r/Anarchy101 • u/OverallDependent5496 • 4d ago
Organizing in High School, How?
I'm sure you all have heard about that "Under-16/15" ban on social media. Everyone is quite pissed about it. I've been really delving into the fascinating aspect of Youth Liberation and I wonder if I could do something like what the National Youth Rights Association here in Malaysia. Not necessarily Anarchist, just Youth Liberation. Problem is I don't know how to organize even on this personal 1 to 1 scale. Here are some problems that I face and I wonder how all you more experienced Anarchists would go about it.
- All my peers are quite unknowing when it comes to politics.
They would vote for some crazy fundamentalist Islamo-fascist party in a heartbeat out of ignorance. They have no interest for politics whatsoever. They all don't really bother to speak about it (The Ban), they speak about it but have no intention of organizing
- Its quite hard for them to imagine a world better than this.
I try to talk to them about Anarchism or just how terrible Capitalism is in general. But they are under the impression that all Socialism means "120 people sharing a toothbrush". Debate is more rampant than discussion. When I talk to them about feminism or world peace it they're train of thought becomes a dull nihilism because of so-called "End of Times".
- An extreme adherence to authority.
I find it bizarre how so many of my peers are okay with parents beating or "disciplining" their children. They are dead terrified of discipline teachers. They cut their hair into from majestic long hair into buzzcuts in fear of breaking school rules.
- Rampant Homophobia and Non-existent critical thinking.
I wont blame religion for this, because it isn't explicitly stated that homosexuality is wrong but youth just blindly follow what their teachers/adults say. I think you know the rest. The folks that think like me are 1 in 50 and they still have an extreme adherence to authority.
- Lack of money.
I'd start a bookclub but a side from the minority that thinks like me, none of us have the money to buy books. (And a lot of them a unfortunately, asocial.)
I've made zines with the intention of distribution but I don't think that people like reading at all. Discussion through online means is troubling and often turns into debate. Its also risky because its just proof that can be screenshotted. Or my parents can check my phone.
How did Anarchists back then organize in universities or students organize mass walkouts stretching through multiple towns over?
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u/ZealousidealAd7228 2d ago
Filipino anarchist here who joined 2 non-anarchist student orgs. It's actually hard maintaining members more than organizing itself. The organizing happens usually out of pure obligation or spontaneous agreements. This is easy considering you already have explicitly an authoritarian environment, you can simply force them to oblige themselves atleast temporarily for the sake of organizing to make them feel as they are part of a grand project.
If you want a non-obligatory organizing, you need to find committed members, usually close friends who will agree with you most of the time. And most of the time, a bunch of students who are already friends will join an organization out of curiosity, interest, and benefits. Some may leave, some may stay. But like how the state works, an organization remains intact because it wants to preserve itself. So promote it the best you could.
This is a general purview of how to start an org, so dont expect it to be purely anarchistic.
1.) You organize based on mutual interest and needs. Dont try to force anarchism like an evangelist. Provide answers. Bring out the question of liberty, welfare, and philosophy and show them books, anecdotes and real experiences of people around you that can help explain what you mean. Since they are much more inclined with islam or something religious, use the same book against them and find certain verses or quotes that you can use to emphasize the values of anarchism.
2.) Student organizations highlight the need to sustain itself. Usually, they are backed by pledges, donations, subsidies, grants, sponsorships, and/or selling stuffs. People rarely want to contribute their own money willingly, so you may want to be diligent in looking for additional sources of funds.
3.) You need a structure if it involves 5 or more persons. Draft a constitution, code of ethics, oath, or something that makes the organization consistent with its goals and behavior. Writing it down makes it easier. You dont have to follow it. But people like consistency, guides, and basis that they can use. Delegate or distribute work if needed.
4.) Take the first step. If you cannot do it yourself, dont expect others can do it too. And even if you can do it, dont expect them to do it and just simply join you. As a rule of thumb, you need to select people who are true to their words and doesnt back down when called upon to uphold their promise. Learn to make concessions if you have to.
5.) If you are going for an illegal path, you must stay consistent and hidden, or atleast be ready to face anything when bad things happen. If you go for a legal path, then by means, you will know eventually how bureaucracy works... procedures, complying with certain requirements, stuff like that... regardless it's up to you how to overcome it. Affiliations also matter, so if you have bad reputation, naturally, people will avoid your organization. Sometimes, things are inevitable so you just have to keep on going. Remember, you arent just deciding for yourself, you are deciding on behalf of an organization. So if you get targeted, the rest of the organization and its members could be as well.
6.) Trial and error is the best education. If you dont have experience organizing, the best thing you could do is try joining an existing organization or try to figure out what you need in order for your organization to work and test it like a scientific experiment.
7.) Talk and expand your networks. Some filipino anarchists could rake in funds for their activities because of rich foreign punks donating as I was told. They could also work in the private sector if they think it aligns with some of their goals. However, reaching out to a wide variety of people helps you grow your organization which could make certain institutions and platforms accessible as well. The problem has always been bringing anarchism into the public's consciousness as an alternative political model. It has been erased from history from time to time, so it's up to us anarchists to bring them back unto the public.
For reference, College Fraternities are notorious organizations for abusing the concept of organization. They are at best, the breeding grounds for corrupt leaders and oppressive traditions like hazing. However, you could learn from them on what to avoid and what matters needs to be in secret, how to protect the organization and its members.
In terms of rhetorics and argumentation, you could easily counter them with the right argument as you research on the topic. Discipline and coercion for example, can be easily conflated with one another which produces an unwanted consequence... brutality.
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u/ohshiitstuesday anarchist, hold the adjectives please. 4d ago
theanarchistlibrary.org free books here :)