Culture is Our Relationship to the Earth

Culture, in the modern context, often gets reduced to "arts" and literature and exoticized material production like clothing and spiritual items. This is limiting and dangerous as it allows those in the throes of modernity to sidestep equitable considerations of nature, land and people, allowing corporate control of lives and livelihoods, of land and commodified resources, making profane the sacred.

Culture is a dynamic of wholistic and integrated relationship between all things, between humans and their immediate environment, the land, nature and each other.  Modern industrial colonial society is anti-cultural and exploits and destroys the "naturo-spiritual (human) dynamic" that has defined human presence on Earth for over 3 million years. This is dangerous to all life as colonial capitalist control destroys earth and its ecosystems and organic human cultural relations.

Culture, to be progressive and positively transformative again, must be organic and based in right relationship to land, nature, peoples' basic and expanded human needs and All That Is.  Spirit is part of culture.  Animals and plants are part of culture. The Earth Her/Himself is part of culture. Any reduction, disintegration or dissolution of these interrrelationships is anti-culture, destructive and ultimately a negative expression of human potentiality.

Racism Is Not Prejudice + Hate

I was just pondering on the use of the word 'hate' with regard to racism. It always strikes me as incomplete as it refers to someone's feelings, not their ability to directly and negatively influence my life. Whether a person hates me is not the immediate issue.  Whether they can and do exert negative and destructive force and influence in my life, community and environment IS. 

Racism includes feelings in its vile mix, on the side of the oppressed and the oppressor, the marginalized and the privileged, the target(s) and the agent(s) of racism, but how we feel is not the primary element that affects the lives of people daily harmed by the effects and outcomes of  racism. 

Sitting in your house hating me is one thing. Sitting in your house while a group of police officers in militarized cars that you helped pay for out of the ongoing profit you extract from stolen land and resources looks for people who look like me (an African person) to harrass, detain and incarcerate is a whole other thing.

Racism IS a power dynamic, a control mechanism, a function of material and energetic exploitation that is de-energized when physical (police, military, technology) means of exerting power are pulled out of the mix, the complex of systems and structures that define this pathological and cancerous anti-social surreality...when European/white and male and other privileges and abuse are dismantled and consciously and exuberantly given up.

Racism IS prejudice plus power, not prejudice plus how someone feels about someone else.  Racism and sexism are structural, systemic, dependent on troubled and imbalanced people to actively (consciously or unconsciously) apply their life force to diminish the life force of others.

It may be ultimately appropriate to advocate for and promote the expansion of love in the world (also a work of systemic transformation, not just interpersonal romanticism ), but it is not directly helpful to continue to assert that we are in a battle with hate. We are in a struggle to observe, see, assess and transform interrelationships of power and control, of groups of people's ability and seemingly comfortable willingness to continue to exert destructive anti-cultural, inhuman "wetiko" (Jack Forbes) power and influence over other groups of peoples.

I was pondering that today.

Racism at Home and Abroad: Julius Malema Draws a Line In the Azanian Soil Against White Supremacy

There is much here for Europeans, Africans and others in USAmerica to consider. To miss the possible linkages between racism and white supremacy in Azania/South Africa and the USAmerica would be to miss how racism works at all,  that it is not just a domestic issue between individuals, not just transient transactions of "hate". Racism works in a context of nationalized and internationalized/globalized power.

In north America we must acknowledge and struggle for alliance with the indigenous peoples whose lives were/are so seriously affected by European colonialism and the racist structures it developed. The ongoing genocide and oppression of indigenous peoples is central to the empowerment of European/white supremacy and racism in Canada, the USAmerica (and Hawaii), Mexico and beyond. In Azania, Africans are the indigenous people. This is an important distinction, not an inert nuance. We must be able to see how racism obscures the struggle to understand the negative and the liberating relationships to land and culture.

Here, Malema calls racism out and draws a line that must be drawn everywhere....if we are serious about freedom and justice. Notice the similarity in the European reactions/responses to strong statements of self-determination by Africans in South Africa or Africans and others in USAmerica,  i.e., Black Lives Matter etc... Racism/white supremacy has global intentions and global effects.

From the article:

""We will never tolerate white supremacy, racism. Down with racism, down!”

Malema is the only party leader in South Africa thus far who has boldly spoken to and challenged the ongoing problem of racism in our society. His call for the dismantling of racist institutions and practice in South Africa is a promise to people who have been directly affected by pervasive white supremacy that this issue is high on their party’s agenda.

“We will not be speaking this reconciliation nonsense, which only perpetuates white supremacy,” he assured the masses of largely economically disenfranchised followers gathered in the streets of Sandton.

Many white people responded to Malema’s anti-racism utterances on social media by denying being white supremacists or racists.

They said Malema is irrational and aggressive and he is speaking only about the right wing supremacists that are aggressively racist towards Black folk in South Africa but painting all whites with the same brush. Instead of seeing his utterances as pro-equality, they said his discourse is “anti-white” and claimed he was being unfair to them.

Except he is not. Malema’s forthright challenge to white people about personal lateral and systemic racism is the truth that resonates with those on the receiving end of it.

This should not be overlooked by white South Africans.

Instead it should be seen as an opportunity by us to examine how racism and whiteness are intertwined and how this has thwarted authentic transformation and egalitarianism in South Africa."

http://www.africanglobe.net/africa/malema-whites-south-africa-join-struggle/

A People Subjected to Trauma...

A person subjected to trauma, like physical violence, emotional abuse or rape, by another person will never seek or find empowerment and liberation from that trauma by staying in the ideological or even the physical context of that other person.  Likewise, one would think that Africans would not look to or provide sustenance to the colonial system, European conceptions of divinity or exploitative, but normalized relationships with nature.

Land, Culture and Settler Consciousness

People's culture and strength is tied to land. Native American cultural strength is tied to Turtle Island/North America. European cultural strength is not tied to North America as it is an oppressive presence, not one of oneness with the earth or nature OR the original people here. Remember, Europeans were originally welcomed here, but they forsook that welcome because they came as christian dominators, not allies or humble tenants. They systematized genocide and holocaust in North and South America and Africa and beyond. So how can their children, who still benefit wildly from that original oppressive crime wave, claim to have some ethical, political, social connection to this land? The math doesn't add up unless you steep yourself in the groundless fantasy of christian Manifest Destiny/Doctrine of Discovery, "cowboys and Indians/western movie narratives and bulls**t "American exceptionalism" fantasies. On another level, settler colonists, most of the people living in USAmerica/Canada are leeching off the death, genocide and current oppression of First Nations/Native American peoples....real humans that are alive now who still remember their Ancestors who were terrorized to death then in true ruthless fashion....by people with bibles and crosses. The only way forward is to decolonize, to engage in anti-colonial social change and act like real, intelligent, informed ethical adults. Part of this transformation will be the shift of non-Native populations and individuals from settler-colonists to settlers. Settler-colonists live in privilege based on the historical and current theft of land, indigenous cultural destruction and rampant, destructive exploitation of land, nature and resources. A major element of the oppressive settler-colonial presence is the sustenance of dominator, colonizer ideology most currently expressed in the concepts of "patriotism", "american exceptionalism" and "christian religious privilege", the presumptive diminance of "G-O-D" and the culture from which the dominant ideas about that mythological deity emanate. Settlers consciousness comes into play in a much more ethical and intelligent way, defining a new egalitarian, respectful relationship with the indigenous nations, their members and the political and cultural endeavors and aspirations of those nations, including the honoring of treaties made between these indigenous nations and the settler-colonial governments of Canada and the United States of America. Becoming a settler is a radical project, challenges many, if not most of the ideological tenets of industrial corporatocracy and is absolutely necessary to the idea and work of living in correct relationship to Mother/Father Earth, nature and all its now fleeting tenants.

Otherness and Unity: One Earth, One Humanity

One of the key premises of this work is the principled dissollution of "otherness" of indigenous peoples in the minds and actions of "disintegrated", digitized, industrialized, mechanized modern citizens while holding the delicate balance of respect, validation and allyship without the domination ethics of (mis)appropriation and cultural theft.  It is the firm belief and experience of this writer that every disintegrated [1] human has a direct path back and forward to their own indigeny, true sense of identity and profound sense of purpose as a spiritual energetic embodied in human form.  This innerstanding also gives rise to a fundamental and profound awareness that inherent in this premise, this meta-cultural context is a key to conceptualizing and manifesting a (possibly) new conception of global unity and harmonious life based upon the work and sense of unity and real solidarity within the worldwide organization and organizations and organizing of indigenous peoples and nations, work that it is strongly suggested represents a basic and necessary model for universal human and cultural interelationship, sustained working relationships with Mother/Father Earth and Her/His profound gifts (natural resources) to Her/His children (human and otherwise) and the path back and forward to a global cultural production that is based on a fundamental and informed understanding and embrace of the material and energetic realities that have come into human awareness over the last 3 to 6 million years (no small thing).

[1] Disintegrated is one of the terms used to describe privileged modern, industrial people generally living in cities (but not limited to that environment) in colonial or settler-colonial countries (I.e., USAmerica, Canada, England).  This term refers to the dangerous level to which these people have been dis-integrated from their Ancestral cultural roots and their historical indigenous heritage which generally for most peoples included a close and functional integration with nature and Spirit.

Knowings in my bones...(#4)

In the context of a concerted (understatement) effort on the part of evangelical and roamin catholic christians (amongst others) to spread the ideology and culture of christianity to every continent and nation and all the peoples of the world - and have them summarily accept that missionary position, it is more than reasonable to deeply and constantly question the conditions, process and effects of that imperial proposition, along with vehemently resisting the assumptive necessity of same, particularly with respect to the presence of the christian missionary and evangelical message 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 366 days a year on all platforms and modes of media communications, through myriad social and political channels and with the tacit support of the dominant culture giving it validation, moral and financial support to the tune of billions and billions of dollars.

Translation:
Don't question people for challenging missionaries and evangelizers who have way more money and time to push their shaky, narrow, privileged message on the whole world.

Columbus Day Sale Business Boycott

This is a call to a general boycott of any and all companies, businesses and corporations that enact sales and promotions in the name of the oppression, genocide and colonialism embodied in the name and legacy of Criminal Columbus.  

Because of the serious and profound nature of Criminal Columbus's legacy and how it has negatively and profoundly affected the cultures and peoples of the Western Hemisphere and Africa directly and the rest of the world also, the organizations that exploit this opportunist's name and legacy must know that this  exploitation does not come without a price of its own.  

We must not allow Criminal Columbus' legacy of violence, rape and torture in the name of G-O-D and christianity to be used to sell electronics, furniture and groceries, adding disrespect and insult to the injury that Criminal Columbus set in motion in 1492 with the "blessing" of the roamin catholic papal bulls of the 1400's that defined the immoral Doctrine of Discovery that led directly to the genocide and holocaust of the indigenous peoples of Turtle Island, of south, central and north America and the enslavement and maafa/holocaust of indigenous Africans.

We call out to all merchants, retailers, store-owners, businesswomen and men to divest themselves of the legacy of Criminal Columbus, quietly or vociferously, out of a moral sense of compassion for humanity and an acknowledgement of truth and integrity beyond the mere desire to make profit based on the legacy of oppression of a pillaging butcher and torturer.  We call you to see the clarity and correctness in this heart-felt request.  Assuredly no business-owner in their right mind would have a "Hitler's Birthday Sale", so one can not understand how any such person would hold a "Columbus Day Sale" either.  No more "Columbus Day" sales and promotions!

(see list of offending companies in comments section)

"This is truly equivalent to Germany having a “Hitler Day” which is a national holiday where we’re all supposed to laud him as the “Great Conquerer” or something, with statues of him erected all over the country. This country is INSANE. Because it’s a part of the dominant culture, industrial civilization, which is killing the planet and wiping out vast, unfathomable numbers of nonhuman species and human indigenous cultures. It must be stopped." 

http://mexikaresistance.com/2012/10/10/fuck-columbus-day-rewild-the-west-and-all-the-rest/

Please, be free to use the above photograph in spreading the word about this boycott intended to extend throughout the year, but at least as long as the offending companies and businesses promote their sales in the name of Criminal Columbus.

Post the above or similar photos/images/flyers along with the names of the local and national companies that align themselves with the legacy of this genocidal opportunist.  Let these companies and owner know that they must find better ways and more creative ways of promoting their products and businesses than in such a way that disrespects the cultures and histories of so many.

For more information, please contact Ukumbwa Sauti at ukumbwa@gmail.com

Indigenous People Fighting Back Against the 2010 Olympics

Reprinted from the facebook page of the Olympic Resistance Network:

The 2010 Winter Olympics will take place on unceded indigenous land from February 12-28, 2010. The effects of the upcoming Winter Games have already manifested themselves- with the expansion of sport tourism and resource extraction on indigenous lands; increasing homelessness and gentrification of poor neighbourhoods; increasing privatization of public services; union busting through imposed contracts and exploitative conditions especially for migrant labour; the fortification of the national security and military apparatus; ballooning public spending and public debt; and unprecedented destruction of the environment.

The Olympic Resistance Network is primarily based in Vancouver, Coast Salish Territories and exists as a space to coordinate anti-2010 Olympics efforts. In doing so, we act in solidarity with other communities across 'BC' - particularly indigenous communities who have been defending their land against the onslaught of the Olympics since the bid itself. Our organizing is largely being done under the slogan of "No Olympics on Stolen Native Land," while creating an opportunity for all anti-capitalist, indigenous, anti-poverty, labour, migrant justice, environmental justice, anti-war, and anti-colonial activists to come together to confront this two-week circus and the oppression it represents.

In addition to building ongoing educational and resistance efforts, we are organizing towards an anti-2010 convergence based on the call for an international boycott by native warriors - particularly at the Indigenous Peoples Gathering in Senora, Mexico in October 2007. We hope to see you all in 2010 to demonstrate our indignation and resistance!

ORN website (under construction): http://olympicresistance.net/

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While so many are reveling in the legacy of what we perceive to be the Olympics, there is a courageous group of indigenous and non-indigenous activists, anti-capitalist/colonialist resisters and supportive people raising voices and serious questions about the socio-political and cultural effects of that legacy. There is a powerful statement being made, largely outside of mainstream media sources, that is informative on the capitalist, expansionist, globalizationalist, neo/settler-colonialist dynamic that underlies the presence of the Olympics in Vancouver and beyond this month.

The Olympic Resistance Network (ORN) and the Tent City residents have come under great pressure from the Vancouver Police and other authoritative forces during their occupation of the area near the olympic village. In addition, Democracy Now!, through Free Speech TV, has reported that numerous independent journalists deemed by the Vancouver and Canadian government to be supportive of the ORN and Tent City have been stopped at the Canadian/USAmerican border, detained and sometimes had their equipment seized. Amy Goodman, internationally know and respected anchor for Democracy Now!, was even detained and mistreated at the border. On one of the recent Democracy Now! broadcasts, a Canadian resident being interviewed on the show apologized on behalf of the government, moreso out of personal solidarity with Goodman, the journalists and the protestors than as any sort of official representative of the Canadian government.

Exacerbating the popular confusion around this issue of sport and indigenous sovereignty/human rights and justice, the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), the Roman Catholic cable tv channel reported in their "Rome Reports" program that the Pope had sent a letter to the archbishop of Vancouver stating, "sports can make an effective contribution to peaceful understanding between peoples and to establishing the new civilization of love." Two things become clear in the light of the ORN's stance against the presence of the olympics. One is that the pope and all of his minions are ignorant of the olympic impact on human life and welfare in Vancouver. That might not be so surprising when we understand how closely related to capitalist and colonialist expansion the concomitant expansion of Roman Catholicism (in particular) and christianity (in general) is. Secondly, the pope and his vatican crew may be well aware of the effect of the olympics on the indigenous and poor populations in and around Vancouver. This would be even less surprising since the vatican has a history of intolerance and outright disrespect toward indigenous people. It is one of the political structures that has been forcibly ripping indigenous people from their lands and cultures all over the world, raping, pillage and killing indigenous people, physically, emotionally and spiritually. It clearly marks the vatican as, at the very least, a disingenuous socially retrograde structure. At worst, the vatican has a program of aiding and abetting the disintegrations of indigenous life and the spiritual energetics systems that indigeny has brought such deep foundation to around the globe over the last few million years. Equally as alarming, that the vatican has come out in support of the olympics' negative existence in Vancouver may help to obfuscate the populace's ability to see the necessity of supporting the Olympic Resistance Network and the indigenous people that are being actively and openly oppressed by the olympics, the Canadian government and other colonialist/capitalist structures (like the vatican).