Time for Positive Activism

Now is the time to focus on positive changes. We should continue to be critical of imperialism and transnational capitalism and social and economic injustices, but 80% of our time should be spent advocating and actually implementing positive change. We need to have very specific demands and strategies, taking a predominately offensive approach. Otherwise, we will lose. With increasing global conflict, the looming threat of a large scale war, being positive may seem like a daunting or virtually impossible task. Even so, we must take the high ground, and provide the average person with a united sense of purpose and direction.

Many common sense initiatives can be actively pursued anywhere on the planet that will increase social and economic welfare of people. Many such initiatives will cost very little, and will in part lead to a more just and appropriate model of human behavior.

One example that I frequently use is urban agriculture and the use of public parks and derelict space for the common good. In virtually every city on this planet, humanity has made a preference for ornamental and largely useless plants and bushes in parks and on boulevards and has planted grasses everywhere - on residential, private and public land. The potential for urban space to be used more effectively to benefit the community is immense. Imagine thousands of mango and olive trees throughout Cairo, hundreds of fruit and nut trees surrounding the Washington monument, or fig trees at Mecca. Gardens can be planted everywhere. In Rome, for instance, there are hundreds of derelict little parks that could be used by the community to grow a bountiful supply of herbs, fruits and vegetables, medicinal plants, or whatever meets the needs of the community living around it, the entire year.

This kind of activism is rewarding and positive. It has direct and immediate benefits, and it is unlikely to face a great deal of opposition.

I encourage you to think of and concentrate your efforts on other positive ideas. Start a pirate radio station or a bike repair collective, join or start a collective theater, or whatever suits your particular interests.

arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)