,9TRODUCTION 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,H>I ,ALLURI 

,AU?OR 3 ,C>LA ,B]GMAN 

,AU?OR 3 ,NICK ,MONTGOM]Y 

,TEXT 3 

,9TRODUCTION 

,!RE >E NO NEW IDEAS4 ,!RE >E ONLY NEW WAYS ( MAK+ !M FELT4 

--,AUDRE ,LORDE.<#a.> 

,PEOPLE :O TALK AB\T REVOLUTION & CLASS /RUGGLE )\T REF]R+ EXPLICITLY TO EV]YDAY LIFE1 )\T UND]/&+ :AT IS SUBV]SIVE AB\T LOVE & :AT IS POSITIVE 9 ! REFUSAL ( CON/RA9TS--SU* PEOPLE HAVE A CORPSE 9 !IR M\?4 

--,RA\L ,VANEIGEM.<#b.> 

,DO NOT ?9K ?AT ONE HAS TO BE SAD 9 ORD] TO BE A MILITANT1 EV5 ?\< ! ?+ ONE IS FI<T+ IS ABOM9ABLE4 

--,MI*EL ,F\CAULT.<#c.> 

,I 

,?IS BOOK IS AN ATTEMPT TO AMPLIFY SOME QUIET CONV]SATIONS ?AT HAVE BE5 HAPP5+ = A LONG TIME1 AB\T ! CONNECTIONS BETWE5 RESI/+ & ?RIV+1 AB\T H[ WE RELATE TO EA* O!R 9 RADICAL MOVEM5TS TODAY1 & AB\T SOME ( ! B>RI]S TO COLLECTIVE TRANS=MATION4 

,!RE IS SOME?+ ?AT CIRCULATES 9 MANY RADICAL MOVEM5TS & SPACES1 DRA9+ AWAY !IR TRANS=MATIVE POT5TIAL4 ,ANYONE :O HAS FREQU5T$ !SE SPACES HAS FELT IT4 ,MANY 79CLUD+ US7 HAVE ACTIVELY P>TICIPAT$ 9 IT1 SPREAD IT1 & BE5 HURT BY IT4 ,IT NURTURES RIGIDITY1 MI/RU/1 & ANXIETY PRECISELY :]E WE >E SUPPOS$ TO FEEL MO/ ALIVE4 ,IT COMPELS US TO SE>* \RSELVES & O!RS RU?LESSLY = FLAWS & 9CONSI/5CIES4 ,IT CRU%ES EXP]IM5TATION & CURIOSITY4 ,IT IS HO/ILE TO DIFF]5CE1 COMPLEXITY1 & NUANCE4 ,OR IT IS ! MO/ COMPLEX1 ! MO/ NUANC$1 & EV]YONE ELSE IS SIMPLI/IC & /UPID4 ,RADICALISM BECOMES AN IDEAL & EV]YONE BECOMES DEFICI5T 9 COMP>ISON4 

,! ANXI\S PO/UR+1 ! VIGILANT SE>* = MI/AKES & LIMITATIONS1 ! HO/ILITY ?AT CRU%ES A HESITANT NEW IDEA1 ! WAY ?AT CRITIQUE BECOMES A REFLEX1 ! S5SE ?AT ?+S >E URG5T YET PO9TLESS1 ! CIRCULATION ( ! LATE/ >TICLE TE>+ AP>T BAD HABITS & BEHAVIORS1 ! WAY %AM+ O!RS BECOMES COM=TABLE1 ! CEASELESS G5]ATION ( NECESSITIES & DUTIES1 ! S5SE ( FEEL+ GUILTY AB\T ONE'S [N FE> & LONEL9ESS1 ! CLA% ( POLITICAL VIEWS ?AT REQUIRES A W9N] & A LOS]1 ! P]=MANCE ( ANTI-OPPRESSIVE LANGUAGE1 ! WAY ?AT SOME />E AT ! FLOOR OR LOOK AT ! DOOR4 ,WE KN[ !SE T5D5CIES1 9TIMATELY4 ,WE HAVE SE5 !M CIRCULAT+1 & FELT !M PASS ?R\< US4 

,:5 WE BEGAN TALK+ ) FRI5DS AB\T ?IS1 !RE W]E IMM$IATE HEAD NODS1 & SOMETIMES EXCIT$ ]UPTIONS--0,Y,E,S6 ,F9ALLY SOMEONE IS GO+ TO TALK AB\T ?IS PUBLICLY60 ,NO ONE KNEW EXACTLY :AT IT WAS OR :]E IT CAME FROM1 BUT MANY KNEW EXACTLY :AT WE W]E TALK+ AB\T4 ,LIKE US1 !Y HAD FELT IT & P>TICIPAT$ 9 IT4 ,!Y HAD DISCUSS$ IT QUIETLY & C>EFULLY ) PEOPLE !Y TRU/$4 ,BUT IT WAS H>D TO UNPACK1 = A :OLE BUN* ( REASONS4 ,TO COMPLA9 OR CRITICIZE IT CAME ) ! RISK ( BE+ ATTACK$1 %AM$1 OR CA/ \T4 ,?IS PH5OM5ON IS DIFFICULT TO TALK AB\T BECAUSE IT PRES5TS ITSELF AS ! MO/ RADICAL1 ! MO/ ANTI-OPPRESSIVE1 ! MO/ MILITANT4 ,IT %APE-%IFTS & MULTIPLIES ITSELF3 SOMETIMES IT APPE>S AS ONE RIGID L9E1 AT O!R TIMES AS A PROLIF]ATION ( POSITIONS1 >RAY$ AGA9/ EA* O!R4 ,H[ IS IT ?AT EXPLICITLY RADICAL1 ANTI-OPPRESSIVE1 OR ANTI-AU?ORIT>IAN SPACES--! PLACES :]E PEOPLE %\LD FEEL MO/ ALIVE & P[]FUL--CAN SOMETIMES FEEL COLD1 /IFL+1 & RIGID8 ,:AT CONTRIBUTES TO A CLIMATE 9 :I* ONE IS NEV] RADICAL 5\<1 :]E WE HAVE TO CONT9UALLY PROVE \R RADICALNESS TO O!RS8 ,:AT MAKES 9SECURITY1 DI/RU/1 ANXIETY1 GUILT1 & %AME SO P]VASIVE8 ,:]E DOES ALL ?IS COME FROM8 ,:AT IS ?IS ?+8 ,IS IT ONE ?+1 OR MANY8 ,:AT ACTIVATES IT1 /OKES IT1 & H[ CAN IT BE W>D$ (F8 

,WE >E NOT ! FIR/ TO TRY TO GET AHOLD ( ?IS PH5OM5ON4 ,IT HAS GONE BY MANY NAMES--SAD MILITANCY1 GRUMPYW>RIORCOOL1 MAN>*ISM1 PURITANISM--EA* ( :I* EMPHASIZES DIFF]5T ELEM5TS & S\RCES4 ,9 ?IS BOOK1 WE CALL IT RIGID RADICALISM4 ,\R RESE>* & EXP]I5CE LEAD US TO ?9K ?AT ITS ORIG9S >E AS DIV]SE AS ! PH5OM5ON ITSELF4 ,SOME SAY RIGID RADICALISM COMES FROM ! WAY HET]OPATRI>*Y POISONS 9TIMACY ) TRAUMA & VIOL5CE1 :ILE SEP>AT+ POLITICS FROM EV]YDAY LIFE4 ,O!RS PO9T TO ORIG9S 9 ! N>CISSI/IC & GUILT-RIDD5 9DIVIDUALISM NURTUR$ BY :IT5ESS4 ,OR IT IS ! WAY S*OOL+ REPLACES CREATIVITY & CURIOSITY ) CON=MITY & EVALUATION4 ,OR ! HUMILIATION ( A LIFE ORGANIZ$ BY CAPITALISM1 9 :I* WE >E ALL PITT$ 9 PETTY COMPETITIONS ) EA* O!R4 ,OR ! WAY CYNICISM EVOLVES FROM ATTEMPTS TO AVOID PA9 & FAILURE4 ,OR IT IS ID5TITY POLITICS FUZ$ ) NEOLIB]ALISM4 ,& ! T]ROR & ANXIETY ( A WORLD 9 CRISIS4 ,& ! WEAK5+ ( MOVEM5TS & A DECL9E 9 MILITANCY4 ,OR IT IS ! EXI/5CE ( RADICAL MILIEUS AS SU*4 ,& ! DEEP 9SECURITY NURTUR$ BY SOCIAL M$IA & ITS 9JUNCTION TO PUBLIC P]=MANCE4 ,OR IT IS MORALITY1 OR IDEOLOGY1 OR ! ,LEFT1 OR ! ,MAOI/S1 OR ! NIHILI/S1 OR ! MORALI/S1 OR ! <O/ ( ,L594 ,PROBABLY !RE IS SOME TRU? TO ALL ( !SE3 IT IS DEF9ITELY A TANGL$ WEB4 

,IT IS IMPORTANT TO SAY1 FROM ! \TSET1 ?AT WE DO NOT ?9K ! PROBLEM IS SIMPLY ANG]1 CONFLICT1 OR DIFF]5CE4 ,:5EV] PEOPLE NAME & *ALL5GE OPPRESSION & VIOL5CE1 !RE >E ALMO/ ALWAYS REACTION>IES TELL+ !M !Y >E DO+ IT WRONG1 ?AT !Y NE$ TO BE POLITE1 NICE1 REASONABLE1 PEACEFUL1 OR PATI5T4 ,WE WANT NO?+ TO DO ) ATTEMPTS TO REGULATE RESI/ANCE4 

,= ?IS REASON1 WE DO NOT BELIEVE RIGID RADICALISM CAN BE C\NT]$ BY 9V5T+ A NEW SET ( NORMS = H[ TO BEHAVE1 OR SETT+ \T A NEW IDEAL ( :AT RADICALISM %\LD BE4 ,!RE CAN BE NO 9/RUCTIONS4 ,?IS W\LD JU/ CREATE A NEW IDEAL TO MEASURE \RSELVES AGA9/4 ,IT W\LD JU/ ADD TO A LONG LI/ ( %\LDS1 DOS1 & DON'TS ?AT REACTIVATES ! PROBLEM4 ,WE HOPE TO HELP UNDO T5D5CIES T[>DS REGULATION & POLIC+1 RA!R ?AN PLAY+ 9TO !M4 

,MAYBE WE >E /OK+ RIGID RADICALISM RI<T N[1 9 WRIT+ AB\T IT4 ,SE>*+ \T ITS ROOTS & 9N] WORK+S CAN RECREATE A /IFL+ ATMOSPH]E :]E WE FEEL LIKE WE >E /UCK1 ALWAYS LACK+1 ALWAYS MESS+ UP1 ) NO ESCAPE4 ,PO9T+ TO %AME1 RIGIDITY1 GUILT1 COMPETITION1 OR ANXIETY DOES NOT MAKE !M GO AWAY1 & MI<T MAKE ?+S WORSE4 ,IT IS NOT A QUE/ION ( REVEAL+ ! FACT ?AT WE DON'T TREAT EA* O!R WELL SOMETIMES1 OR ?AT MOVEM5TS CAN TURN 9 ON !MSELVES2 WE KN[ ?IS ALREADY4 ,!SE T5D5CIES >E A PUBLIC SECRET3 WIDELY KN[N1 BUT DIFFICULT TO TALK AB\T4.<#d.> ,TRAC+ ORIG9S MI<T NOT TELL US MU* AB\T :AT TO DO H]E & N[4 ,IT IS NOT AB\T A FEW BAD APPLES1 OR A FEW BAD BEHAVIORS4 ,= US AT LEA/1 IT CANNOT BE R$UC$ TO ?OSE PEOPLE OV] !RE1 BECAUSE WE FEEL IT >ISE 9 \RSELVES AS WELL4 ,!RE IS NO WAY TO PURIFY \R MOVEM5TS ( !SE T5D5CIES1 BECAUSE ! DESIRE = PURITY IS P>T ( ! PROBLEM4 

,SO \R PROJECT IS NOT AB\T BE+ AGA9/ RIGID RADICALISM4 ,WE HAVE BECOME CONV9C$ ?AT RIGID RADICALISM CANNOT BE C\NT]$ BY CRITIQUE ALONE4 ,\R CRITIQUE & 9T]ROGATION >E A WAY ( ASK+3 H[ CAN WE BE O!RWISE8 ,:AT MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO ACTIVATE SOME?+ DIFF]5T8 ,H[ TO PROTECT ! SOME?+ DIFF]5T ONCE IT GA9S TRACTION8 ,H[ TO %>E EXP]I5CES ( PLACES & SPACES :]E SOME?+ DIFF]5T IS ALREADY TAK+ PLACE--:]E PEOPLE FEEL MORE ALIVE & CAPABLE8 

,! FIR/ /EP1 = US1 HAS BE5 TO AFFIRM ?AT WE >E ALREADY O!RWISE3 WE ALL HAVE P>TS ( \RSELVES ?AT >E DRAWN T[>DS O!R WAYS ( BE+4 ,EV]YONE HAS GLIMM]S1 AT LEA/1 ( ! WAYS ?AT FI]C5ESS CAN BE 9T]TW9$ ) K9DNESS1 & CURIOSITY ) TRANS=MATION4 ,EV]Y SPACE IS A COMPLEX ECOLOGY ( DIFF]5T T5D5CIES4 ,RIGID RADICALISM IS ALWAYS ONLY ONE T5D5CY AMONG O!RS4 ,!RE >E--& ALWAYS HAVE BE5--MANY PLACES & SPACES :]E ALT]NATIVES >E 9 FULL BLOOM4 ,BEYOND M]ELY DIAGNOS+ OR COMBAT+ RIGID RADICALISM1 WE SEEK TO AFFIRM ! MULTIPLICITY ( WAYS ?AT SPACES CAN BE O!RWISE4 

,QUE/IONS 

,?IS IS P>T ( :AT WE HAVE BE5 TALK+ AB\T ) PEOPLE3 ,:AT MAKES RADICAL SPACES & MOVEM5TS FEEL TRANS=MATIVE & CREATIVE1 RA!R ?AN DOGMATIC1 RULE-B\ND1 OR /IFL+8 ,:AT SU/A9S /RUGGLES1 SPACES1 & =MS ( LIFE :]E WE BECOME CAPABLE ( LIV+ & FI<T+ 9 NEW WAYS8 ,:AT SUPPORTS PEOPLE'S CAPACITIES TO *ALL5GE EA* O!R & UNDO DEEPLY +RA9$ HABITS1 RA!R ?AN JU/ SAY+ ! 0RI<T0 ?+ OR AVOID+ ! 0WRONG0 ?+8 ,H[ >E PEOPLE C>V+ \T RELATION%IPS BAS$ 9 TRU/1 LOVE1 & RESPONSIBILITY AMID ! VIOL5CE ?AT P]MEATES DAILY LIFE8 ,:AT SU/A9S !SE WORLDS--:AT MAKES !M ?RIVE8 

,) SO MU* DE/RUCTION 9 MOTION1 ?IS MI<T ALL S\ND NAIVE TO SOME READ]S3 :Y SPEAK ( ?RIV+ & LOVE :5 !RE >E SO MANY MASSIVE1 URG5T PROBLEMS ?AT NE$ TO BE CONFRONT$8 ,TO WRITE AB\T ! POT5TIAL ( TRU/ & C>E1 AT ?IS TIME 9 HI/ORY1 C\LD SEEM LIKE GRASP+ OPTIMI/ICALLY AT /RAWS AS ! WORLD BURNS4 ,BUT DURABLE BONDS & NEW COMPLICITIES >E NOT A REPRIEVE OR AN ESCAPE2 !Y >E ! V]Y MEANS ( UNDO+ ,EMPIRE4 

,WE USE 0,EMPIRE0 TO NAME ! ORGANIZ$ DE/RUCTION UND] :I* WE LIVE4 ,?R\< ITS ATTEMPT TO R5D] EV]Y?+ PR(ITABLE & CONTROLLABLE1 ,EMPIRE ADM9I/]S A W> ) O!R =MS ( LIFE4 ,! RHY?MS IT IMPOSES >E AT ONCE ABSORPTIVE & ISOLAT+4 ,EV5 :5 ?IS W> TAKES ! APP>5TLY SUBTLE =MS ( ASSIMILATION & CONTROL1 IT IS BACK$ BY BRUTAL VIOL5CE4 ,PRISONS & COPS LURK ALONGSIDE DISC\RSES ( 9CLUSION & TOL]ANCE4 ,EMPIRE WORKS TO MONOPOLIZE ! :OLE FIELD ( LIFE1 CRU%+ AUTONOMY & 9DUC+ DEP5D5CE4 

,AT ! SAME TIME1 !RE >E CRACKS EV]Y:]E4 ,A BASIC PREMISE ( ?IS BOOK IS ?AT RESI/ANCE & TRANS=MATION >E ALWAYS 9 ! MAK+ AT ! M>G9S1 :ILE ,EMPIRE IS ALWAYS ADAPT+ & REACT+4 ,ALL ( ITS ME*ANISMS ( CONTROL HAVE BE5 9V5T$ AS RESPONSES TO ! CON/ANT UPWELL+ ( RESI/ANCE1 AUTONOMY1 & 9SURRECTION4 ,?IS UPWELL+ IS A /RUGGLE NOT ONLY AGA9/ EXT]NAL DOM9ATION1 BUT AGA9/ ,EMPIRE'S CONTROL OV] ID5TITIES1 DESIRES1 & RELATION%IPS4 ,UNDO+ ,EMPIRE ALSO MEANS UNDO+ ONESELF4 ,?IS IS NEV] A PURELY NEGATIVE UNDO+1 BECAUSE IT ALSO MEANS BECOM+ CAPABLE ( SOME?+ NEW4 

,WE >E CONV9C$ ?AT :AT IS NE$$ IS AN ACTIVATION & AFFIRMATION ( O!R WAYS ( BE+4 ,NOT A NEW NORM1 BUT ! EXPLORATION ( NEW 7& OLD7 CAPACITIES4 ,?IS BOOK EXPLORES SOME ( !SE CAPACITIES ALONGSIDE ! WAYS ?AT PEOPLE >E TRANS=M+ !IR [N SITUATIONS )\T GOV]NM5TS OR HI]>*ICAL 9/ITUTIONS4 ,! CAPACITY TO TREAT EA* O!R WELL IS CONNECT$1 WE ?9K1 TO MOVEM5TS ?AT NURTURE AUTONOMY1 TRU/1 RESPONSIBILITY1 & ! COLLECTIVE P[] ?AT IS PALPABLE :5 PEOPLE >E ABLE TO P>TICIPATE MORE FULLY 9 LIFE4 ,AMID & BEYOND B>RICADES & ,MOLOTOVS !RE >E NEW =MS ( C>E & BELONG+1 QUIET & HUMBLE =MS ( SUPPORT4 ,!RE >E EM]G5T S5SIBILITIES BAS$ 9 LI/5+1 CURIOSITY1 & EXP]IM5TATION4 ,!RE >E RECONNECTIONS ) SUBJUGAT$ TRADITIONS & PRACTICES4 ,!RE IS HATR$ ( ! =CES ?AT ?REAT5 ALL ?IS1 & A WILL+NESS TO FI<T4 ,SOME HAVE BE5 NURTUR+ !SE CAPACITIES = A LONG TIME2 O!RS >E JU/ BEG9N+ TO EXPLORE !M4 ,= ?IS REASON1 RA!R ?AN JU/ DWELL+ 9 ! P]VASIV5ESS ( RIGID RADICALISM OR ,EMPIRE1 H]E WE >E EXPLOR+1 CELEBRAT+1 & CONNECT+ ) O!R WAYS ( BE+--O!R ?RIV+ =MS ( RESI/ANCE & /RUGGLE4 

,AFFIRMATIVE !ORY 

,9 MANY CURR5TS ( RADICALISM--ESPECIALLY C]TA9 /RA9S ( ,M>XISM--RADICAL !ORY TASKS ITSELF ) DIRECT+ ! C\RSE ( /RUGGLE1 PO9T+ ! WAY =W>D1 OR H&+ D[N 9/RUCTIONS & FIX$ WAYS ( BE+4 ,?IS K9D ( !ORY G5]ATES NECESSITIES OR SUGGE/IONS TO BE IMPLEM5T$4 ,!ORY DIRECTS PRACTICE4 ,EI!R ?IS1 OR !ORY IS TASK$ ) CRITIQUE ( ! WORLD1 ( PRACTICE1 & ( O!R !ORIES3 IT IS SUPPOS$ TO REVEAL ! LIMITS ( CURR5T /RUGGLES1 DISCOV] ! MI/AKES & FLAW$ WAYS ( DO+ OR ?9K+1 OR REVEAL ! ROOT ( OPPRESSION4 ,(T51 BO? !SE MODES ( !ORY G5]ATE POSITIONS DEF9$ 9 OPPOSITION TO O!RS4 ,!Y GIVE US ?+S TO BE = OR AGA9/4 

,BUT !RE >E O!R MODES ( !ORY4 ,!ORY CAN ALSO EXPLORE CONNECTIONS & ASK OP5-5D$ QUE/IONS4 ,IT CAN AFFIRM & ELABORATE ON SOME?+ PEOPLE ALREADY 9TUIT OR S5SE4 ,IT CAN CELEBRATE & 9SPIRE1 IT CAN MOVE4 ,WE WANT A K9D ( !ORY ?AT P>TICIPATES 9 /RUGGLE & ! GR[? ( %>$ P[]1 RA!R ?AN DIRECT+ IT OR EVALUAT+ IT FROM \TSIDE4 ,WE >E AFT] A K9D ( !ORY ?AT IS CRITICAL BUT ALSO AFFIRMATIVE4 ,RA!R ?AN PO9T+ TO ! LIMITS OR %ORTCOM+S ( MOVEM5TS & DECL>+ :AT !Y %\LD DO1 AFFIRMATIVE !ORY HONES 9 ON ! MO/ TRANS=MATIVE $GES & M>G9S4 

,9 WRIT+ ?IS BOOK1 WE'VE BE5 9FLU5C$ BY MANY DIV]G5T VOICES & MOVEM5TS1 & WE WANT TO VALUE !M ALL4 ,WE COMB9E WEI<TY PHILOSOPHICAL CONCEPTS ) CONV]SATIONS1 & DRAW ON Z9ES1 ACADEMIC >TICLES & BOOKS1 SPEE*ES1 & 9T]VIEWS4 ,FUR!RMORE1 WE ?9K !RE'S A LOT TO BE SAID = BR++ ?+S TOGE!R 9 UN=ESE5 WAYS ?AT MI<T 9T5SIFY !IR ALIV5ESS & DYNAMISM4 ,?IS 5TAILS ASK+ & PROVOK+ QUE/IONS1 MANY ( :I* WE LEAVE OP5 & UNRESOLV$ ?R\<\T ! BOOK4 ,= US1 ! MO/ COMPELL+ QUE/IONS >E ?OSE ?AT CAN BE ANSW]$ 9 A MULTIPLICITY ( WAYS1 9 DIFF]5T SITUATIONS4 

,ONE ( \R BASIC PREMISES IS ?AT TRANS=MATIVE POT5TIALS >E ALWAYS ALREADY PRES5T & EM]G5T4 ,NOT ONLY CAN ?+S BE O!RWISE2 !Y ALREADY >E1 & IT IS A MATT] ( TUN+1 T5D+1 ACTIVAT+1 CONNECT+1 & DEF5D+ !SE PROCESSES ( *ANGE ?AT >E ALREADY 9 ! MAK+4 ,PEOPLE >E ALWAYS 5ACT+ ALT]NATIVES TO ! DOM9ANT ORD] ( ?+S1 H[EV] SMALL1 & !RE >E ALWAYS NEW CONNECTIONS & POT5TIALS TO EXPLORE4 ,WE SEE ?IS K9D ( S5SIBILITY HAPP5+ 9 CURR5TS ( FEM9ISM1 QUE] !ORY1 ,BLACK LIB]ATION1 ,9DIG5\S RESURG5CE1 Y\? LIB]ATION1 AN>*ISM1 AUTONOMISM1 & RADICAL ECOLOGY1 AMONG O!RS1 & WE SEEK TO AFFIRM !SE MOVEM5TS & PRACTICES ?R\<\T ! BOOK4 

,BUT ?IS IS TRICKY3 H[ >E WE TO AFFIRM & EXPLORE SPACES :]E SOME?+ TRANS=MATIVE IS TAK+ PLACE )\T HOLD+ !M UP AS IDEALS TO IMITATE1 OR TELL+ O!RS TO BE A C]TA9 WAY8 ,:AT WE >E AFT] IS NOT A NEW CRITIQUE OR NEW POSITION1 BUT A PROCESS4 ,NOT A NEW DIRECTION = MOVEM5TS1 BUT ! PROCESS ( MOVEM5T ITSELF1 & ! GR[? ( CREATIVITY1 /RUGGLE1 EXP]IM5TATION1 & COLLECTIVE P[]4 

,JOY & ! ,SP9OZAN CURR5T 

,TO R$UCE !SE PROBLEMS TO A COMPLETE & F9AL ANALYSIS W\LD BE TO MISS ! PO9T4 ,! BE/ ?+ W\LD BE AN 9=MAL DISCUSSION CAPABLE ( BR++ AB\T ! SUBTLE MAGIC ( WORDPLAY4 

,IT IS A REAL CONTRADICTION TO TALK ( JOY S]I\SLY4 

--,ALFR$O ,BONANNO.<#e.> 

,PURSU+ !SE QUE/IONS TOOK US ON A LONG DET\R ?R\< A M9OR CURR5T ( ,WE/]N PHILOSOPHY ASSOCIAT$ ) ,B>U* ,SP9OZA4 ,AGA9/ ! GRA9 ( ,EUROPEAN ?\<T ?AT S\<T TO SUBDUE LIFE ?R\< RIGID DUALISMS & CLASSIFICATIONS1 ,SP9OZA CONCEPTUALIZ$ A WORLD 9 :I* EV]Y?+ IS 9T]CONNECT$ & 9 PROCESS4 

,?IS WORLDVIEW MEANT ?AT ,SP9OZA WAS DESPIS$ BY MO/ ( HIS CONTEMPOR>IES1 BUT HIS IDEAS HAVE 9FLU5C$ NUM]\S CURR5TS ( RADICAL !ORY & PRACTICE1 9CLUD+ AN>*ISM1 AUTONOM\S ,M>XISM1 AFFECT !ORY1 DEEP ECOLOGY1 PSY*OANALYSIS1 PO/-/RUCTURALISM1 QUE] !ORY1 & EV5 NEUROSCI5CE4 ,WE >E DRAW+ ON A CURR5T ?AT RUNS FROM ,SP9OZA ?R\< ,FRI$RI* ,NIETZS*E1 ,GU/AV ,L&AU]1 ,MI*EL ,F\CAULT1 & ,GILLES ,DELEUZE TO CONTEMPOR>Y RADICALS LIKE ! ,9VISIBLE ,COMMITTEE1 ,COLECTIVO ,SITUACIONES1 ,LAUR5 ,B]LANT1 ,MI*AEL ,H>DT1 & ,ANTONIO ,NEGRI4 ,:AT WE HAVE F\ND EXCIT+ AB\T ?IS CURR5T IS ! FOCUS ON PROCESSES ?R\< :I* PEOPLE BECOME MORE ALIVE1 MORE CAPABLE1 & MORE P[]FUL TOGE!R4 ,= ,SP9OZA1 ! :OLE PO9T ( LIFE IS TO BECOME CAPABLE ( NEW ?+S1 ) O!RS4 ,HIS NAME = ?IS PROCESS IS JOY4 

,JOY8 ,:AT8 ,DOESN'T JOY JU/ MEAN HAPP9ESS1 ) SOME VAGUELY ,*RI/IAN UND]TONES8 ,LAT] WE'LL BE MORE PRECISE AB\T JOY1 BUT = N[ WE WANT TO BE CLE> ?AT IT IS NOT ! SAME ?+ AS HAPP9ESS4 ,A JOYFUL PROCESS ( TRANS=MATION MI<T 9VOLVE HAPP9ESS1 BUT IT T5DS TO 5TAIL A :OLE RANGE ( FEEL+S AT ONCE3 IT MI<T FEEL OV]:ELM+1 PA9FUL1 DRAMATIC & WORLD-%AK+1 OR SUBTLE & UNCANNY4 ,JOY R>ELY FEELS COM=TABLE OR EASY1 BECAUSE IT TRANS=MS & REORI5TS PEOPLE & RELATION%IPS4 ,RA!R ?AN ! DESIRE TO EXPLOIT1 CONTROL1 & DIRECT O!RS1 IT IS RESONANT ) EM]G5T & COLLECTIVE CAPACITIES TO DO ?+S1 MAKE ?+S1 UNDO PA9FUL HABITS1 & NURTURE 5ABL+ WAYS ( BE+ TOGE!R4.<#f.> 

,MOREOV]1 ,SP9OZA'S CONCEPT ( JOY IS NOT AN EMOTION AT ALL1 BUT AN 9CREASE 9 ONE'S P[] TO AFFECT & BE AFFECT$4 ,IT IS ! CAPACITY TO DO & FEEL MORE4 ,AS SU*1 IT IS CONNECT$ TO CREATIVITY & ! EMBRACE ( UNC]TA9TY4 ,)9 ! ,SP9OZAN CURR5T1 !RE IS NO WAY TO DET]M9E :AT IS RI<T & GOOD = EV]YONE4 ,IT IS NOT A MORAL PHILOSOPHY1 ) A FIX$ IDEA ( GOOD & EVIL4 ,!RE IS NO RECIPE = LIFE OR /RUGGLE4 ,!RE IS NO FRAMEWORK ?AT WORKS 9 ALL PLACES1 AT ALL TIMES4 ,:AT IS TRANS=MATIVE 9 ONE CONTEXT MI<T BE USELESS OR /IFL+ 9 ANO!R4 ,:AT WORK$ ONCE MI<T BECOME /ALE1 OR1 ON ! O!R H&1 ! RECOV]Y ( OLD MEMORIES & TRADITIONS MI<T BE 5LIV5+4 ,SO DOES ?IS MEAN ANY?+ GOES8 ,PEOPLE JU/ DO :AT !Y WANT8 ,REJECT+ UNIV]SAL >BIT]S LIKE MORALITY & ! /ATE DOESN'T MEAN FALL+ 9TO 0*AOS0 OR 0TOTAL RELATIVITY40 ,! SPACE BEYOND FIX$ & E/ABLI%$ ORD]S1 /RUCTURES1 & MORALS IS NOT ONE ( DISORD]3 IT IS ! SPACE ( EM]G5T ORD]S1 VALUES1 & =MS ( LIFE4 

,JOYFUL MILITANCY & EM]G5T P[]S 

,:5 PEOPLE COME 9TO CONTACT ) !IR [N P[]--) !IR CAPACITY TO P>TICIPATE 9 SOME?+ LIFE-GIV+--!Y (T5 BECOME MORE MILITANT4 ,MILITANCY IS A LOAD$ WORD = SOME1 EVOK+ IMAGES ( MA*ISMO & MILIT>ISM4 ,= US1 MILITANCY MEANS COMBATIV5ESS & A WILL+NESS TO FI<T1 BUT FI<T+ MI<T LOOK LIKE A LOT ( DIFF]5T ?+S4 ,IT MI<T MEAN ! /RUGGLE AGA9/ 9T]NALIZ$ %AME & OPPRESSION2 FI]CE SUPPORT = A FRI5D OR LOV$ ONE2 ! C\RAGE TO SIT ) TRAUMA2 A QUIET ACT ( SABOTAGE2 ! P]SI/5CE TO RECOV] SUBJUGAT$ TRADITIONS2 DRAW+ L9ES 9 ! S&2 OR SIMPLY ! WILL+NESS TO RISK4 ,WE >E 9T5TIONALLY BR++ JOY & MILITANCY TOGE!R1 ) ! AIM ( ?9K+ ?R\< ! CONNECTIONS BETWE5 FI]C5ESS & LOVE1 RESI/ANCE & C>E1 COMBATIV5ESS & NURTURANCE4 

,:5 PEOPLE F9D !MSELVES G5U9ELY SUPPORT$ & C>$ =1 !Y >E ABLE TO EXT5D ?IS TO O!RS 9 WAYS ?AT SEEM$ IMPOSSIBLE OR T]RIFY+ BE=E4 ,:5 PEOPLE F9D !IR BELLIES FILL$ & !IR M9DS %>P5$ AMONG COMMUNAL KIT*5S & LIBR>IES1 HATR$ = CAPITALI/ WAYS ( LIFE GR[S AMID BELONG+ & CONNECTION4 ,:5 SOMEONE RECEIVES COM=T & SUPPORT FROM FRI5DS1 !Y F9D !MSELVES WILL+ TO CONFRONT ! ABUSE !Y HAVE BE5 FAC+4 ,:5 PEOPLE DEVELOP OR RECOV] A CONNECTION TO ! PLACES :]E !Y LIVE1 !Y MAY F9D !MSELVES /&+ 9 FRONT ( BULLDOZ]S TO PROTECT ?AT PLACE4 ,:5 PEOPLE BEG9 TO MEET !IR EV]YDAY NE$S ?R\< NEI<BORHOOD ASSEMBLIES & MUTUAL AID1 ALL ( A SUDD5 !Y >E WILL+ TO FI<T ! POLICE1 & ! FI<T DEEP5S BONDS ( TRU/ & SOLID>ITY4 ,JOY CAN BE CONTAGI\S & DANG]\S4 

,ALL OV] ! WORLD1 !RE >E /ORIES ( PEOPLE :O F9D !MSELVES TRANS=M$ ?R\< ! CREATION ( O!R =MS ( LIFE3 MORE CAPABLE1 MORE ALIVE1 & MORE CONNECT$ TO EA* O!R1 & WILL+ TO DEF5D :AT !Y >E BUILD+4 ,9 \R CONV]SATIONS ) O!RS FROM A V>IETY ( CURR5TS & LOCATIONS1 WE HAVE BECOME 9CREAS+LY CONV9C$ ?AT ! MO/ WIDESPREAD1 LONG-LA/+1 & FI]CE /RUGGLES >E ANIMAT$ BY /RONG RELATION%IPS ( LOVE1 C>E1 & TRU/4 ,!SE VALUES >E NOT FIX$ DUTIES ?AT CAN BE IMITAT$1 NOR DO !Y COME \T ( ?9 AIR4 ,!Y >ISE FROM /RUGGLES ?R\< :I* PEOPLE BECOME P[]FUL TOGE!R4 ,AS PEOPLE =CE ,EMPIRE \T ( !IR LIVES1 !RE IS MORE SPACE = K9DNESS & SOLID>ITY4 ,AS PEOPLE R$UCE !IR DEP5D5CE ON ,EMPIRE'S /IFL+ 9/ITUTIONS1 COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY & AUTONOMY CAN GR[4 ,AS PEOPLE COME TO TRU/ !IR CAPACITY TO FIGURE ?+S \T TOGE!R RA!R ?AN RELY+ ON ! /ATE & CAPITALISM1 !Y >E LESS WILL+ TO SUBMIT TO ! FE>S & DIVISIONS ?AT ,EMPIRE FO/]S4 

,!SE EM]G5T P[]S >E AT ! CORE ( ! ,SP9OZAN L9EAGE1 ( ?IS BOOK1 & 7WE ?9K7 ( MANY VIBRANT MOVEM5TS TODAY4 ,DRAW+ ON ,SP9OZA1 WE CALL !M COMMON NOTIONS4 ,TO HAVE A COMMON NOTION IS TO BE ABLE TO P>TICIPATE MORE FULLY 9 ! WEB ( RELATIONS & AFFECTIONS 9 :I* WE >E 5ME%$4 ,!Y >E NOT AB\T CONTROLL+ ?+S1 BUT AB\T RESPONSE-ABILITY1 CAPACITIES TO REMA9 RESPONSIVE TO *ANG+ SITUATIONS4 ,?IS IS :Y !Y >E A BIT P>ADOXICAL3 !Y >E MAT]IAL IDEAS1 ACCESS$ BY TUN+ 9TO ! =CES ?AT COMPOSE US1 9SEP>ABLE FROM ! FEEL+S & PRACTICES ?AT ANIMATE !M4 ,AB/RACT MORALITY & IDEOLOGY >E B>RI]S TO ?IS TUN+-91 (F]+ UP RULE-B\ND FRAMEWORKS ?AT CLOSE US (F FROM ! CAPACITY TO MODULATE ! =CES ( ! PRES5T MOM5T4 

,SIMIL>LY1 WE HAVE COME TO ?9K ?AT :ILE TRU/ IS FUNDAM5TAL 9 TRANS=MATIVE /RUGGLE1 IT CANNOT BE AN OBLIGATION2 TRU/ IS ALWAYS A GIFT & A RISK4 ,COMMON NOTIONS >E 9H]5TLY EXP]IM5TAL & COLLECTIVE4 ,!Y SUBSI/ BY HANG+ ONTO UNC]TA9TY1 SIMIL> TO ! ,ZAPATI/AS' NOTION PREGUNT&O CAM9AMOS3 0ASK+1 WE WALK40 ,= ! SAME REASON1 COMMON NOTIONS >E ALWAYS 9 DANG] ( BE+ /IFL$ BY RIGID RADICALISM1 :I* T5DS T[>DS MI/RU/ & FIX$ WAYS ( RELAT+ ?AT DE/ROY ! CAPACITY TO BE RESPONSIVE & 9V5TIVE4 ,JOYFUL MILITANCY1 !N1 IS A FI]CE COMMITM5T TO EM]G5T =MS ( LIFE 9 ! CRACKS ( ,EMPIRE1 & ! VALUES1 RESPONSIBILITIES1 & QUE/IONS ?AT SU/A9 !M4 

,I,I 

,BEYOND OPTIMISM & PESSIMISM 

,:ILE WE WANT TO 9SI/ ?AT !RE >E POT5TIALS BUBBL+ UP EV]Y:]E1 IT DOESN'T ALWAYS FEEL ?AT WAY4 ,?IS IS NOT AN OPTIMI/IC BOOK4 ,WE >E NOT 9T]E/$ 9 SACRIFIC+ ! PRES5T = A REVOLUTION 9 ! DI/ANCE1 NOR >E WE CONFID5T ?AT ?+S WILL GET BETT]4 ,!Y MAY GET WORSE1 = MANY ( US1 9 MANY WAYS4 ,H[EV]1 WE >E EQUALLY W>Y ( PESSIMISM & CYNICISM4 ,AMONG O!RS1 FEM9I/ ESSAYI/ ,REBECCA ,SOLNIT HAS TAU<T US TO SEE OPTIMISM & PESSIMISM AS TWO SIDES ( ! SAME CO93 BO? TRY TO REMOVE UNC]TA9TY FROM ! WORLD4 ,BO? FO/] C]TITUDE AB\T H[ ?+S WILL TURN \T1 :E!R GOOD OR BAD4 ,OPTIMISM & PESSIMISM CAN PROVIDE A S5SE ( COM=T AT ! EXP5SE ( OP5NESS & ! CAPACITY TO HANG ONTO COMPLEXITY4 ,!Y CAN DRA9 AWAY \R CAPACITY TO C>E1 TO TRY1 & TO FI<T = ?+S TO BE O!RWISE )\T KN[+ H[ IT WILL TURN \T4 ,A FUNDAM5TAL PREMISE ( ?IS BOOK IS ?AT NO MATT] :AT1 ?+S CAN BE O!RWISE--!RE IS ALWAYS WIGGLE ROOM1 ,EMPIRE IS ALREADY FULL ( CRACKS1 & ! FUTURE IS ALWAYS UNC]TA94 ,UNC]TA9TY IS :]E WE NE$ TO BEG91 BECAUSE EXP]IM5TATION & CURIOSITY IS P>T ( :AT HAS BE5 /OL5 FROM US4 ,EMPIRE WORKS 9 P>T BY MAK+ US FEEL IMPOT5T1 CORROD+ \R ABILITIES TO %APE WORLDS TOGE!R4 

,9 ?IS BOOK WE HOPE TO AFFIRM A DIV]SE >RAY ( /RUGGLES & ALT]NATIVES 9 ! MAK+1 9CLUD+ PRISON ABOLITION & TRANS=MATIVE JU/ICE1 FEM9ISM & ANTI-VIOL5CE1 Y\? LIB]ATION1 & ,9DIG5\S RESURG5CE & L& DEF5SE1 AMONG O!RS4 ,?IS K9D ( CONNECTION IS LESS AB\T ADD+ UP MOVEM5TS AS IF !Y C\LD BE UNIFI$1 & MORE AB\T ILLU/RAT+ ! PRODUCTIV5ESS ( !IR DIFF]5CE2 LIKE COMB9+ DIFF]5T TONES & RHY?MS TO SEE H[ !Y RESONATE4 

,TO ?9K & FEEL ?R\< ?IS PROCESS1 RA!R ?AN CREAT+ NEW NORMS OR POSITIONS1 MAY BE FRU/RAT+ = SOME READ]S4 ,IT MI<T S\ND A BIT FLUFFY TO 9SI/ ?AT EXP]IM5TATION & /RUGGLE GO H& 9 H&1 OR ?AT CELEBRATION & LOVE >E L9K$ TO MILITANT RESI/ANCE4 ,!Y >5'T ALWAYS CONNECT$4 ,YET CREATIVITY & EXP]IM5TATION >E VITAL 9 ! FACE ( =CES ?AT NOT ONLY CRU% DISOB$I5CE BUT ALSO /E] DESIRES4 ,WE WANT TO AFFIRM ! WAYS ?AT CREATIVE DE/RUCTION & COMBATIVE RESI/ANCE CAN BE L9K$ TO WALK+ ) QUE/IONS1 & ALL ( ?IS CAN MAKE US MORE ALIVE & CAPABLE TOGE!R4 ,JOYFUL MILITANCY IS A DANG]\S1 TRANS=MATIVE1 & EXP]IM5TAL PROCESS1 G5]AT$ COLLECTIVELY & HELD G5TLY4 

,ON AN>*ISM 

0,Q3 IF AN AN>*O-SYNDICALI/1 AN 9SURRECTION>Y AN>*I/1 & AN AN>*O-PRIMITIVI/ >E SITT+ TOGE!R 9 ! BACK ( A C>1 :O'S DRIV+8 

,A3 ,A COP60 

,?IS BOOK IS ALSO AN 9T]V5TION 9TO ANTI-AU?ORIT>IAN MOVEM5TS1 ESPECIALLY AN>*ISM4 ,MANY ?READS ( AN>*ISM 9FUSE \R LIVES & ! LIVES ( ?OSE WE C>E AB\T1 & WE HAVE BE5 9SPIR$ & 9FLU5C$ BY A RANGE ( DIFF]5T ANTI-AU?ORIT>IAN CURR5TS4 ,AT ITS MO/ VIBRANT1 AN>*ISM IS NOT AN IDEOLOGY1 BUT A CREATIVE REJECTION ( ! IDEOLOGIES ( ! /ATE1 CAPITALISM1 & ! ,LEFT4 ,CRUCIAL TO AN>*ISM IS ! ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE ! C]TA9TIES ( ,EMPIRE & ! C]TA9TIES ?AT CAN >ISE 9 /RUGGLE4 ,AN>*ISM CAN SUPPORT A TRU/ 9 PEOPLE'S CAPACITIES TO FIGURE \T = !MSELVES H[ TO LIVE & FI<T TOGE!R1 RA!R ?AN CON/RUCT+ A MODEL OR BLUEPR9T = RESI/ANCE4 ,:]EAS DOM9ANT CURR5TS ( ,M>XISM & LIB]ALISM ASSUME ! NECESSITY ( ! /ATE & ACTIVATE DESIRES = UNITY & SAM5ESS1 AN>*ISM (T5 NURTURES AUTONOMY1 DEC5TRALIZATION1 & DIFF]5CE4 

,! AN>*ISM WE >E 9T]E/$ 9 DOES NOT TELL US :AT WE %\LD DO4 ,= US ?IS IS CRUCIAL4 ,AN>*ISM CAN HELP US 9HABIT SPACES BY TRU/+ \R [N CAPACITIES1 & RELAT+ 9 WAYS ?AT >E EM]G5T & RESPONSIVE TO *ANGE4 ,BUT AS ) ANY O!R TRADITION1 AN>*ISM CAN ALSO CRY/ALLIZE 9TO A FIX$ IDEOLOGY4 ,IT CAN PRODUCE CLOS$ & /IFL+ MILIEUS4 ,IT CAN LEAD TO DUTY-B\ND COLLECTIVISM1 OR SIMPLI/IC 9DIVIDUALISM4 ,IT CAN FEEL LIKE A CLUB :OSE B\ND>IES >E POLIC$1 OR A BADGE TO DISPLAY ONE'S RADICAL CR$4 ,AN>*I/ SPACES CAN FEEL COLD1 UNWELCOM+1 & SC>Y4 ,ANYONE FAMILI> ) AN>*I/ MILIEUS KN[S ?AT !RE CAN BE VICI\S SECT>IAN CONFLICTS1 :I* (T5 5TR5* RIGID LOYALTIES & POSITIONS4 

,WE DO NOT FOCUS MU* ON !SE DEBATES H]E1 NOR DO WE SITUATE \RSELVES AS P>TICUL> TYPES ( AN>*I/S4 ,?IS IS P>TLY BECAUSE WE HAVE LE>N$ FROM MANY DIFF]5T CURR5TS1 & IT SEEMS C\NT]PRODUCTIVE TO ELEVATE ONE ABOVE ! O!RS4 ,WE ALSO WANT TO AVOID SOME ( ! DEBATES ?AT1 TO US1 HAVE BECOME S$IM5T$ & /ALE4 ,AT ITS BE/1 WE ?9K AN>*ISM NURTURES TRU/ 9 PEOPLE'S CAPACITY TO FIGURE ?+S \T1 :ILE ALSO SUPPORT+ AUTONOMY & LEAV+ ROOM = CONFLICT4 ,WE >E 9SPIR$ BY ALL ! WAYS ?AT AN>*I/S >E ABLE TO 9HABIT SITUATIONS ) /RONG VALUES & FI]CE C>E1 :ILE ALSO RESPECT+ & EV5 WELCOM+ DIFF]5CE4 

,WE >E P>TICUL>LY 9T]E/$ 9 CURR5TS ( AN>*ISM & ANTI-AU?ORIT>IANISM ?AT HAVE EMPHASIZ$ ! IMPORTANCE ( AFF9ITIES OV] IDEOLOGIES4 ,AFF9ITY IS A HELPFUL CONCEPT = US BECAUSE IT SPEAKS TO EM]G5T RELATION%IPS & =MS ( ORGANIZ+ ?AT >E DEC5TRALIZ$ & FLEXIBLE1 BUT NOT FLIMSY4 ,ORGANIZ+ BY AFF9ITY BASICALLY MEANS SEEK+ \T & NURTUR+ RELATION%IPS BAS$ 9 %>$ VALUES1 COMMITM5TS1 & PASSIONS1 )\T TRY+ TO IMPOSE ?OSE ON EV]YONE ELSE4 ,AFF9ITY IS ALSO IMPORTANT BECAUSE MANY ( ! CURR5TS ?AT 9SPIRE US EI!R REJECT AN>*ISM--ALONG ) ALL O!R 0ISMS0--OR JU/ DON'T HAVE MU* 9T]E/ 9 IT4 ,SOME ( ! PEOPLE WE 9T]VIEW$ >E SELF-PROCLAIM$ AN>*I/S :O >E KN[N 9 AN>*I/ MILIEUS4 ,O!RS HAVE BE5 DEEPLY 9FLU5C$ BY AN>*ISM1 & IT 9FLECTS !IR PROJECTS & !IR LIVES1 BUT !Y DON'T ID5TIFY MU* ) ! POLITICAL LABEL4 ,O!RS HAVE TRADITIONS ( AUTONOMY & RESI/ANCE ?AT COME FROM O!R S\RCES1 9CLUD+ ,9DIG5EITY & O!R NON-,WE/]N TRADITIONS4 ,= MANY1 RESI/ANCE TO HI]>*Y1 VIOL5CE1 & EXPLOITATION HAS BE5 SOME?+ 9TUITIVE1 OR A QUE/ION ( SURVIVAL4 ,!Y >E =C+ ,EMPIRE \T ( !IR LIVES & L9K+ UP ) O!RS DO+ ! SAME4 

,!RE IS A CONV]SATION GO+ ON1 )9 & BEYOND AN>*ISM1 AB\T ! POT5TIAL ( /RONG RELATION%IPS ?AT >E ROOT$ 9 TRU/1 LOVE1 C>E1 & ! CAPACITY TO SUPPORT & DEF5D EA* O!R4 ,! MO/ EXCIT+ CURR5TS ( AN>*ISM1 = US1 >E ?OSE ?AT 5C\RAGE & 5ABLE PEOPLE TO LIVE DIFF]5TLY H]E & N[1 & TO BREAK D[N DIVIDES BETWE5 ORGANIZ+ & EV]YDAY LIFE4 

,! BEG9N+ ( A CONV]SATION 

,H[ CAN !SE PROCESSES ( TRANS=MATION BE NURTUR$ & DEF5D$1 NOT JU/ 9 !IR MO/ DRAMATIC & EXCEPTIONAL MOM5TS1 BUT ALL ! TIME8 ,>E !RE COMMON VALUES OR S5SIBILITIES ?AT NURTURE TRANS=MATIVE RELATION%IPS1 ALIVE & RESPONSIVE TO *ANG+ SITUATIONS1 :ILE W>D+ (F BO? ,EMPIRE & RIGID RADICALISM8 ,:AT IF JOY 7AS ! PROCESS ( BECOM+ MORE CAPABLE7 WAS SE5 AS FUNDAM5TAL TO UNDO+ ,EMPIRE8 ,:AT W\LD IT MEAN TO BE MILITANT AB\T JOY8 ,:AT IS MILITANCY :5 IT IS 9FUS$ ) CREATIVITY & LOVE8 

,IT WAS ) !SE QUE/IONS--MU* VAGU] & MORE MUDDL$ AT ! TIME--?AT ! TWO ( US BEGAN HAV+ 9T5TIONAL CONV]SATIONS ) SEV]AL O!RS4 ,& :O >E WE1 ! TWO ( US8 ,BO? ( US LIVE 9 SO-CALL$ ,BRITI% ,COLUMBIA1 ,CANADA--,NICK 9 ,VICTORIA & C>LA 9 ,VANC\V]4 ,WE COME FROM DIFF]5T G5]ATIONS1 & WE HAVE PRETTY DIFF]5T LIFE EXP]I5CES ACROSS G5D]1 CLASS1 ABILITY1 & $UCATION4 C>LA HAS BE5 9VOLV$ 9 DES*OOL+1 Y\? LIB]ATION ORGANIZ+1 & O!R RADICAL CURR5TS = A C\PLE ( DECADES N[1 & %E BECAME A M5TOR TO ,NICK SEV]AL YE>S AGO AS ,NICK WAS REALIZ+ ?AT HE WAS A RADICAL 9 HIS MID TW5TIES )\T MANY M5TORS FROM OLD] G5]ATIONS 7A COMMON PH5OM5ON 9 AN>*I/ & O!R RADICAL WORLDS74 ,:AT BEGAN AS A RELATION%IP ( M5TOR%IP & POLITICAL COLLABORATION EVOLV$ 9TO A DEEP FRI5D%IP4 ,9 T]MS ( \R ORGANIZ+1 WE >E BO? ORI5T$ T[>DS PREFIGURATIVE EXP]IM5TS3 TRY+ TO CONTRIBUTE TO PROJECTS & =MS ( LIFE :]E WE >E ABLE TO LIVE & RELATE DIFF]5TLY ) O!RS1 H]E & N[1 & SUPPORT+ O!RS DO+ ! SAME4 ,BO? ( US >E :ITE CIS-G5D]$ SETTL]S1 & = US ?IS HAS MEANT TRY+ TO WRITE 9 CONV]SATION ) PEOPLE ) V]Y DIFF]5T LIFE EXP]I5CES & 9SI<TS1 9CLUD+ ,9DIG5\S PEOPLE1 KIDS & Y\?1 ,BLACK PEOPLE & O!R FOLKS ( COLOR1 & G5D]QUE] & TRANS FOLKS1 ALL ( :OM /RUGGLE AGA9/ =MS ( VIOL5CE & OPPRESSION ?AT WE CAN NEV] KN[4 ,WE HAVE ALSO S\<T TO TALK TO PEOPLE FROM A WIDE V>IETY ( MOVEM5TS 9 MANY DIFF]5T PLACES ?R\<\T ,TURTLE ,ISL& 7,NOR? ,AM]ICA7 & ,LAT9 ,AM]ICA4 

,OV] ! C\RSE ( A YE> & A HALF WE SPOKE ) FRI5DS1 & FRI5DS ( FRI5DS4 ,?IS WAS A UNIQUE RESE>* PROCESS1 9 P>T1 BECAUSE WE W]E 9VIT+ PEOPLE 9TO AN ONGO+ CONV]SATION1 ASK+ !M TO REFLECT ON & RESPOND TO \R CONT9UALLY EVOLV+ IDEAS AB\T JOYFUL MILITANCY & RIGID RADICALISM4 ,WE =MALLY 9T]VIEW$ FIFTE5 PEOPLE 9 ALL3 ,SILVIA ,F$]ICI1 ADRI5NE M>EE BR[N1 ,M>9A ,SITR91 ,GU/AVO ,E/EVA1 ,KELSEY ,*AM ,C41 ,ZA9AB ,AMADAHY1 ,LEANNE ,BETASAMOSAKE ,SIMPSON1 ,MELANIE ,MAT9+1 ,TASNIM ,NA?OO1 ,SEBA/IAN ,T\ZA1 ,WALIDAH ,IM>I%A1 ,MIK ,TURJE1 ,M>G>ET ,KILLJOY1 ,GL5 ,C\L?>D1 & ,RI*>D ,DAY4 ,WE ALSO HAD MANY MORE 9=MAL CONV]SATIONS ) FOLKS FROM A LOT ( DIFF]5T BACKGR\NDS1 ( ALL AGES1 :O IMPACT$ \R ?9K+ IMM5SELY4 

,!SE PEOPLE >E NOT REPRES5TATIVES ( ANY P>TICUL> GR\P OR MOVEM5T4 ,NOR >E WE HOLD+ !M UP AS ! ULTIMATE EMBODIM5T ( JOY1 MILITANCY1 OR RADICALISM4 ,!Y >E PEOPLE ) :OM WE %>E VALUES & :O 9SPIRE & *ALL5GE US4 ,ALL ( !M >E COMMITT$1 9 V>I\S WAYS1 TO =C+ ,EMPIRE \T ( !IR LIVES & REVIV+ & NURTUR+ O!R WORLDS4 ,!Y >E 9VOLV$ 9 A DIV]SITY ( MOVEM5TS1 /RUGGLES1 & =MS ( LIFE3 ! UPRIS+S 9 ,OAXACA & ,>G5T9A2 SMALL-SCALE F>M+ & URBAN FOOD JU/ICE2 ,BLACK LIB]ATION & PRISON ABOLITION2 ,9DIG5\S RESURG5CE & L& DEF5SE2 TRANS=MATIVE & HEAL+ JU/ICE MOVEM5TS2 RADICAL ECOLOGY & P]MACULTURE2 SCAV5G+ & SQUATT+2 Y\? LIB]ATION & DES*OOL+2 FEM9I/ & ANTI-VIOL5CE WORK2 ! CREATION ( AUTONOM\S1 QUE]1 ,B,I,P,O,C.<"9.> SPACES2 DIRECT ACTION & ANTICAPITALI/ ORGANIZ+1 & MU* MORE1 9CLUD+ ! BEAUTIFUL & FI]CE WAYS ( BE+ ?AT >E DIFFICULT TO CAPTURE 9 WORDS4 ,EXP]I5CES AMONG ! PEOPLE WE 9T]VIEW$ RANG$ WIDELY1 FROM LONG-T]M COMMITM5TS TO PLACES & COMMUNITIES TO MORE IT9]ANT & SCATT]$ SPACES ( BELONG+2 FROM BE+ /EEP$ 9 RADICAL !ORY TO =MS ( KN[L$GE >IS+ ?R\< LIV$ EXP]I5CE2 FROM BE+ WELL KN[N 9 RADICAL CIRCLES TO BE+ KN[N PRIM>ILY AMONG FRI5DS1 LOV$ ONES1 & CLOSE COLLABORATORS4 

,SOME WE 9T]VIEW$ 9 P]SON1 SOME OV] CONF]5CE CALLS1 & O!RS ?R\< WRITT5 CORRESPOND5CE4 ,WE HAVE TRI$ TO %[ ?IS CONV]SATION--& TO KEEP IT GO+--BY 9CLUD+ EXT5D$ EXC]PTS FROM SOME ( ! 9T]VIEWS1 PUTT+ !M 9 DIALOGUE ) \R [N IDEAS & ) EA* O!R4 ,SOME PEOPLE WE 9T]VIEW$ W]E UNEQUIVOCALLY 5?USIA/IC AB\T ?IS NOTION ( JOYFUL MILITANCY1 (F]+ 5C\RAGEM5T & AFFIRMATION4 ,O!RS W]E MORE CRITICAL1 AL]T+ US TO DANG]S1 %ORTCOM+S1 & CONFUSIONS1 & *ALL5G+ SOME ( \R IDEAS4 ,WE HAVE TRI$ TO %[ SOME ( ! WAYS \R 9T]LOCUTORS *ALL5G$ & DISAGRE$ ) US--& DIV]G$ FROM EA* O!R--)\T PITT+ ANYONE AGA9/ EA* O!R 9 A SIMPLI/IC WAY4 

,WE LE>N$ A LOT FROM ! APPREH5SIV5ESS ( SOME ( ! ,9DIG5\S PEOPLE & PEOPLE ( COLOR WE 9T]VIEW$1 :OSE EMOTIONS >E CON/ANTLY POLIC$ & REGULAT$1 & :OSE /RUGGLES >E CON/ANTLY APPROPRIAT$ OR ]AS$4 ,WE HE>D FROM !M ?AT C5T]+ ?+S LIKE K9DNESS1 LOVE1 TRU/1 & FL\RI%+--ESPECIALLY :5 IT COMES FROM :ITE PEOPLE LIKE US--CAN ]ASE P[] RELATIONS4 ,IT CAN 5D UP PA?OLOGIZ+ SO-CALL$ 0NEGATIVE0 EMOTIONS LIKE FE>1 MI/RU/1 RES5TM5T1 & ANG]4 ,IT CAN LEGITIMIZE TONE POLIC+ & A REACTION>Y DEF5SE ( COM=T4 ,IT CAN FALL 9TO SIMPLI/IC COMM&M5TS TO 0BE NICE0 OR 0GET OV]0 OPPRESSION & VIOL5CE4 ,SIMIL>LY1 PO9T+ TO ! IMPORTANCE ( TRU/ & OP5NESS CAN BE DANG]\S & IRRESPONSIBLE 9 A WORLD ( SO MU* BETRAYAL & VIOL5CE4 ,!SE MISGIV+S HAVE TAU<T US TO BE CLE> ?AT TRU/ & VULN]ABILITY >E P[]FUL & IRR$UCIBLY RISKY2 !Y REQUIRE B\ND>IES4 ,!Y CAN NEV] BE OBLIGATIONS OR DUTIES4 

,WE HAVE ALSO F\ND ?AT ,SP9OZA'S CONCEPT ( SADNESS CAN BE V]Y MISLEAD+4 ,9 CONTRA/ TO JOY1 IT MEANS ! R$UCTION ( ONE'S CAPACITIES TO AFFECT & BE AFFECT$4 ,9ITIALLY1 WE HAD BE5 CALL+ RIGID RADICALISM 0SAD MILITANCY10 DRAW+ ON O!RS 9 ! ,SP9OZAN CURR5T4.<#g.> ,BUT :ILE ! CONCEPT ( SAD MILITANCY WAS IMM$IATELY 9TUITIVE = SOME1 = O!RS IT WAS FRU/RAT+ BECAUSE ( ITS RESONANCE ) GRIEF & SORR[1 :I* >E AN IRR$UCIBLE P>T ( LIFE & /RUGGLE4 ,9T]PRET$ 9 ?IS LI<T1 IT C\LD BE SE5 AS BELITTL+ GRIEF & PA94 ,= ?AT REASON1 WE HAVE DEC5T]$ ! CONCEPT ( SADNESS 9 ?IS BOOK1 :ILE TRY+ TO HANG ONTO :AT ,SP9OZA WAS GETT+ AT4 ,9 ITS PLACE1 WE (T5 USE WORDS LIKE /AGNATION1 RIGIDITY1 & DEPLETION1 CONNOT+ A LOSS ( COLLECTIVE P[] & ! WAY ,EMPIRE & RIGID RADICALISM KEEP US /UCK !RE4 ,) JOYFUL MILITANCY WE >E TRY+ TO GET AT A MULTIPLICITY ( TRANS=MATIONS & WORLDS 9 MOTION1 BUT !RE IS A DANG] ( IMPLY+ ?AT WE >E ALL 9 ! SAME SITUATION1 & ]AS+ DIFF]5CE & ANTAGONISMS4 ,B,I,P,O,C WOM51 TRANS1 QUE]1 & ,TWO-,SPIRIT PEOPLE1 9 P>TICUL>1 HAVE WORK$ H>D TO %[ ! SPECIFICITIES ( ! OPPRESSION !Y FACE & ! SPECIFICITY ( !IR RESI/ANCE & ! WORLDS !Y >E MAK+4 

,9 ! FACE ( ?IS1 WE HAVE MO/LY QUE/IONS & T5TATIVE IDEAS3 CAN JOYFUL MILITANCY AFFIRM & EXPLORE A MULTIPLICITY ( /RUGGLES & =MS ( LIFE )\T HOMOG5IZ+ !M8 ,BY ATTUN+ US TO OP5-5D$NESS ( SITUATIONS1 CAN JOY HELP US UNDO SOME ( ! UNIV]SALIZ+ & COLONIZ+ T5D5CIES ( RADICAL ,WE/]N !ORY & PRACTICE8 ,CAN MOVEM5TS BE EXPLOR$ 9 WAYS ?AT 5ABLE MUTUAL LE>N+ & TRANS=MATION1 RA!R ?AN ]AS+ DIFF]5CE8 

,H]E1 WE WANT TO RETURN TO ! DYNAMIC SPACE BEYOND FIX$ NORMS ON ! ONE H&1 & 0ANY?+ GOES0 RELATIVISM ON ! O!R4 ,\TSIDE ?IS FALSE DI*OTOMY IS ! DOMA9 ( RELATION%IPS ?AT >E ALIVE1 RESPONSIVE1 & MAKE PEOPLE CAPABLE ( NEW ?+S TOGE!R1 )\T IMPOS+ ?IS ON EV]YONE ELSE4 ,IT IS 9 ?IS SPACE :]E VALUES LIKE OP5NESS1 CURIOSITY1 TRU/1 & RESPONSIBILITY CAN REALLY FL\RI%1 NOT AS FIX$ WAYS ( BE+ TO BE APPLI$ EV]Y:]E1 BUT AS WAYS ( RELAT+ ?AT CAN ONLY BE KEPT ALIVE BY CULTIVAT+ C>EFUL1 SELECTIVE1 & FI]CE B\ND>IES4 ,= JOY TO FL\RI%1 IT NE$S %>P $GES4 

,H[ DO WE KN[ :5 TO BE OP5 & VULN]ABLE1 & :5 TO DRAW L9ES 9 ! S& & FI<T8 ,:O TO TRU/1 & H[8 ,:5 >E RELATION%IPS WOR? FI<T+ =1 & :5 DO !Y NE$ TO BE AB&ON$8 ,!SE >E NOT QUE/IONS ) PRE-GIV5 ANSW]S2 !Y CAN ONLY BE ANSW]$ OV] & OV] AGA9 9 A MULTIPLICITY ( WAYS4 ,A CRUCIAL \TGR[? ( JOY & FIDELITY TO IT1 WE SUGGE/1 IS ?AT PEOPLE WILL TAKE DIFF]5T PA?S & HAVE DIFF]5T PRIORITIES4 ,MOVEM5TS & =MS ( LIFE WILL DIV]GE & SOMETIMES COME 9TO CONFLICT4 ,!RE IS NO TRUMP C>D ?AT CAN BE US$ TO DICTATE A PA? TO O!RS3 NOT ! /ATE1 NOT MORALITY1 & NOT /RATEGIC IMP]ATIVES ( UNITY OR MOVEM5T-BUILD+4 ,5C\NT]+ DIFF]5CE MI<T LEAD TO NEW CAPACITIES1 /RONG BONDS1 & NEW =MS ( /RUGGLE4 ,OR IT MI<T BE MORE AMBIVAL5T & DIFFICULT1 MIX+ DI/ANCE & CLOS5ESS4 ,OR IT MI<T MEAN BE+ TOLD TO FUCK (F4 ,= ALL !SE REASONS1 WE TRY TO %>E SOME ( \R [N VALUES1 & SOME ( ! /RUGGLES & MOVEM5TS ?AT DEEPLY 9SPIRE US1 )\T SAY+ ?AT !Y >E RI<T = EV]YONE OR ?AT O!RS %\LD %>E \R PRIORITIES4 

,/RUCTURE ( ! BOOK 

,?IS BOOK IS LAID \T 9 FIVE CORE *APT]S4 ,EA* *APT] LOOKS AT ,EMPIRE FROM A DIFF]5T P]SPECTIVE1 %[+ H[ IT IS BE+ UNDONE AT ! $GES & CRACKS4 ,*APT] #a SUGGE/S ?AT1 9CREAS+LY1 ,EMPIRE WORKS ?R\< SUBJECTION & ! ACCUMULATION ( P[]LESSNESS4 ,BACK$ BY VIOL5CE1 ITS PROMISES ( HAPP9ESS WORK LIKE AN ANES!TIC1 CLOS+ SUBJECTS (F FROM TRANS=MATION4 ,JOY IS ! GR[? ( AN EMBODI$ ?9K+ & DO+ ?AT UNDOES ?IS /IFL+ SUBJECTION4 

,9 ,*APT] #b WE LOOK AT H[ ,EMPIRE MA9TA9S ITS HOLD ?R\< MORALITY & TOXIC RELATION%IPS4 ,AS AN ALT]NATIVE TO ! FALSE *OICE BETWE5 DUTY-B\ND MORALISM OR ISOLAT$ 9DIVIDUALISM1 WE RECOV] A CONCEPTION ( RELATIONAL E?ICS FROM ! ,SP9OZAN CURR5T4 ,9 CONV]SATION ) O!RS1 WE USE ?IS RELATIONAL E?ICS TO ?9K ?R\< ! POT5TIALS & PITFALLS ( ALLIANCES ACROSS ! SETTL] COLONIAL DIVIDE & O!R =MS ( OPPRESSION1 SUGGE/+ ?AT ,EMPIRE'S HOLD IS UNDONE BY SELECTIVE OP5NESS1 FI]CE B\ND>IES1 & NEW & OLD =MS ( K9%IP & FRI5D%IP4 

,WE DEEP5 ?IS RELATIONAL E?ICS 9 ,*APT] #c1 >GU+ ?AT JOYFUL MILITANCY IS SU/A9$ BY EM]G5T VALUES--COMMON NOTIONS--( TRU/ & RESPONSIBILITY4 ,WE SUGGE/ ?AT !SE CAPACITIES HAVE BE5 /OL5 FROM US BY =C$ DEP5D5CE ON ,EMPIRE'S 9FRA/RUCTURES & 9/ITUTIONS1 :I* MONOPOLIZE ! WAYS WE LIVE & DIE TOGE!R4 ,DRAW+ ON /ORIES FROM TRANS=MATIVE JU/ICE1 Y\? LIB]ATION1 & ,9DIG5\S RESURG5CE1 WE LOOK AT SOME ( ! WAYS PEOPLE >E ABLE TO UNDO ?IS DEP5D5CE & FIGURE ?+S \T TOGE!R4 

,*APT]S #d & #e TRACK ! WAYS ?AT ,EMPIRE HAS SEEP$ 9TO RADICAL MOVEM5TS & SPACES4 ,ATTEMPTS TO ROOT \T ,EMPIRE HAVE P>ADOXICALLY FUEL$ SOME ( ITS MO/ DEBILITAT+ T5D5CIES1 9CLUD+ SUSPICION1 MORALISM1 RIGIDITY1 & %AME1 TURN+ RADICAL POLITICS 9TO A COMPETITIVE P]=MANCE RA!R ?AN A %>$ & 5ABL+ PROCESS4 ,9 ,*APT] #e WE TELL ?REE TANGL$ /ORIES AB\T ! HI/ORICAL EM]G5CE ( RIGID RADICALISM1 LOOK+ AT ! WAY IDEOLOGY HAS P]MEAT$ ,M>XISM1 AN>*ISM1 & O!R MOVEM5TS2 H[ S*OOL+ HAS PROMOT$ A P>ANOID SE>* = FLAWS & LIMITATIONS2 & H[ MORALISM CROPS UP 9 RADICAL SPACES1 LEAD+ TO GUILT1 %AME1 & PURITANISM4 ,9 EA* ( !SE /ORIES1 WE TRY TO %[ H[ RIGID RADICALISM IS CON/ANTLY BE+ UNDONE & W>D$ (F BY O!R WAYS ( BE+1 E?ICAL RESPONSIV5ESS1 /RONG RELATION%IPS1 & COMMON NOTIONS4 

,ULTIMATELY1 WE WANT JOYFUL MILITANCY TO BE AB\T QUE/IONS & CURIOSITY1 NOT FIX$ ANSW]S OR 9/RUCTIONS4 ,9 ?IS SPIRIT WE HOPE ?AT ?IS BOOK CONTRIBUTES TO ONGO+ CONV]SATIONS1 & ?AT IT SUPPORTS PEOPLE 9 FIGUR+ \T = !MSELVES :AT ?RIV+ RESI/ANCE LOOKS LIKE1 & H[ RIGIDITY & /AGNATION CAN BE W>D$ (F4 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,FEBRU>Y #a#d1 #bba 3 ,9TRODUCTION -- ,ADD$4 

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