<nettime> Minneapolis notebook: The terribly complex environment of 2020

[Max Herman <maxnmherman@hotmail.com>]

Hi all,

Recently I made a reference to a Native American historical archive that was lost in the fires last week; some context and details are here:

https://www.migizi.org/

https://www.migizi.org/post/loss-of-home

https://www.nativebusinessmag.com/migizi-set-on-fire-during-minneapolis-protests-despite-flames-we-as-a-community-burn-brighter/

I don't know how this microcosm can or should influence the debate around peaceful v. non-peaceful means for change.  Some say peaceful hasn't worked and must be jettisoned; some say non-peaceful causes too much pointless damage and empowers the forces of reaction.  I don't think anyone knows exactly what will cause what in the course of human events, much less in the present highly uncertain environment.

Admittedly, my own right to call for peaceful change may be zero due to my lifelong white privilege.  However, whatever right I do have to call for peace I'd like to use.  We sometimes underestimate the power of peaceful means and overestimate the power of non-peaceful.  But everyone will decide these questions for themselves, possibly in communication with others and possibly not.

Maybe the symbolism of fire, the most terrifying of recent events here (because aside from the horrific murder of George Floyd, further loss of life and injury to persons does not appear to have been great), has relevance.  Migizi was burned by accident so to speak.  Yet still, the archives were lost.  My perspective on this loss is worth zero or virtually zero compared to the statement by the organization itself.  Nevertheless, does not the very existence of such an organization suggest that the community that built it does support to some extent peaceful change?  Who knows what the right balance of peaceful vs. non-peaceful is.  We each have to reckon with our own value system and conscience on such questions.

By peace I do not mean status quo or acquiescence to injustice, nor do the many communities calling for peaceful change.  The murder of Mr. Floyd was extreme violence on all levels, and was only one visible example of such violence.  The institutional violence against people of color and against the economically disadvantaged must also end.

All this is happening, of course, within a fabric of other global collapses relating to Covid-19, economic production, and climate change.  Some are asking how peaceful change can possibly make any headway at all on these seemingly unavoidable catastrophes when each multiplies the other so drastically.  Perhaps it can, perhaps it cannot.

Some characteristics of a possible path of peaceful change that can work effectively may be as follows:

  *   A different tone of political rhetoric from the current US administration.  Four years of incendiary rhetoric does add up.
  *   Work by civil society to produce the kind of healing communication not provided by the administration.
  *   Concrete actions related to legal reform, policing reform, and economic inequality supported by all citizens.
  *   Policy and legislative change to support legal and economic reforms.
  *   Stimulus funds for green infrastructure to help address both economic inequality and climate change.
  *   Commitment from all to slow the spread of Covid-19 so that medical facilities are not overwhelmed.
  *   Peaceful political change through the electoral system, specifically in the 2020 US elections.
  *   Dedication from every person to re-examine how they think and live, and to make personal changes to support the above.
  *   New approaches to art, literature, and cultural expression in light of the above priorities.
  *   International cooperation on all of the above, where they apply internationally.

Clearly, anything that can be done can also not be done; anything that can happen can also not happen.  Some of the above may occur, or all, or none.  From my perspective I think they are all worth a try, and a concerted one.

Be safe and well,

Max





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