I don't know a lot about anarchism. This is because a) I'm normal and b) not a racist. Perhaps then, I should attend this "What is Anarchism" lecture at OU on Thursday. Maybe it will open my mind to the possibilities of a stateless society and / or motivate me to join a white supremacy motorcycle gang.
From the OU Daily:
An anarchist writer and affiliate of the Center for a Stateless Society will speak at OU Nov. 14 as part of the Students for a Stateless Society’s “Ask an Anarchist Week.”
Charles Johnson’s lecture titled “What is Anarchism?” will teach students about the often-misunderstood views of anarchical thought. Members of Students for a Stateless Society will set up tables around campus throughout the week to discuss their political beliefs with students.
The society’s co-founder and anthropology sophomore Grayson English said “Ask an Anarchist Day” was very successful last semester in raising awareness.
“We did this last year, and people were very respectful,” English said. “People stopped to talk, we handed out literature and it was a pretty good time.”
Yeah, I'm sure people were very respectful. I don't blame them. The last kid you want to piss off on campus is the one wearing a trenchcoat and handing out flyers with black flags and anarchy symbols on them.
That being said, tell me more about your anarchy club, Mr. OU Student Who Is Enrolled At A Publicly Funded State University:
English founded the society last year with philosophy senior Jason Byas. The club meets every other Tuesday to discuss future events and share ideas in a friendly, like-minded setting, he said.
One of the common misconceptions about anarchism is that it represents chaos, English said.
In other news, one of the misconceptions about professional football is that it's a violent game. That's not true. It's actually peaceful, beautiful and totally safe.
Seriously, I don't have a problem with anyone being an anarchist, but at least own up to it. Chaos and anarchy go together like ice cream and cake, cream and sugar, and Emily and JoJo. Just look at a few definitions of anarchy from something called a "dictionary:"
• absence of government
• a state of lawlessness or political disorder due to the absence of governmental authority
• a utopian society of individuals who enjoy complete freedom without government
• absence or denial of any authority or established order
• absence of order
I don't know about you, but all of that seems pretty fucking chaotic and awful to me. It also leads to this question: If anarchy is about disorder, individualism and lack of authority, how can you even have an anarchy club? Doesn't that go against the fundamental principles that anarchy represents?
“People keep asking ‘How can we have a club if we’re anarchists?’ What people don’t understand is that anarchism isn’t against organization, only a particular kind of organization: that is, coercive organization,” English said.
When asked about the government shutdown while it was still ongoing, English laughed.
“It’s not real,” he said. “It’s just this theatrical thing. None of the functions that I hate about the state are gone.”
English noted that during the shutdown, the military was still getting paid. Congress was still getting paid. He said this type of shutdown reveals the nature of the state and how it will always protect the interests of the few, even if it has to cut off all other functions.
“Isn’t it great, living in anarchy?” he said.
Would this be a good time to point out, once again, that this kid is getting a degree in anthropology from a publicly funded institution? He's probably going to depend on the "unreal," "theatrical" state he wants to rise up against to support him (either through employment or entitlements) for the rest of his life.
Anyway, I better tie this post up and clarify a few things before I find some dude wearing a V for Vendetta mask hiding in my bedroom.
1. Yes, I was stereotyping a little bit. It was all in good fun. Just because you support and promote an impractical political philosophy that's commonly associated with hate, bigotry and racism, doesn't necessarily mean that you are filled with or support hate, bigotry and racism. There's a slight chance you could be normal.
2. Seriously, I really was just joking around. Don't come after me. Down with system! Government sucks! Go Sex Pistols! Anarchy rules, bitches.
