Review of Book Fair Against Warfare
A somewhat dissapointing Book Fair - but good energy amgonst the anti-war activists
The Book Fair against Warfare at the New College of California was somewhat dissapointing and yet it was good to see anti-war activists energitically engaged in this movement.
The fair was organized by Haymarket Books as a benefit; when I first heard of the name I thought that this was a benefit for an Anarchist book vendor/publisher. However, to my somewhat dissapointment - the Haymarket Book table was filled with Marx/Engles and Socialst Review magazines.
Although, they did have many other books about important issues such as Palestine, 9/11, anti-war etc.
While I have read Marx, and Engles, and appreciate their thought, and explanation of the workings of Capitalism, I find a whole table full of their works to be a bit too much - and of questionable worth, given that they are a product of their times - and their thinking is so influenced by European philosophy of that era.
But regardless of their relative importance, perhaps more room could have been given to the wonderful writings that are now emerging regarding Global Capitalism from the "third world" from a perspective rooted in a struggle for justice.
AK press was also there - I was hoping that I would see some new works related to current Anarchist issues especially regarding a renewed interests in Anarchism by students, and especially white subarbian living high schoolers. Missing also was works regarding human nature - and it seems that writings of Anarchists have not built on the wonderful works of Peter Kroptkin's mutual aid. While Anarchist orgnaizing issues are important for movement building, just as important and critical is the need for approaching an understanding of human nature. It is in this area, that Anarchists have so much more to offer than the mechanical and linear historical view that Marxists often engage in.
I attended the How to Build an Anti-War Movement panel. Here too, I ended up being dissapointed :-( .
The buzz word I over heard in coversations amongst the activists was the need to build a "democratic movement" - and I was hoping that this would be a focus of the panel, or at least different ideas would be presented on "how to build...." Instead the panel offered their individual perspectives on four questions that was put to them by the forum moderator/organaizer. While it was interesting to hear the perspectives, it was something more suited for a teach-in rather than for a room full of activists who already have a good understanding of these perspectives.
The issue of building a democratic movement - was brought up by one or two members of the audience. I think the most important response was given by the representative of Global Exchange and SUSTAIN (a group calling for an end of US aid to Israel) : Mr. Ziad Abu-Rish. He talked about not being decided on this issue, and perhaps that there is a need for diverse and multiple groups because while there is broad agreement, there are also differences in political understanding of what an anti-war movement is to be.
Is the movement to only be a call for no war on Iraq? Or, is this to be a movement for peace and justice? Rish believed that it needs to be a movement for peace and justice - otherwise we may end up where we started - *if* root causes, and broader issues are not addressed.
The other important issue was the need for inclusion of people of color in this movement, although, he noted that there is improvement in this area.. (In my view much needs to be done in this area.)
The other panelaists basically stated that it is a good idea to have a unified democratic movement, but that there is room for all...
While the Book Fair was a good get together, bringing together activists from diverse backgrounds, and Anarchists, and Socialists - and the various anti-war coallitions... it would have been even better if 1) there had been some brand new releases that the various publishers/vendors could have released on this day - maybe even had a book release party? 2) For at least the workshop I attended it would have been a much better use of time - if there had been a focus on movement building issues - rather than a focus on views on the war, the causes etc.
Others who attended may have a different point of view, please do express them...
Thank you
This is Redwood Breeze - signing off...
The fair was organized by Haymarket Books as a benefit; when I first heard of the name I thought that this was a benefit for an Anarchist book vendor/publisher. However, to my somewhat dissapointment - the Haymarket Book table was filled with Marx/Engles and Socialst Review magazines.
Although, they did have many other books about important issues such as Palestine, 9/11, anti-war etc.
While I have read Marx, and Engles, and appreciate their thought, and explanation of the workings of Capitalism, I find a whole table full of their works to be a bit too much - and of questionable worth, given that they are a product of their times - and their thinking is so influenced by European philosophy of that era.
But regardless of their relative importance, perhaps more room could have been given to the wonderful writings that are now emerging regarding Global Capitalism from the "third world" from a perspective rooted in a struggle for justice.
AK press was also there - I was hoping that I would see some new works related to current Anarchist issues especially regarding a renewed interests in Anarchism by students, and especially white subarbian living high schoolers. Missing also was works regarding human nature - and it seems that writings of Anarchists have not built on the wonderful works of Peter Kroptkin's mutual aid. While Anarchist orgnaizing issues are important for movement building, just as important and critical is the need for approaching an understanding of human nature. It is in this area, that Anarchists have so much more to offer than the mechanical and linear historical view that Marxists often engage in.
I attended the How to Build an Anti-War Movement panel. Here too, I ended up being dissapointed :-( .
The buzz word I over heard in coversations amongst the activists was the need to build a "democratic movement" - and I was hoping that this would be a focus of the panel, or at least different ideas would be presented on "how to build...." Instead the panel offered their individual perspectives on four questions that was put to them by the forum moderator/organaizer. While it was interesting to hear the perspectives, it was something more suited for a teach-in rather than for a room full of activists who already have a good understanding of these perspectives.
The issue of building a democratic movement - was brought up by one or two members of the audience. I think the most important response was given by the representative of Global Exchange and SUSTAIN (a group calling for an end of US aid to Israel) : Mr. Ziad Abu-Rish. He talked about not being decided on this issue, and perhaps that there is a need for diverse and multiple groups because while there is broad agreement, there are also differences in political understanding of what an anti-war movement is to be.
Is the movement to only be a call for no war on Iraq? Or, is this to be a movement for peace and justice? Rish believed that it needs to be a movement for peace and justice - otherwise we may end up where we started - *if* root causes, and broader issues are not addressed.
The other important issue was the need for inclusion of people of color in this movement, although, he noted that there is improvement in this area.. (In my view much needs to be done in this area.)
The other panelaists basically stated that it is a good idea to have a unified democratic movement, but that there is room for all...
While the Book Fair was a good get together, bringing together activists from diverse backgrounds, and Anarchists, and Socialists - and the various anti-war coallitions... it would have been even better if 1) there had been some brand new releases that the various publishers/vendors could have released on this day - maybe even had a book release party? 2) For at least the workshop I attended it would have been a much better use of time - if there had been a focus on movement building issues - rather than a focus on views on the war, the causes etc.
Others who attended may have a different point of view, please do express them...
Thank you
This is Redwood Breeze - signing off...
Add Your Comments
Comments
(Hide Comments)
Haymarket Books is the press wing of the International Socialist Organization.
So it's not surprising that the fair turned out the way you described.
So it's not surprising that the fair turned out the way you described.
thank you for the info. on hay market books and ISO. That figures why there was a big banner in the main room where the panels were held that said No War - and under that it said ISO.
This banner was placed right behind the panel table to make sure none of those attending would miss it... I thought it was odd to have that there - given that the panels were from a wide variety of persuasions - and not just from the ISO. But if the whole thing was organaized by them... then that figures...
This banner was placed right behind the panel table to make sure none of those attending would miss it... I thought it was odd to have that there - given that the panels were from a wide variety of persuasions - and not just from the ISO. But if the whole thing was organaized by them... then that figures...
If I came to your book fair and punched you out, would anybody stop me or chase me down? You better not!! I would HATE for you to betray you convictions. You would have no choice but to reason with me and say you're sorry for being in my way.
War is just a racket. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of people. Only a small inside group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the masses.
I believe in adequate defense at the coastline and nothing else. If a nation comes over here to fight, then we'll fight. The trouble with America is that when the dollar only earns 6 percent over here, then it gets restless and goes overseas to get 100 percent. Then the flag follows the dollar and the soldiers follow the flag.
http://www.fas.org/man/smedley.htm
I believe in adequate defense at the coastline and nothing else. If a nation comes over here to fight, then we'll fight. The trouble with America is that when the dollar only earns 6 percent over here, then it gets restless and goes overseas to get 100 percent. Then the flag follows the dollar and the soldiers follow the flag.
http://www.fas.org/man/smedley.htm
LET’S ROUT THE EVIL-DOERS, AMERICA!
Former United States Major General Smedley Butler had this to say to clowns like you "One Tough Marine":
“War is just a racket. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of people. Only a small inside group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the masses.
There isn’t a trick in the racketeering bag that the military gang is blind to. It has its “finger men” to point out enemies, it’s “muscle men” to destroy enemies, it’s “brain men” to plan war preparations, and a “big boss” super-nationalistic-capitalism.
It may be seem odd for me, a military man, to adopt such comparisons. Truthfulness compels me to. I spent thirty three years and four months in active military service as a member of this countries most agile military force, the Marine Corps. I served in all commissioned ranks from 2nd Lieutenant to Major-General. And during that period, I spent most of my time being a high-class muscle-man for Big Business, for Wall Street, and the Bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism.
I suspected I was just part of a racket at the time. Now I am sure of it. Like all the members of the military profession, I never had a thought of my own until I left the service. My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of higher-ups. This is typical with everyone in the military service.
I helped make Mexico, especially Tampico, safe for oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank Boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. The record of racketeering is long. I helped purify Nicaragua for the international banking house of Brown Brothers in 1909-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for American sugar interests in 1916. In China I helped to see to it that Standard Oil went its way unmolested.
During those years I had, as the boys in the back room would say, a swell racket. Looking back on it, I feel that I could have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated in three continents.”
Former United States Major General Smedley Butler had this to say to clowns like you "One Tough Marine":
“War is just a racket. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of people. Only a small inside group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the masses.
There isn’t a trick in the racketeering bag that the military gang is blind to. It has its “finger men” to point out enemies, it’s “muscle men” to destroy enemies, it’s “brain men” to plan war preparations, and a “big boss” super-nationalistic-capitalism.
It may be seem odd for me, a military man, to adopt such comparisons. Truthfulness compels me to. I spent thirty three years and four months in active military service as a member of this countries most agile military force, the Marine Corps. I served in all commissioned ranks from 2nd Lieutenant to Major-General. And during that period, I spent most of my time being a high-class muscle-man for Big Business, for Wall Street, and the Bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism.
I suspected I was just part of a racket at the time. Now I am sure of it. Like all the members of the military profession, I never had a thought of my own until I left the service. My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of higher-ups. This is typical with everyone in the military service.
I helped make Mexico, especially Tampico, safe for oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank Boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. The record of racketeering is long. I helped purify Nicaragua for the international banking house of Brown Brothers in 1909-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for American sugar interests in 1916. In China I helped to see to it that Standard Oil went its way unmolested.
During those years I had, as the boys in the back room would say, a swell racket. Looking back on it, I feel that I could have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated in three continents.”
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Donate
$330.00 donated
in the past month
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network