On 15 Mar 2002 at 21:42, matthew X wrote:
> Community attitudes to anarchists range from impractical utopians to
> terrorist ogres who eat babies brains for breakfast. Few if any positive
> stereotypes exist within communities about anarchists and anarchist
> objectives and strategies. Working within such a milieu can sap the energy
> of even the most dedicated activist. The climate created by such negative
> stereotypes, can and does wear away at the confidence we have in ourselves,
> our ideas, our objectives and strategies.
> In such a negative environment it9s important we don9t begin to become the
> stereotypes other people have created for us and our movement. Time and
> time again, anarchists movements have taken on the characteristics that the
> community has created for them, carrying out actions that reinforce those
> negative stereotypes. It9s important we don9t let other people define who
> we are and what we stand for. We are the only ones who can and should
> define our ideas, goals, objectives and strategies. Letting the State, the
> corporate sector or community do this for us is a dead end one way journey
> to oblivion.
> At the end of the day confidence is everything, not a confidence based on
> superiority, but a confidence based on knowledge, that we as individuals and
> as members of a movement have something to offer those communities we live
> and work in. Anarchism is an inclusive ideology that ultimately relies on
> mass participation. It is the only ideology that honestly and genuinely
> welcomes participation. It9s strength lies in its ability to tap into the
> under-utilised resources of individuals and communities.
> Even in a negative environment, it9s possible to maintain our integrity in
> ourselves and our ideas. Whether we succeed or fail, will ultimately depend
> on the strength of our ideas, our understanding of these ideas and our
> ability to maintain confidence in these ideas irrespective of the hostile
> environment we find ourselves in.
