You Can't Blow Up A Social Relationship
Krist Novoselic observes the demonstrations during the WTO Ministerial Conference in 1999. Photo by Mickey. Novoselic's column runs every Tuesday on the Daily Weekly.
You Can’t Blow Up A Social Relationship is an anarchist pamphlet first published in 1979. The point of the treatise is that meaningful work, through association, is a greater tool for change than violence, which only invites authorities to constrict civil liberties.
After reading the assertions in the pamphlet, two events came to mind: the November 1999 World Trade Organization ministerial meeting in Seattle, and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.
I was on the street in Seattle in ‘99. There was a big march planned and many people came from all over to express their feelings about the WTO. A lot of people put time into creative forms of expression. There were costumes, props, and street performances. I was part of a musical performance at the Showbox.
During the first day, it was interesting and fun to see how people tried to make statements. Later, I noticed a change and the mood got darker with more graffiti and broken windows. I came across a person spray painting some forgettable slogan while standing atop a storefront awning. I couldn’t help myself but to yell, "How would you like if someone did that to your house?” He replied, “Fuck You”, as did the couple with indignant faces standing next to me. I said, “I thought this was a non-violent protest?”. I split for home because this scene was going downhill fast.
I was in a vacuum of chaos. And this leads us to another premise quoted in the pamphlet, “The total collapse of this society would provide no guarantee of what would replace it.”
No WTO Combo Live From the Battle In Seattle November 1999, Showbox Theater, Vocal - Jello Biafra, Guitar - Kim Thayil, Drums - Gina Mainwal, Bass - Krist Novoselic
The mob, as far as that moment was concerned, condoned free expression in the form of cliche statements written with aerosol paint. But a question regarding personal property could only merit a curt response of profanity. Tear gas fired from riot police cordons wasn’t the only thing wafting through the air. The protests grew polluted with a spurious revolutionary fervor. The effects of spontaneous and irrational instant gratification became the media story while non-violent, long-planned creative expression took a back seat.
The killers who hijacked the aircraft on September 11, 2001 created a ghastly spectacle replayed over and over on television. The Bush administration took advantage of people’s genuine moral outrage. Presidential speeches were dependably laden with the terms terror, terrorist, and terrorism. This sustained a climate of fear and nationalist hysteria quickly manipulated into legislation that expanded the state security apparatus.
The administration benefited so much politically that some accused them of conspiring in the attacks themselves. I don’t believe there was complicity, but the irony is not lost that the anti-American attackers only succeeded in helping a reactionary president.
Indeed, you can’t blow up a social relationship. Meaningful change takes a lot of time and patience. Where are those spray painting vandals today? I hope they’re working to build structures of cooperation that meet the needs of the local community.
11 comment(s)
buzz says:
Clinton seemed to get a boost from those riots in terms of the WTO negotiations.
How is it that he is so emamoured with the "globalization" ideas.
That whole "World is Flat" concept does not seem to apply to Russia, China & India.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jul. 29 2008 @ 9:17AM
Mickey says:
Hey Krist, nice blog.
This would be a pretty good picture to go with this post:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/30/49560437_4a084144e9.jpg?v=0
Posted On: Tuesday, Jul. 29 2008 @ 10:30AM
milos jefferson III says:
Krist,
re: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/30/49560437_4a084144e9.jpg?v=0
I always suspected that u were a lackey stooge for Ben Bridge...
Posted On: Wednesday, Jul. 30 2008 @ 2:43AM
Dave Middleton says:
Krist, it was great meeting you in the Haight last Saturday morning. Thanks for the pleasant conversation, and sorry I missed your show.
Take care.
Dave
Posted On: Thursday, Jul. 31 2008 @ 1:41PM
Gabe says:
Question; is it possible to email you? I'm just curious; it should be attached to this comment.
Great political blog, though, and I've added it to my favourites. Some unique insight here.
Posted On: Friday, Aug. 1 2008 @ 10:42AM
Scott says:
That photo needs to be correctly attributed to Scott Engelhardt (aka ntisocl): http://www.flickr.com/photos/ntisocl/49560437/in/set-1075968/
Thank you.
Posted On: Sunday, Aug. 3 2008 @ 6:35PM
Luke Valdez says:
Lol, I believe those people who turn a channel of art, twards distruction of others property is pathetic. I'm sure from the moment we open our eyes when me mature, we see all the chaos...
Nice blog Krist, I admire what youve done with your life. =]
Posted On: Friday, Aug. 15 2008 @ 9:05AM
Luke Valdez says:
Lol, I believe those people who turn a channel of art, twards distruction of others property is pathetic. I'm sure from the moment we open our eyes when me mature, we see all the chaos...
Nice blog Krist, I admire what youve done with your life. =]
Posted On: Friday, Aug. 15 2008 @ 9:05AM
Luke Valdez says:
Lol, I believe those people who turn a channel of art, twards distruction of others property is pathetic. I'm sure from the moment we open our eyes when we mature, we see all the chaos...
Nice blog Krist, I admire what youve done with your life. =]
Posted On: Friday, Aug. 15 2008 @ 9:07AM
Tommy says:
I don't know how you spent ten years beforehand creating "teen angst" and then marvel at the insolence of angry teenagers.
I am a big fan, by the way, so I don't want to insult you but there is a phrase "you reap what you sow".
Posted On: Tuesday, Sep. 2 2008 @ 3:00AM
Tommy says:
I don't know how you spent ten years beforehand creating "teen angst" and then marvel at the insolence of angry teenagers.
I am a big fan, by the way, so I don't want to insult you but there is a phrase "you reap what you sow".
Posted On: Tuesday, Sep. 2 2008 @ 3:02AM