Apart from vague dreams of living in Spain (near Barcelona), I really don't think I'll be relocating any time soon, esp with school-age kids in tow. Fact is, there are assholes everywhere. When I lived in Manhattan, I schmoozed with all manner of clever, upper-crust folk, Ivy Leaguers, Hamptonites, professional writers and actors, activists, academics, and in general the type of people "average" citizens only read about, to the extent that they do. And save for a few exceptions, the bulk of the intelligent crowd is pretty insufferable, self-absorbed, petty, bitter and mean. I always thought, growing up in the Midwest and dreaming of the day when I'd move to the Apple, that this was the crowd for me; that it would take me beyond the cud-chewing morons of my youth and bring me to a place of true learning and deep understanding. Well, it did put me in touch with some decent books and fine music, but that was pretty much it.
Now, back in the Midwest, I see what I missed the first time around -- common folk open to new ideas and wanting to get past the official version of events. Not that this is widespread, but where it does exist, at least in my direct experience, it appears genuine. I was in central Indiana for a wedding last weekend, and the night before I hung out with a relative's gang of buds in his driveway, drinking beer and shooting shit. They were all right-wing Repubs, a real Rush gang, so there was pro-war whooping, Dixie Chick bashing, and overall hatred of li'bruls. I stood there, took it in, waited for an opening, and when it came I gently went against the tide (such as it was) and made them think about their casual statements. One by one they sort of backed off, shrugged their shoulders, looked for and didn't find an alternate argument. Using what persuasion I possess, I made a couple actually rethink what they said. The high-fiving jive-ass frat boy braying cooled, and I could see that while they still held the same beliefs, they took the challenge to their beliefs seriously. As my relative said afterward as we opened an ice cold bottle of Stoli, these guys aren't used to being pushed in their thinking, and however uncomfortable it made them feel, they were open to it. And this was with the very people this list blasts everyday. Who knows what could happen if we talk to those not so far right?
DP
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This has a familiar ring--even the 'hoity-toity' bashing. Yes, it's good to hear and know these things. I've been talking to working (as opposed to employing) people for years AND I do think that talking to them has some impact. However, as I've said before, I agree with Zizek: there is an active embrace of ignorance going on and it occurs not only in the USA but all over the planet. It seems to trump reason--at least in the short term. You can tell people the truth and even if it conflicts with the dominant ideological feeling of the time, they can even accept it for awhile, if they are the least bit sophisticated. But then, they quickly put it in the back of their minds. It's what I'd term, the 'natural conservatism' of the human race--even the oppressed sections.
To get some distance on the issue, look at what is going on now in Kirkuk. Kurds are coming back--with a vengence. They had been ousted from their homes by the Hussein regime and their homes had been given to loyal Arabs. Now, the Kurds are throwing their political weight around, up to and including property spats with the Arabs and Turkmen who live in the area.
Why?
They are now the victors. The oppressed become the oppresssors. When people think that they have power, they to support 'their power'. Never mind that they are 'only pawns in the game'. It's always easierier to be a cheerleader when 'your' team is ahead.
The core question, IMO, is *why* does the working class NOT respond to the many and varied messages which it has received over the years to revolt and establish their own rule?
And further, HOW do we break through this psychological armour?
Lenin was attempting to deal with this issue in 1902 when he wrote: WHAT IS TO BE DONE?. AS we have seen, his answer was not totally satisfactory. That's not just because Bolshevik revolutionary thrust was never been able to establish a communist society, it also has a lot to do with the proles own ability to set up their councils by themselves back in 1905, without Party approval.
Best, Mike B)
===== ***************************************************************** "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
Benjamin Franklin
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