ash_attack
November 13th, 2008, 11:50 AM
So, I wrote this essay yesterday for my 11th grade English class... I started at around 5pm and finished at 1am... (This time includes research and the actual writing of the paper, which I began at 10:30 pm) Anyway, enjoy. I think it's rather interesting. Feel free to read and reply!
ANARCHISM: Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit
If one confessed to you that they were an anarchist, what would flash through your mind? It is a generalization that neo-Nazi punks sporting swastika stamped lapels, those who blast The Sex Pistols from over-sized head phones, and the violent vandalizers of paint-cracked bathroom stalls are the true anarchists. However, in the 19th century the word “anarchist” was not regarded with a cringe, but with a surge of pride and pleasure; a feeling it should be regarded with today.
What is Anarchism? Anarcha-feminist Emma Goldman provided the world a proper definition of Anarchism in her essay “Anarchy: What it Really Stands For.” She states that anarchism is “the philosophy of a new social order based on liberty unrestricted by man-made law; the theory that all forms of government rest on violence, and are therefore wrong and harmful as well as unnecessary.” Furthermore, as William Godwin adds, it is a belief in which “discrimination on any grounds is intolerable.” Even with this summary of Anarchism, there are endless forms of anarchy ranging from the believable to the absurd. Despite this, however, I feel that Individualist Anarchism, along with a compilation of some anarchist views of other categories, would be fit for our modern nation.
For those who do not agree, take in to account the many famous anarchists you have unknowingly revered: Henry David Thoreau, Jean-Jacques Rousseau of the French Revolution, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Unlike modern belief, anarchy is not an action, but a philosophy encouraging direct action against oppressors in the form of religion, property, and State. Therefore the word or essence of anarchy should not be feared, for it is only the separation of the individual from man-made laws so they may graduate to a state where they are unbound by wages and worry and may indulge in doing only what they love and what is best for the individual, whether it be selfish or social. Some speculate that human nature can be inclined toward evil or that because of our natures
Anarchism would fail, ending in violence and annihilation. However, what can be said of human nature, when true human nature has not been properly observed? In our oppression, are we not more like machine than man? Without the strongholds of certain institutions, could human nature not be peaceful and inclined toward good?
As Goldman states, religion is “the dominion of the human mind… man can have all the glories of earth, but he must not become conscious of himself.” Religion is but the compressed belief that humans are undeserving, that they are nothing, and a supreme being is everything. Religion is but the self-esteem of man withered and steaming from self-torment and the quest for divine absolution. Religion is but the barrier that stands between enslavement and Shangri-la. However, Anarchism and religion can coexist; in fact, many religious movements have been founded on anarchistic beliefs. For example, Christian anarchists take into account Jesus’ words- “Kings and governors have dominion over men; let there be none like that among you.” Here we can observe Jesus’ very anarchistic views, that we should not be ruled by the State, which is viewed, as Anarchist Fact explains, as “usurping God’s authority and it is up to each individual to govern themselves and discover that the Kingdom of God is within them.” However, why is it that man must have law outside of nature? Why is it that we need a supreme being in control? Even without God, the chips fall as they may. Who needs the rapture and the fire consuming the earth, when Man can clearly destroy Earth all on his own? Our system and our technology is at fault for our crisis, our cars ripping holes in our environment, our government eating away at our economy as a fat, round worm munches absentmindedly at a green leaf till it is dead and wrought with crisp, brown edges. My final thought on the matter of religion is described best by Emma Goldman, who says, “ Religion! How it dominates man’s mind, how it humiliates and degrades his soul. God is everything, man is nothing, says religion. But out of that nothing God has created a kingdom so despotic, so tyrannical, so cruel, so terribly exacting that naught but gloom and tears and blood have ruled the world since gods began.”
I am the admitted owner of many things, as a typical American teen would in turn confess also. However, the idea of Anarchism is that property represents dominion of human needs, and thus with technology rampant as war we are bowing to our possessions, face down and so blinded by our worship we do not see these devices dictating our lives. As technology advances, human needs seem to increase! I have witnessed tears enough to supply countries plagued by drought over a snapped cell phone, a cracked I Pod. Yet these devices are but hindrances, for they demand our attention, our way of thinking, and encourage the Orwellian nightmare of a limited vocabulary therefore limited ability to revolutionize. Property is but Man’s gluttonous pursuit of more materials equals more wealth equals more power. For Americans assuming our system is fair, if all is fair, why then do people slave in factories producing materials they never see outside of work, material they never reap the benefits of? And for such poor wages that they must stress over finances at home? Why is it that life itself must be a fulltime job of acquiring and keeping property? Anarchism is but the belief that one should indulge in occupations they consider as desirable as an artist would his paints and reap the success and pride one feels after each accomplished masterpiece. Goldman’s thoughts: “Real wealth consists of things of utility and beauty, in things that help to create strong, beautiful bodies and surroundings inspiring to live in.”
There exist few modern thinkers who consider government helpful outside protection of property and monopoly. However, many also believe government maintains social order, harmony, and the reduction of crime. When it comes to crime, I must agree wholeheartedly with Emma Goldman, who states that, “Crime is naught but misdirected energy. So long as every institution of today, economic, political, social, and moral, conspires to misdirect human energy into wrong channels; so long as most people are out of place doing the things they hate to do, living a life they loathe to live, crime will be inevitable, and all the laws on the statutes can only increase, but never do away with, crime.” Also, when it comes to the use of the government conserving social order and harmony, Goldman argues that, “In a society where those who always work never have anything, while those who never work enjoy everything, solidarity of interests is nonexistent; hence social harmony is but a myth.” This nation in magazines, on silver screens, and typed officially on its mask is wealthy; but life as I have known it and life as some lonely, gray streets have remembered says all but that they feel harmonious, free, and equal. The State has divided us by creating wealth and therefore creating classes that the rich may look down upon others snobbishly, and that the poor may bow their heads in shame. The government has watched our economy crumble while doing little more than rocking back on its heels, has watched our brothers burn in foreign countries, and our citizens drown on our own land! What good is a government so slow, so cautious, that they would not pull our brothers from the flames and save our citizens form predicted nature? Direct action, we anarchists call for, we oppressed citizens call for, and yet silence is all that answers us. Anarchism is not chaos, but that call answered swiftly and efficiently.
To conclude, Anarchism should not be related to the punk-spoiled, raped form it is misinterpreted as, but the virgin and true form that is right for our society, others’ society, and the whole of the world. Without religion, there is self-worth. Without property, there is self-reliance. Without government, there is real wealth and equality. Without oppression, there is PEACE!
ANARCHISM: Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit
If one confessed to you that they were an anarchist, what would flash through your mind? It is a generalization that neo-Nazi punks sporting swastika stamped lapels, those who blast The Sex Pistols from over-sized head phones, and the violent vandalizers of paint-cracked bathroom stalls are the true anarchists. However, in the 19th century the word “anarchist” was not regarded with a cringe, but with a surge of pride and pleasure; a feeling it should be regarded with today.
What is Anarchism? Anarcha-feminist Emma Goldman provided the world a proper definition of Anarchism in her essay “Anarchy: What it Really Stands For.” She states that anarchism is “the philosophy of a new social order based on liberty unrestricted by man-made law; the theory that all forms of government rest on violence, and are therefore wrong and harmful as well as unnecessary.” Furthermore, as William Godwin adds, it is a belief in which “discrimination on any grounds is intolerable.” Even with this summary of Anarchism, there are endless forms of anarchy ranging from the believable to the absurd. Despite this, however, I feel that Individualist Anarchism, along with a compilation of some anarchist views of other categories, would be fit for our modern nation.
For those who do not agree, take in to account the many famous anarchists you have unknowingly revered: Henry David Thoreau, Jean-Jacques Rousseau of the French Revolution, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Unlike modern belief, anarchy is not an action, but a philosophy encouraging direct action against oppressors in the form of religion, property, and State. Therefore the word or essence of anarchy should not be feared, for it is only the separation of the individual from man-made laws so they may graduate to a state where they are unbound by wages and worry and may indulge in doing only what they love and what is best for the individual, whether it be selfish or social. Some speculate that human nature can be inclined toward evil or that because of our natures
Anarchism would fail, ending in violence and annihilation. However, what can be said of human nature, when true human nature has not been properly observed? In our oppression, are we not more like machine than man? Without the strongholds of certain institutions, could human nature not be peaceful and inclined toward good?
As Goldman states, religion is “the dominion of the human mind… man can have all the glories of earth, but he must not become conscious of himself.” Religion is but the compressed belief that humans are undeserving, that they are nothing, and a supreme being is everything. Religion is but the self-esteem of man withered and steaming from self-torment and the quest for divine absolution. Religion is but the barrier that stands between enslavement and Shangri-la. However, Anarchism and religion can coexist; in fact, many religious movements have been founded on anarchistic beliefs. For example, Christian anarchists take into account Jesus’ words- “Kings and governors have dominion over men; let there be none like that among you.” Here we can observe Jesus’ very anarchistic views, that we should not be ruled by the State, which is viewed, as Anarchist Fact explains, as “usurping God’s authority and it is up to each individual to govern themselves and discover that the Kingdom of God is within them.” However, why is it that man must have law outside of nature? Why is it that we need a supreme being in control? Even without God, the chips fall as they may. Who needs the rapture and the fire consuming the earth, when Man can clearly destroy Earth all on his own? Our system and our technology is at fault for our crisis, our cars ripping holes in our environment, our government eating away at our economy as a fat, round worm munches absentmindedly at a green leaf till it is dead and wrought with crisp, brown edges. My final thought on the matter of religion is described best by Emma Goldman, who says, “ Religion! How it dominates man’s mind, how it humiliates and degrades his soul. God is everything, man is nothing, says religion. But out of that nothing God has created a kingdom so despotic, so tyrannical, so cruel, so terribly exacting that naught but gloom and tears and blood have ruled the world since gods began.”
I am the admitted owner of many things, as a typical American teen would in turn confess also. However, the idea of Anarchism is that property represents dominion of human needs, and thus with technology rampant as war we are bowing to our possessions, face down and so blinded by our worship we do not see these devices dictating our lives. As technology advances, human needs seem to increase! I have witnessed tears enough to supply countries plagued by drought over a snapped cell phone, a cracked I Pod. Yet these devices are but hindrances, for they demand our attention, our way of thinking, and encourage the Orwellian nightmare of a limited vocabulary therefore limited ability to revolutionize. Property is but Man’s gluttonous pursuit of more materials equals more wealth equals more power. For Americans assuming our system is fair, if all is fair, why then do people slave in factories producing materials they never see outside of work, material they never reap the benefits of? And for such poor wages that they must stress over finances at home? Why is it that life itself must be a fulltime job of acquiring and keeping property? Anarchism is but the belief that one should indulge in occupations they consider as desirable as an artist would his paints and reap the success and pride one feels after each accomplished masterpiece. Goldman’s thoughts: “Real wealth consists of things of utility and beauty, in things that help to create strong, beautiful bodies and surroundings inspiring to live in.”
There exist few modern thinkers who consider government helpful outside protection of property and monopoly. However, many also believe government maintains social order, harmony, and the reduction of crime. When it comes to crime, I must agree wholeheartedly with Emma Goldman, who states that, “Crime is naught but misdirected energy. So long as every institution of today, economic, political, social, and moral, conspires to misdirect human energy into wrong channels; so long as most people are out of place doing the things they hate to do, living a life they loathe to live, crime will be inevitable, and all the laws on the statutes can only increase, but never do away with, crime.” Also, when it comes to the use of the government conserving social order and harmony, Goldman argues that, “In a society where those who always work never have anything, while those who never work enjoy everything, solidarity of interests is nonexistent; hence social harmony is but a myth.” This nation in magazines, on silver screens, and typed officially on its mask is wealthy; but life as I have known it and life as some lonely, gray streets have remembered says all but that they feel harmonious, free, and equal. The State has divided us by creating wealth and therefore creating classes that the rich may look down upon others snobbishly, and that the poor may bow their heads in shame. The government has watched our economy crumble while doing little more than rocking back on its heels, has watched our brothers burn in foreign countries, and our citizens drown on our own land! What good is a government so slow, so cautious, that they would not pull our brothers from the flames and save our citizens form predicted nature? Direct action, we anarchists call for, we oppressed citizens call for, and yet silence is all that answers us. Anarchism is not chaos, but that call answered swiftly and efficiently.
To conclude, Anarchism should not be related to the punk-spoiled, raped form it is misinterpreted as, but the virgin and true form that is right for our society, others’ society, and the whole of the world. Without religion, there is self-worth. Without property, there is self-reliance. Without government, there is real wealth and equality. Without oppression, there is PEACE!