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The ideal of anarchism is a society in which all individuals can do whatever they choose, except interfere with the ability of other individuals to do what they choose. This ideal is called anarchy, from the Greek anarchia, meaning absence of government.
Anarchists do not suppose that all people are altruistic, or wise, or good, or identical, or perfectible, or any romantic nonsense of that kind. They believe that a society without coercive institutions is feasible, within the repertoire of natural, imperfect, human behaviour.
Anarchists do not “lay down blueprints for the free society”. There are science-fiction stories and other fantasies in which anarchies are imagined, but they are not prescribed. Any society which does not include coercive institutions will meet the anarchist objective.
Of course, the feasibility of anarchy cannot be certainly proved. “Is anarchy practicable?”, is a hypothetical question, which cannot be answered for certain, unless and until anarchy exists. But the question, “Is anarchy worth striving for?”, is an ethical question, and to this every anarchist will certainly answer yes.
(From What is Anarchism?)
Some excellent introductions to Anarchism:
- Life Without Law – Margaret Killjoy
- Are You An Anarchist? The Answer May Surprise You! – David Graeber
- From Democracy to Freedom – CrimethInc
Click here for all our zine recommendations covering a variety of topics.
Empowered Self-Education
Never Stop Learning
We have gathered just a few of the resources out there on some high-level concepts and specific terms that we think are important to think about and begin to understand. This page can help add momentum and guidance to your journey through the collaborative library that is the internet.
Ableism:
- “Stupid” is an Ableist Slur: Breaking Down Defenses Around Ableist Language & Liberating Our Words
- Everyday Ableism and How We Can Avoid It
Call Ins/Outs; Handling being called out
- Calling In: A Quick Guide on When and How
- 3 Things To Consider When Choosing Between Calling Someone Out Or Calling Them In
- Getting Called Out: Why Acknowledging Oppression Matters More Than Your Hurt Feelings
- On being an ally and being called out on your privilege
- How to Deal with Who People Don’t Realize They’re Being Offensive
Classism:
- About Class
- Why Does Class Matter?
- Middle Class Privilege
- The Everyday Comments Revealing Classism in Activist Communities
Cultural Appropriation:
- What, Exactly, Is Cultural Appropriation (And How Is It Harmful)?
- What Is Cultural Appropriation? When Is it Wrong to “Borrow” From Another Culture?
- Cultural Appropriation Is, In Fact, Indefensible
Cybersecurity:
- https://cldc.org/organizing-resources/security-recommendations/
- https://cldc.org/category/security/
- What Is Security Culture?
- How to stay safe online: A cybersecurity guide for political activists
- https://www.cldc.org/organizing-resources/digital-security-culture/
- https://www.cldc.org/organizing-resources/
Emotional Labor:
- 50 Ways People Expect Constant Emotional Labor from Women and Femmes
- Emotional Labor: What It Is and How To Do It
Immigrant Rights:
General Web Resources:
- www.theanarchistlibrary.org
- www.thebodyisnotanapology.com
- www.everydayfeminism.com
- www.filmsforaction.org/
- www.godsandradicals.org
Gaslighting:
- Gaslighting: The Mind Game That Everyone Should Know About
- 10 Things I’ve Learned About Gaslighting As An Abuse Tactic
Gender & LGBTQA:
- LGBTQIA Resource Center Glossary
- Understanding Gender
- 3 Examples of Everyday Cissexism
- Breaking through the binary: Gender explained using continuums
- Understanding gender diversity: sex and gender are not the same thing
- Understanding the Changing Landscape of Gender Identity
Intersectionality:
- “There is no Hierarchy of Oppressions”
- “We’re all just different!” How Intersectionality is Being Colonized by White People
Mental Health & Self-Care:
- 5 Ways to Help Your Friend If They Have Been Triggered
- Self-Care & Activism | Suggestions for Alleviating Burnout
- Self-Care Among Activists Is a Public Health Issue
Microaggressions:
Mutual Aid:
Patriarchy:
- Language, Gender, and Patriarchy
- 160+ Examples of Male Privilege in All Areas of Life
- 10 Types of Misogynist Men We All Need to Know About – And Then Call Out!
- Understanding Patriarchy (online zine, pdf)
- Challenging Male Supremacy (zine)
Process (Praxis):
- Articles on Consensus
- Consent vs. Consensus
- Decision Making (advice process)
Racism:
- Anarchism, a History of Anti-Racism
- Why We’re at War With Ourselves: Understanding Racism as an Introduction to Psychology
- Ted Talks to help you understand racism in America
- Know your history: Understanding racism in the US
Security Culture:
- https://cldc.org/organizing-resources/security-recommendations/
- https://cldc.org/category/security/
- What Is Security Culture? (crimethinc)
Solidarity:
- Charity versus Solidarity (definitions)
- Charity vs. Solidarity
(Dismantling) White supremacy, for white people:
- Abolish Whiteness
- White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack (online pdf)
- Stop Your White Fragility – It’s Racial Violence and Here’s Why
- Stop kidding yourself, white people are racist
- Explaining White Privilege To A Broke White Person
- Understanding and Dismantling Racism: A Booklist for White Readers