Give Up Activism

Description

This text is a classic critique of “activism” written in the wake of the June 18, 1999 actions against capitalism and the emerging politics of anti-capitalist/anti-globalization protest for the Do or Die Magazine. Despite its age, it provides important insights into the way in which many radicals and anarchists adopt the role and identity of the “activist”. As a consequence, they adopt the forms of “activism” uncritically. In so doing, the text argues that radicals cut themselves off from the population, marginalize their struggles, conceive of themselves as experts, and engage on a symbolic and ineffective terrain.

This zine also includes a postscript to the original text in which the authors engage with feedback that they received to the original text, further clarifying and expanding on their original ideas.

This remains a thought-provoking text that offers important reflections on radical practice. Unfortunately, many of the attitudes and practices in the text remain features of contemporary anarchist and radical activity.