I
invite all allies to act now to stop the war and end
imperialism. Many of us have been discussing and organizing online and
offline for a long time.
When
the second invasion of Iraq began I held educational meetings at my
home and the homes of friends just to get the word out about the lies that
are now exposed. Have any of these education efforts helped? Some have helped.
The support for the war in this country is at an all-time low.
However,
this makes no difference to the real power behind the governmental thrones --
the bankers, the oil mongers and the bomb makers and their media outlets. These
guys and their subsidiary armies are making trillions in profits from their
terror wars. Their subsidiaries include the prison and police industries here
in the USA -- one of the biggest and few growth industries left in the country.
We
must stop collaborating with the invader occupiers by denying the depth of the
deceptions simultaneously sown by the government, media and academies. If we,
the people kick the oppressor out over here the people of the Middle East could
would kick the invader and collaborators out over there!
The
educational site of struggle is primary. Some of us who have been studying may
be wearying of the information about what is happening but repetition and
mirroring are critical to the educational process. By telling the truths
of the people�s oppression there and connecting these truths to the people�s
oppression here, we become a people who resist the lies.
Many
accuse me of preaching to the choir, yet the programming here in the USA is so
intense that without hearing and being inspired and confirmed by realities of
the war and against the lies is a daily site of struggle. We need the choir to
inspire and remind us over and again that we are not insane and alone in our
understanding of the world. In fact, where are those new resistance songs, arts
and letters we need?
Liberals
in general have recommended a polite or inviting education about the truth
of imperialism to convince the American public that they should not support the
war machine. They urge a more inviting educational style than my usual
one. Yet, I would defend all educational
styles including the �hit em over the head with the truth� style. I know
the power of the �frontal attack� educational model and the impact it had on my
own thinking and understanding of imperialism and oppression. What I�m saying
here is that which offends and is viewed as so �extreme� may be just the thing
that moves people. Of course, what people in the USA think is extreme may
be that which the rest of the world already knows because they have been
invaded and occupied by the imperialists for centuries. They know that the �lifestyle�
of the USA and Europe is off the backs and lands of the people. At times the
informative voice in the USA may sound extreme because the programming is so
dense with lies.
This
brings me to my topic of reform, resistance and revolution. Many people in
the USA are involved in reform efforts and still believe the system can be
fixed. Those who know me know I no longer believe in reform. I will support any and all effort towards
fundamental change as long as those efforts are not sponsored by the
CIA complex. A third political party that unites liberals and moderates on
the issues would be the most practical solution now for reform efforts. The
Democrats and Republicans are bought and paid for. A third party in the USA
could emerge by using local organizing and the Internet to push a campaign
forward. However, it will take more than tired ass old Ralph Nadar to be
the front man. The Green Party is probably most viable in this regard. Yet,
they too are walking the sell out line for power in Europe and the USA.
A
resistance movement (both above and underground) in the USA is being built from
the ground up as we have seen the recent ground swell of immigrants rising up
in this country. Resistance is fertile and can happen in a heart beat.
Resistance can also fall apart in a
heartbeat. Organization must come from below at the local levels which are
networked nationally to existing groups. There are organizations in
the USA that are anti-imperialist and anti-fascist working to stop
the war and end imperialism above ground in this country. Those
interested in building a resistance underground must do that offline all the
time. The Che and Chavez approach could work here with the people so as to
claim this land is your land for the first time in
solidarity across race with an emphasis on the poor, the working class and the
declining middle class. Resistance will be effective when we are clear about
our common goals, organization, and action plans as opposed to dictating ideology.
By respecting each other�s ideologies and religions while agreeing on
common goals and taking action, instead of holding endless meetings, the
resistance could be fertile and grow! The time has definitely come today.
Presently,
both in Iraq and in the USA revolutionary movements and revolutionaries must
employ all means necessary as the evil greedy elite and their hand job
governments and media will not stop their killing, torture and
plunder as history shows. Although revolutionaries in the
USA must support anti-imperialist resistance movements in Iraq and around
the world, the emphasis must be here in the USA. If we can stop the war machine
and imperialism here that will give folks around the world a stronger
force of resistance there. But be advised, the people
of the world will do it with or without the support of
anti-imperialists in the USA. The people of those countries know better than
anyone in the USA what they must do to kick out the
invader-occupier and his collaborators. Revolutionary work is also
above ground and underground, it is overt and covert, subversive and
willing to work outside the box, including this Internet box. Clearly a
networked solidarity on these efforts must be forth coming on all fronts.
The
actual steps to organizing can be found in many places, from theoretical texts,
manuals on guerilla and urban warfare to activist organizing models and
anarchist action strategies. Start by organizing a small group in any of the
above categories. Be clear in the aims and goals and with other groups with
which to hook up for actions sponsored locally and nationally. Practice what
you preach every day. Be smart, treat
each other with dignity and respect but know that with all success comes
infiltration so be mindful and watchful. Know and understand the risks so the
consequences come as no surprise.
The
major sites for reform, revolution and resistance are these: economic systems
and institutions, the military and police techno-complex, the government, the
media and arts, educational institutions, agri-businesses and food production
sites, religious institutions and educational institutions. Many of us work in
these systems, change takes action.
All
of us can take more risks to speak out and educate ourselves and each other
more rigorously. Many of us have people right in our families and work places
who are ignorant. Give them the information in as many ways possible. The
repetition and mirroring of conformity has worked us over to make us as stupid
as we have been in the USA. We must employ real education to deprogram
ourselves, our families and friends while simultaneously inspiring our
communities and ending our isolation. Ending the war and ending imperialism is
possible, the question is what will we actually do to make it happen?
Dr. June
Scorza Terpstra is on the faculty of Northeastern Illinois University. Her
website is http://juneterpstra.com.