Last Ditch

Dispatches from Denman

I spent a very lovely and cozy weekend on the hidden gem of Denman Island recently and I have some thoughts on community, right action, and values aligned movements. Denman Island is a small island community where people value independence, cooperation, and community. No community is perfect and immune from politics but you get the sense on Denman that people are always on the lookout for anyone or anything threatening their way of life. Mega developments are spurned, all residents are invited to their residents association, not just those who can afford to own property, and there is a thriving free/trade economy.

What am I thinking about?

And yet, as I sat by a warm fire reading and feeling a million miles away from headlines, it’s was hard to not be drawn back into the utter chaos and theft occurring south of the border. With the US dismantling its infrastructure, threatening allies, and endorsing ethnic cleansing, many are left wondering: where do we go from here? The far right has made no secret of their efforts to flood the zone with radical changes that slow moving courts and bureaucracy can’t keep up with. For activists and ordinary people on the ground, a sea change is taking place that boggles the mind with its sheer audacity to pilfer the state for the benefit of the rich. While I reside north of the border, Canada faces its own internal threats from the far right, in addition to the blundering imperial mess of the current US administration. Many days it feels impossible to even look, as the constant headline shifts overload my brain.

So What Can We Do?

Two authors I have been turning to for clarity on where we stand are bell hooks and Angela Y. Davis, who have both provided profound guidance for activists. Both advocate for the importance of collective action and solidarity. Activists can join or form coalitions with other groups to amplify their impact and work together towards common goals. This collective approach helps to build stronger, more resilient movements. Here are three more practical examples of how people can get involved, inspired by their advice:

Engage in Intersectional Activism:

Understand and address intersecting structures of power, such as race, gender, and class. Activists can get involved by joining or supporting organizations that focus on intersectional issues. Participate in movements that address multiple forms of oppression simultaneously, understanding that these issues are deeply intertwined.

Promote Education and Critical Thinking:

bell hooks believes in teaching as a form of activism, encouraging critical thinking and active participation. You can get involved by organizing or participating in educational workshops, community discussions, or book clubs that focus on social justice topics. These help to spread awareness and foster a culture of critical engagement. Angela Y. Davis further suggests that we educate ourselves and others about the history and current state of social justice issues. This can involve hosting public lectures, creating educational content, or simply sharing resources within our communities.

Practice Love and Solidarity:

bell hooks advocates for practicing love as a pathway to justice. We can get involved by building supportive and caring communities that prioritize mutual aid and solidarity. This could mean organizing community support networks, participating in mutual aid projects, or simply showing up for others in their struggles.

May the wisdom of those that have trodden this path before us guide us!