Perspectives on Anarchist Theory Vol 3, No 1 Spring 1999

12 Pages·2013·7.3 MB·English

Contents
Spring 1999
The Institute for IAS Update ... 2
Anarchist Studies Study Groups ... 3
What's Happening: Books & Events ... 4
Interview with Sam Mbah ... 9
CZ)b
Capitalism, Marxism, and the Black Radical Tradition:
An Interview with Cedric Robinson
It is the task of the radical critic to illuminate what what has been known in order to achieve greater
is repressed and excluded by the basic mechanisms clarification and effectiveness. Just as Thucydides
of a given social order. It is the task of the believed that historical consciousness of a people
politically engaged radical critic to side with the in crisis provided the possibility of more virtuous
excluded and repressed: to develop insights gained action, more informed and rational choices, so do I.
in confrontation with injustice, to nourish cultures At the time I was writing Black Marxism and
of resistance, and to help define the means with Black Mass Movements I felt strongly that Black
which society can be rendered adequate to the full nationalism as it was beings pursued by
breadth of human potentialities.
spokespersons like Stokely Carmichael and Louis
Cedric Robinson has embraced these tasks. Farrakhan was a failed enterprise. As a peevish
His work explores the relationship between our and perverse inversion of the political culture and
social order and its negations, particularly racialism which had been used to justify the worst
Marxism and the Black Radical Tradition. He has excesses of the exploitation and oppression of
examined this relationship in historical, political, Black people, it served as a fictive radicalism, a
and philosophical terms with an orientation that is surrogate mirage of the Black struggle. So both of
as comprehensive as it is anti-authoritarian. these works, politically, were written to address
I interviewed Robinson by e-mail in January the miscomprehensions and conceits of Black
1999.-ChuckMorse nationalism in historical terms: to examine how
our ancestors responded to the seductions of this
construction of the struggle and their visions of the
/n thien gc oonf cthlues Biolanc okf RBaladcicka Ml Tarraxdisitmio:n T yhoeu Mwraitke future social order.
that "the evolution of Black radicalism has occurred
while it has not been conscious of itself as a
tradition." Your writings (especially Black Marx Blackiv eM aorf xBislmac kis rnaodti caa lcishmro nboulto ag icdaial lneacrtircaatl
ism and Black Movements in America^ are att analysis of the development of racial capitalism,
empts to introduce a level of self-consciousness to Marxism, and Black opposition. What is it about
this tradition. Why is this important now and what the Black Radical Tradition that requires this
do you hope this can offer to the development of method of analysis?
Black radicalism and radical movements There are several rationales for the
generally? employment of dialectical analysis to the Radical
My work is in a sense notational - reinscribing Tradition: they relate to the subject matter, to the
historical experience - for a political objective. audience, and to the method itself.
Present generations must know, at the very least, Continued on Page 6...
JBffiE'fesa faiSirsissaterraffifflfiiMdiH
The Institute for Anarchist Studies (IAS) annually on the African continent It is intended to follow
awards $6000 in grants to writers whose work is up their previous book, African Anarchism: The
important to the anarchist critique of domination, History of a Movement (See Sharp Press, 1997).
have a clear financial need, and whose piece is
likely to be widely distributed. In January 1999, Mbah and Igariwey will use libertarian analytical
the IAS Board of Directors was pleased to award tools to lay bare the problems of military
a grant to the following individual: dictatorship. They will demonstrate that military
dictatorship is a logical, if perverse, extension of
$2000 to Samuel Mbah for his book Military the state system (despite liberal and state socialist
Dictatorship and the State in Africa (co-authored criticisms). They will also show that overthrowing
by I.E. Igariwey). This book will utilize an military dictatorship does not remedy the
anarchist critique to analyze military dictatorship
Continued on Page 10...
Perspectives
A oonn aannaarrcchhiisstt tthheenorrvy
Institute for Anarchist Studies Update
Perspectives on
Anarchist Theory
We anticipate that 1999 will be an exciting year on Perennial's entire stock.
for the Institute for Anarchist Studies (IAS). In
Spring 1999, Vol. 3. No. 1
addition to awarding grants and publishing this We hope that everyone who values radical
Newsletter of the Institute
for Anarchist Studies newsletter, we have begun a concerted effort to scholarship will help us meet our 1999 fundraising
strengthen and expand the Institute. goal. It is the generosity of comrades around the
world that has enabled us to award $6000 in grants
Editorial Committee:
Rebecca DeWitt, Chuck Morse Specifically, we intend to raise 510,000 for the every year, publish Perspectives biannually. and
IAS endowment by the end of the year. Although build a small but growing endowment. It is this
Grammatical Partisans: building the endowment has always been a same generosity that will enable us to build the
Paul Glavin. Greta Schwerner priority, we are making an extra push because we IAS's organizational strength, increase our grants,
are eager to enhance the IAS's durability and to and offer other contributions to the development of
Subscription Rates establish the financial basis necessary to increase radical social criticism.
(Two issues: per year)
our grant awards and fund additional projects in
IAS Donors - Free
support of anti-authoritarian social criticism. It would be hard to convey our enthusiasm for the
Individuals - $5
future without mentioning some of the
Institutions - $10
Bulk Subs (25 Copies) - $25 Building our endowment is essential to this for two developments that have occurred since the last
reasons. First, when our endowment reaches a issue of Perspectives. We completed our 1998
(Please make checks payable to the j certain size it will produce a significant annual grant cycle with a $2000 grant award to Sam Mbah
Institute for Anarchist Studies) income that we can use to fund our present grant for his Military Dictatorship and the State in
program, thus freeing us to raise money to increase Africa (see page 1). I am also excited to report that
Disclaimer: the views expressed in
our grants and/or other initiatives. Second, as a Will Firth and Melissa Burch have recently
Perspectives do not necessarily
represent the views of the IAS as a defensive measure, it is important to build the completed their IAS supported projects and that
whole. endowment because its annual income will provide Paul Fleckenstein has just published his. We
a financial safety net for the IAS should it ever be anticipate the completion of many more IAS
needed (one that will enable us, for example, to sponsored works in the near future (see page 3 for
IAS Board of Directors: continue awarding grants even if we confront a details).
financial crisis).
Dan Chodorkoff, Maura Dillon,
Rebecca DeWitt, Paula Emery, The IAS's 1998 fundraising campaign was also a
Paul Glavin, Michelle Matisons, Our intention to increase the endowment by great success thanks to the generosity of IAS
Cindy Milstein, & John Petrovato $10,000 has its origins in two very welcome and supporters. Their contributions allowed us to
related events. Last November an extremely exceed our $9200 fundraising goal by $700,
IAS Coordinator:
generous IAS supporter pledged to donate $8000 enabling us to award another set of grants to
Rebecca DeWitt
to our endowment upon the success of our 1999 talented and committed radical writers, publish
fundraising campaign. In response to this exciting two issues of Perspectives, and build the IAS
General Director:
Chuck Morse pledge we have decided to increase the amount of endowment by $1315. We are very grateful to
money we intend to raise for the IAS this year in everyone who made this possible. The fact that we
order to place a greater percentage of fundraising met and exceeded our 1998 goal (and every
income into the endowment. We have thus set a fundraising goal we have set thus far) is a
For more information or a grant
SI 0,000 1999 fundraising goal and have testimony to the continued vitality of the anarchist
application, please send a self-
addressed, stamped envelope to: designated S2000 (20%) for our endowment. The tradition of mutual aid.
combination of these sources will result in a
Institute for Anarchist Studies $10,000 addition to our endowment. The IAS has developed a track record of
P.O. Box 1664 significant contributions in its three years of
Peter Stuyvesant Station I am happy to note that Perennial Books of operation. We are excited to build upon this and
New York, NY Conway, Massachusetts - long time IAS supporters believe that with careful planning, hard work, and
10009-USA
and distributors of high quality radical literature - the support of allies that we will increase the IAS's
Phone: [phone] have stepped in to help us meet our 1999 long-term strength and our ability to support the
E-mail: [email protected] fundraising challenge. They have not only pledged development of radical social criticism and ideals
Web: h ttp ://home.;newyorknet. to continue making books available to IAS donors of freedom.
net/ias/Defaukhtm but have also expanded the list of available titles ~ Chuck Morse
from eight to forty-eight (please see the insert
accompanying this issue). In addition, they have
1 "he IAS is a nonprofit, increased the discount they offer to IAS donors by
tax-exempt organization. five percent: now all IAS supporters contributing
$25 or more will receive a twenty percent discount
Perspectives
JL on anarchist theorv
Study Groups
IAS Grant
Study groups have always been important to be suggested for membership. Updates
the left, although their purpose and structure
has changed as the left has evolved. At all stages, from contact to member, the Melissa Burch has completed
educational development of the individual was her project, -Autonomy^
An awareness of the history of study groups considered of first importance. Since the vanguard Culture, and Natural
can help us develop contemporary educational concept requires a highly developed cadre of Resources in the Neo-liberal
and political strategies. The excerpt reprinted professional revolutionaries, the capability of Age. It has been distributed to
below gives an overview of study groups in the individuals to understand and apply revolutionary non-profit groups and
Old Left, New Left, and the Women's theory and experience was regarded as vital. The community resource centers in
Liberation Movement. It is reprinted from study group constituted a major entity within the US, Nicaragua, and
Revolutionary Theory by William Friedland (et which this educational process could unfold. Mexico. The chapter on
al). southeast Mexico has been
Old Left study groups would typically set out a condensed into a small booklet
course of study in the marxian classics. [...] The and will be published and
Serving a variety of purposes at different times, the specific works to be studied varied according to distributed by; ACERCA
study group demonstrates a combination of the experiences and capabilities of the students and (Action for Community and
organizing, recruiting, and mobilizing concerns. the skill of the study group leader in recognizing Ecology in the Rainforests of
The way in which study groups have served these how fast students could be moved into the more Central America). It will also
functions has varied considerably in different abstract and difficult revolutionary works. At all be used as a study tool
contexts. times, the going might become too difficult for accompanying the Native
some participants or they might find themselves in Forest Network video about
The Old Left political disagreement and drop away. Chiapas. She was awarded
Particularly within the vanguard elements of the $800 in January 1998.
Old Left, the study group was viewed as an Old Left study groups would often turn to current
important educational and training device for ideological issues and, in particular, the kinds of Paul Fleckenstein published
recruitment. Consideration of the way Lenin issues that delineated the specific organizational his project on contemporary
defined the character of the vanguard organization concerns of the study group sponsor. Trotskyist municipal development policy
[...] shows how this conception of organization groups, for example, focused much discussion on and practice in Burlington. VT
requires intermediate training grounds within the Russian Revolution, its degeneration, and the (initially entitled "Civic Space
which people can be educated and tested prior to character of Stalinism. As students became and the Anarchist Dream"), as
admission to the revolutionary party. sophisticated with ideas and with the special two articles in the September
language of revolutionary analysis, the study group issue of 05401, a Burlington
Members of Old Left organizations such as the would move to works of increasing difficulty. based magazine. These articles
Communist Party, the Socialist Party, or the are entitled "Most Livable
Socialist Workers Party functioned in a variety of Study groups, in and of themselves, were Carnival" and "Filenes,
broader organizations such as unions, public inadequate preparation grounds. Participants, as Felines, Felon, Foe: Who Dec
protest groups, and "front" organizations. Within they developed knowledge and sophistication, ides Which Way This Town
such wider public environments revolutionaries would be asked to translate their information into Will Go?". He was awarded
sought to identify individuals who might be concrete action. This might range from being $500 in January 1997.
potential members of their group. Attempts would called on to distribute newspapers at some factory
then be made to bring such people into study gate to representing the organization's viewpoint Allan Antiffs book, The
groups and other similar organizations where thejr within one's own union. Sophisticated people were Culture of Revolt: Art and An
education could be furthered and they could be expected, in turn, to bring new contacts into the archy in America, is under
tested through their participation in various kinds periphery of the organization and perhaps help to consideration at University of
of activities. organize new study groups. The study group thus Chicago Press. An article
served the function of education, but individuals based on chapter five of his
When an individual appeared to have some were expected to translate their new knowledge book, entitled "Cosmic Mod
potential, in the initial phases he or she was into concrete strategies for action before they ernism: Elie Nadeiman, Adolf
referred to as a "contact." As individual study could demonstrate their worthiness to belong to Wolff, and the Materialist
group members became better known, often the vanguard organization. Aesthetics of John Weichsel"
because of their participation in the group and in is forthcoming in the Archives
actions undertaken by the group, a person would The New Left of American Art Journal,
become considered a "prospect," that is, a Many aspects of Old Left study groups were March 1999. He was awarded
prospective member. With the continuation of reproduced in those created by the New Left in the $1000 in January 1997.
activity and study, an individual might apply for or Continued on page 12 ... Continued on page 10...
Perspectives
J- on anarchist theory
What's Happening: Books & Events
Contacts &
addresses
Two new books promise to broaden our tween Chiapas' primarily Mayan population and
conception of the anarchist tradition as well as its the Spanish conquerors and criollo landowners.
AK Press
influence upon twentieth century intellectual life. For a perspective on dissent in another continent
PO Box 40682
Carl Levy's forthcoming anthology, Gramsci and and social context, Spanish-readers will want to
San Francisco, CA 94140
the Anarchists, treats Italian anarchism from the consult Lucha Autonoma: una Vision de la Coord-
Web: www.akpress.org/
beginning of the century to the rise of fascism, inadora de Colectivos (1990 - 1997) (196 pages,
Bound Together Books charting its relations with Antonio Gramsci Libreria Asociativa 'Traficantes de Suenos',
1369 Haight Street and the Turin-based Ordine Nuovo group. 1998). This book contains interviews,
San Francisco, CA94117 This book will deepen our understanding pamphlets, theoretical texts, and debates
of Gramsci as well as the history of from the autonomous movement in Madrid.
anarchism (320 pages, NYU Press, 1998).
Friends of the Modem School
200 Sumac Ridge Lane German readers will want to explore Lou Contemporary movements have a living
Altamont, NY 12009 Marin's Ursprung der Revoke: Albert heritage in the older revolutionary trad
Ph: [phone]/email Camus und der Anarchismus (trans: The ition, one that still demands serious study
[email protected] Origin of Revolt: Albert Camus and An Gramsci and explication. Proficiency in Italian is
archism, 328 pages, Graswurze Ire volution, necessary to appreciate one of the most
Fundaci6n Alumbrar 1998). Marin argues that anarchism shaped the comprehensive efforts in this regard. At more than
Santiago del Estero 264 Piso 5 essence of Camus's response to the Algerian War a thousand pages, Giampietro Berti's // pensiero
(1075) Buenos Aires, .Argentina of Independence. It draws upon his lectures on anarchico: Dal Settecento al Novecento (Trans:
Web: members.aoLcomy anarchism, contributions to anarchist journals, and Anarchist Thought from the 1700's to the 1900's)
wellslake/alumbrar.htm lifelong contact with the French anarchist move is quite literally a massive contribution to the his
ment. It concludes with a discussion of contemp tory of anarchism with a special focus on its Italian
Institute for Social Ecology orary efforts to rehabilitate Camus as an anarchist. strains (1030 pages, Piero Lacaita Editore, 1998).
P.O. Box 89
Plainfield, VT 05667 There is a growing body of literature on the nature Although anarchists were among the most
Phone: (802); 454-8493 and significance of radical social movements at the courageous and intransigent opponents of Euro
E-mail: [email protected] end of the millennium. Bill Weinberg's forthcom pean fascism, there is very little historical work on
ing Homage to Chiapas: The New Indigenous their efforts. Two forthcoming publications from
International History Review Struggles in Mexico will make an exciting the Kate Sharpley Library (KSL) will help rectify
EAA 2015, Simon Fraser Univ. contribution (288 pages, Verso, August 1999). This this problem. This spring the KSL will release a
Burnaby, British Colombia book focuses on contemporary social and pamphlet on Italian activities entitled Anarchists
Canada VS A 1S6
ecological activism throughout Mexico, with an Against Fascism (various authors). They will also
Web: www.sfu.ca/ihr
emphasis on the South. It looks at popular release a translation (by Paul Sharkey) of Michele
struggles against Pemex (the state-owned oil Corsentino's biography of Michael Schirru, an
Kate Sharpley Library
company) in the state of Tabasco; an Indigenous Italian-American anarchist executed in 1931 for
BM Hurricane
uprising against plans for a giant computer com planning to assassinate Mussolini. Both works will
London, WC1N 3XX England
plex and golf course in Tepoztlan; the Zapatistas; be available from AK Press.
Web: members.aol.com/
the Ejercito Popular Revolucionario (EPR); and
wellslake/Sharpley.htm
the 'War on Drugs' as a post-Cold War counter- Two new publications will nuance our under
Libreria Asociativa insurgency model. A forthcoming anthology by standing of Japanese anarchist history. Victor
John Womack, author of Zapata and the Mexican Garcia's forthcoming pamphlet from the Kate
'Traficahtes de Sueffos'
Revolution, studies movements in this region from Sharpley Library, Three Japanese Anarchists,
C/Hortaleza, 19 1° Dcha.
a different perspective. Rebellion in Chiapas: An examines Osugi Sakae, Taiji Yamaga, and Kotoku
28004 Madrid, Spain
Historical Reader (288 pages, New Press, March Shusui (available from AK Press). Bakunin's 1861
Web: wrww.nodo50.org/lucha-
autonoma 1999) looks not only at the five years of conflict visit to Japan is the subject of a fascinating new
since the Zapatista's 1994 uprising but also at 500 article by Philip Billingsley entitled "Bakunin in
Politics of Social Ecology: years of struggle and uneasy accommodation be Yokohama" (pp. 532 -570, International History
Libertarian Municipalism Review, September 1998).
Conference IAS on the Web
P.O. Box 111 Nigel Anthony Sellars's Oil, Wheat, & Wobblies:
• IAS Publications
Burlington, VT 05402 • IAS Grant Application The Industrial Workers of the World in Oklahoma,
Web: www.web.net/ 1905-1930 offers a critical appraisal of an import
• Helpful Links
-anarchos / e-mail: ant dimension of American radical history (320
[email protected] pages, University of Oklahoma, 1998). Sellars
http://home.newyorknet.net/ias/Default.htm
analyzes the I WW's role in Oklahoma from the
Perspectives
J- on anarchist theory
founding of the union in 1905 to its demise in cludes massive amounts of books, pamphlets,
1930. He describes IWW efforts to organize mi
photographs, and other items collected over the
gratory harvest hands and oil-field workers in the years. Please contact them to consult their collec
context of a broad social history of Oklahoma tion at: Biblioteca Archivo de Estudios Liber
labor. He examines the relationship between the tarios, Brasil 1551, (1154) Buenos Aires, Argen El Lokal is a self-managed,
IWW and other left and labor groups and uses tina, Email: [email protected]. anti-authoritarian cultural
court cases and legislation to explore government
center and meeting space
repression of the IWW during World War I. He Several upcoming events will provide great oppor located in Barcelona's old
concludes with the IWW's decline after the war. tunities to meet friends and discuss contemporary
quarter.
He suggests that its decline should be attributed radical politics. Anarchists from around the world
more to the union's failure to adapt to postwar will browse literature tables and participate in
Founded 10 years ago, El
technological change, an attachment to outmoded discussions at the Fourth Annual Bay Area
Lokal runs a library holding
tactics, and internal policy disputes than to Anarchist Book Fair on March 27, 1999 at the San
more than a thousand books
political repression. Francisco County Fair Building in Golden Gate
on anarchism, anti-militarism,
Park (contact Bound Together Books for infor
sociology, ecology, feminism,
Although historical work on anarchism continues mation). Anarchists from Argentina and other libertarian pedagogy, and anti-
to grow, it has lost one of its enthusiasts: we are countries will gather at this year's Encuentro
psychiatry. It is also a
saddened to note that Jerome Mintz, author of The
Anarquista on April 1-4, 1999 in Cordoba, Argen resource for publications,
Anarchists ofCasas Viejas, died on November 22, tina. There will be a broad discussion with a focus
documents, and reports from
1997 in Bloomington, Indiana after a long struggle on the theme 'Mechanisms of Domination/Mech current campaigns against
with leukemia. His final work, Carnival Song & anisms of Freedom.' For information contact Mar multinationals like Mc
Society: Gossip, Sexuality and Creativity in Anda iano Ceballos 2867, El Trebol, Cordoba 5010,
Donald's, the movement
lusia (256 pages, NYU Press, 1997), explores Argentina, Fax: [phone], email: against Maastricht, and other
important facets of cultural life in one of the reg [email protected]. The Institute for Social Ecology activities taking place in
ional centers of the classical anarchist movement. will mark 25 years of radical education and act
Catalonia. The library is open
ivism at the 25th Anniversary Celebration Gath and available to the public.
Anarchism has always had a productive relation ering on August 20-22, 1999 at the ISE. There will
ship with the arts, especially the visual arts, and be workshops, seminars, and social gatherings El Lokal also organizes talks
Richard Porton's forthcoming Film and the (contact the ISE for more information). The and debates and offers their
Anarchist Imagination will help unravel one of its second International/Inter polls Conference on The
space to radical groups in
dimensions (320 pages, Verso, April 1999). In this Politics of Social Ecology: Libertarian Mun- need of a meeting-place. The
comprehensive survey of anarchism in film, Porton icipalism will take place on August 27-29, 1999 in following collectives can be
deconstructs cinematic stereotypes of anarchists Plainfield, Vermont. This working conference foll found there: Collective
while offering an account of films featuring an ows a previous meeting in Lisbon, Portugal and is
Against the Death Penalty and
archist characters and motifs (from the early cine held for those interested in discussing and ad
for Mumia Abu-Jamal's
ma of Griffith and Rene Clair to Ken Loach's vancing libertarian municipalism (contact the Freedom; the Zapatista Soli
contemporary work). This is set in the context of a International Organizing Committee, Burlington-
darity Collective; and the
broad examination of the tradition of anarchist Montreal for information). The 27'" Annual Re
Assembly of Barcelona's
thought (from Bakunin to Bookchin). The relation union of the Friends of Ferrer Modern Schools Youth who Refuse Obligatory
ship between anarchism and film continues to un will take place this September, most likely at
Military Service (Insumisos).
fold thanks to Argentina's Fundacion Alumbrar, Rutgers University (for information contact the
who will release two new films this year. The Strike Friends of the Ferrer Modern School). French El Lokal also sells anti-
of Loonies is a documentary video by Mariana Speakers will want to attend the International Sym authoritarian books
Arruti examining the anarchist led strike of the posium: LAnarchisme a-t-il un Avenir? Histoire (emphasizing independent
Ship-Building Workers Federation in 1956, known de Femmes, d'Hommes et de Leurs Imaginaires
publishers) and produces La
as "the longest strike of the century." Their next (What is the future for anarchism? The History of Lletra @, a quarterly anarchist
documentary will study Argentine anarchist Sever- Women, Men, and Their Visions) at the Universite
periodical, with the
ino Di Giovanni and his group around 1930. Toulouse on October 27-29, 1999. This confer Libertarian Athenaeum of
ence will draw upon anarchism's past, present and Reus.
The "Biblioteca-Archivo de Estudios Libertarios" possible future to explore answers to the question
will contain a good deal of information about the 'What does it mean to be a revolutionary in the For information, please
Ship Builder's strike, Di Giovanni, and other 21s1 century?'. For information contact: GRHI, contact El Lokal at Calle de la
aspects of Argentina's rich anarchist history. This colloque Anarchisme, Maison de la recherche, Cera, 1 bis, ground floor,
archive was recently opened by the Federacion Universite Toulouse-le Mirail, 5. Allee A. 08001 Barcelona, Spain Ph:
Libertaria Argentina, an anarchist organization Machado, 31058 Toulouse cedex, France, email: 34-93-329 06 43, Web: www.
dating back to 1935. They are presently cata [email protected] or [email protected]. Web: pangea.org/ellokal
loguing and organizing their material, which in www.multimania.com/ateliber/toulouse.htm ~ ~ Eva Garcia
Perspectives
Aon anarchist theorv
Capitalism, Marxism, and the Black Radical Tradition:
Cedric Robinson:
Biography ... Continued from page I
The Tradition's first stage of development is /n anDaulyBzoinisg, Cth.Le. Rco. nJatrmibeust,io annsd mRaicdhea rbdy W Wrig.Eh.tB to.
Bom in Oakland, California in oppositional, i.e. the negation (resistance) of the the Black Radical Tradition you highlight
1940, Cedric Robinson's radi negation (slavery); the response to the attempted DuBois's emphasis on the peasants' revolutionary
cal convictions were; first nour cultural alienation and the effected physical, role, James's critique of the Leninist party model,
ished ■by:his grandfather whose geographical and social alienation of slavery. and Wright's emphasis on the cultural dimensions
radicalism had compelled him But slavery itself must be understood in a new of revolutionary politics. These observations have
to flee from Alabama to Cali way by readers familiar with the melodramatic and been constitutive of the anarchist tradition and, to
fornia in the late 1920!s. Eurocentric narrative of slavery as the capture, a lesser degree, libertarian socialism. Do they
impressment and exploitation of primitive peoples. I create a unique common ground upon which
These [convictions became attempted to intrude upon the familiar construction Black radicals and anti-authoritarians from other
of slavery as a superior culture overtaking an
practical when - as a high backgrounds can meet?
school and then university stu inferior culture. This narrative is hegemonic and What these anti-authoritarian traditions have
dent in California's Bay Area - must be ruptured. in common is that they confront and show the
Robinson joined other Black In order to present this to the readers it is necessity of avoiding certain conceits which follow
radical students to struggle important to recognize the cultural history of the from the general theory of revolution in Marxism.
against campus authorities and enslaved, but this is not easily done. The Black One conceit is class; another is determinancy;
the iniquities of American for Radical Tradition is not a biological reflex, but a and another is the stage-construction of history. As
eign and domestic policies. reconstitution of historical, cultural, and moral Amilcar Cabral argued thirty years ago, class is not
materials, a transcendence which both transfers a world-historical phenomena enveloping the his
His activist engagement found and edits earlier knowledges and understandings tories of all peoples; and culture and conscious
a complement in a rigorous among the several African peoples enslaved. ness are as powerful in determining choice and
commitment to; study, inquiry, The dialectical method is well suited to these behavior as the material reproduction of a society.
and critique. He received a BA tasks. Finally, the discrete stages of history which Marx
in social anthropology from the borrowed from the Scottish Enlightenment of the
University of California at Ber- 17th century hardly corresponds with any human
keley and completed his gradu /n B'lAacfrkic aMna rcxoisnmsc iyoouus npeosisn't tthoa ta i ndfiosrtminectdiv tehley history, even European's.
ate work at Stanford University commitments, insights, and politics of Black However, 1 do not believe that it is necessary
in political theory. He came to radicals. What is this consciousness and what is its for a convergence of these traditions to take place.
the University of California at importance for Black radical politics? They are all assaults on the same social and political
Santa Barbara with his wife I believe that the historical struggles in Africa authority. We should remember, for example, that
Elizabeth in 1979, five years and the New World culled some of the best virtues the Russian Revolution - despite its reconstruction
after the birth of their daughter of their native cultures. One such virtue was as a consequence of the Leninist party - was the
Najda. democracy, the commitment to a social order in result of many different revolutions (revolutions
which no voice was greater than another (I wrote for which Lenin or Trotsky had no responsibility
At UCSB Robinson has served about some of the precedents for this regime in or theoretical understanding). The Tsarist regime
as Director of the Center for The Terms of Order). did not collapse under the weight of a single force.
Black Studies; the chair of the This alternative to hierarchy also produced a Black and other radicals originate and art
Political Science Department; critique of political order; and during the anti- iculate distinct histories which converge and div
and then chair of Black Stud slavery struggles, it achieved a rather sophisticated erge depending on historical circumstance: this was
ies. In addition to academic critique of the rule of law. And the core and James's conception of the confluences of the Hait
work, Robinson is a commu tributaries of this moral philosophy were what ian slaves and the French peasantry, etc.; a historical
Greek classicists term the transmutation of the
nity activist in the Santa Bar correspondence which was broken by the time
bara area where, among other soul. So, from the center of a world view in which Frantz Fanon wrote of French colonialism, French
things, he hosts a TV news pro the reiteration of names (an African convention in workers, and the colonized subject. These histories
gram entitled "Third World which the name of a recently deceased loved one is of radicalism are neither determined nor dictated by
News Review." given to the next child bom) reflected the the world-system, merely given local impulse.
conservatism and responsibilities of a community,
When asked to identify indi the resolve to value our historical and immediate
viduals or thinkers who have interdependence substantiates democracy. Marx bceolieuvlde odn lyth eamt earg ec ofrmomm uthneis Et usroopceieatny
had the greatest influence upon This heritage gave Black Radicals many working class. Black radicals and others excluded
his work, Robinson sites his things. For example, it gave them an ability to from world-historical significance by Marx con
retain the value of life, a fact that had many
grandfather, Winston White fronted this claim and produced important insights
side, C.L.R. James, and consequences, such as presenting restraints on the into the nature of capitalist development and revo
Terrence Hopkins. ~ use of violence as a political instrument. lutionary agency. Are these insights developed by
Perspectives
J- oonn aannaarrcchhiisstt tthheeoorryy
An Interview with Cedric Robinson
Cedric Robinson:
Black radicals distinct from those generated by necessary for Black radicalism to shadow or Selected Works
similar confrontations among other peoples? reiterate the world-system. There will be no prole
What is similar is the historical tendency to tarian armageddon with capitalism. Centralism is
Black Movements in America.
succumb to the seductions of nationalism on the anathema to revolutionary change for the courage,
New York: Routledge, 1997.
premise that Marxism is essentially Eurocentric. It resolve, and intelligence necessary to defeat
is as a response to the denial of historical agency oppression issues from different historical and Black Marxism: The Making
within Marx that many non-western radicals have cultural sites.
of the Black Radical Tradi
often thrown themselves into nationalist projects. I believe it is necessary for the Black Radical
tion. London: Zed Books,
(Although many recent movements, such as the Tradition to remain focused upon the cultural 1983.
Nicaraguan Sandinistas, are no longer concerned legacies that have provided for its strengths. The
or consumed by that problem.) Tradition is most powerful when it draws on its The Terms of Order: Political
But confrontations with Marx's historical own historical experiences while resisting the
Science and the Myth of Lead
vision are also shaped by the social context in simplifications of Black nationalism. This protocol
ership. Albany, NY: SUNY
which they unfold. The Black Radical Tradition allows for the emergence and recognition of other
Press, 1980.
emerged in the belly of the beast, in a setting radical traditions, drawing their own power from
where physical and cultural problems were very alternative historical experiences.
"Mass Media and the US
immediate and the surveillance of Black radicals
Presidency" in Questioning
was omnipresent. Black radicals thus took slave
the Media: A Critical Intro
society, colonial, and post-colonial society at its /n Bilnatcekg rMala trox itshme dyeovue loaprgmueen tt hoaf tc arapcitiaslmis mis. duction, ed. by John Downing
word and attempted to subvert in on this basis. However, given the emergence of various Asian et al. Thousand Oaks, CA:
Whereas Chinese Marxists, for example, saw economies (including 'socialist' China), it appears
Sage Publications, 1995.
capitalism and the West as an invasive force that capitalism has taken on a much more multi
coming from without. The Chinese revolutionaries cultural character. Has the relationship between "Wr. E. B. DuBois and Black
never conceded to the West its self-definition, and race and capitalism changed in fundamental ways
:Sovereignty,' in Imagining
thus had a different relationship to Marx's and, if so, what does this imply for a radical, anti- Home: Class, Culture, and
historical vision. racist politics?
Nationalism in the African
When we inspect the expansions of capital in
Diaspora, ed. by Sidney J.
Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc. we Lemelle and Robin D. G.
rhe remlaetdioiantsehdi pby b tehetw deeevnel othpem eWnet osft caanpdita Alisfrmic,a is, discover racial protocols. These are encrusted
Kelly. New York: Verso, 1994.
central to your discussion of Black radical from much earlier histories (for example, a
politics. However, at a time when capitalist firms thousand years of slavery in Korea). "Race, Capitalism, and the
are increasingly globalized and various non- What is important to remember is that capital
Anti-Democracy" in Reading
western economies are major factors of the world never develops according to pure market
Rodney King/Reading Urban
economy, the 'West'plays a more ambiguous role exigencies or rational calculus. Whatever the
Uprising, ed. by Robert
as a center of capitalism. How does this change organization of capitalism may be and whoever Gooding-Williams. New
the character of Black radical politics? constitutes its particular agencies, capitalism has a
York: Routledge, 1993.
Changes in capitalism have produced changes specific culture. As Aristotle first revealed, capital
in Black Radical politics and they also provide accumulation is essentially irrational. And as was "In the Year 1915: D.W.
new opportunities. For instance, racial capitalism the case in his time, race, ethnicity, and gender
Griffith and the Whitening of
in England and the US exposes the instability of were powerful procedures for the conduct of
America." Social Identities,
race categories. In England, where South Asians accumulation and value appropriation. Vol. 3, No. 2, June 1997.
are Black as well as Africans and West Indians,
this creates an opportunity for political alliances
"In Search of a Pan-African
which were never anticipated by capitalism. 7ou dreasdcicraiblies ma a nddi athleec ltaicr gebre stwoceiaeln o rBdelar cink
Commonwealth." Social Iden
However, Marx and later Marxists were en which Black radicalism gradually evolves,
tities, Vol. 2, No. 1 Feb. 1996.
thralled with the notion that capital would organize understanding itself more deeply and articulating
the world into a single order and then the prole a more incisive, revolutionary critique. However,
tariat would inherit that ordered world. I have revolutionary, anti-capitalist commitments are far
never conceded the notion that the West has less prevalent in Black politics and theory today
ordered the world in a rational whole: no coherent than a decade or two ago. What does this indicate
order, no singular whole, has ever been forged about the evolution of the Tradition as a whole?
under the authority of capital and the unifying I do not believe that the Black Radical
language of world systems theory simply does not Tradition is at a low point. For example, there are
capture the chaos of capitalism. vanguard movements in the Tradition: think of the
For the purposes of liberation, it is not
Continued on next page ...
Perspectives
JLo onn aannaarrcchhiisstt tthheeoorrvy
... Robinson Continued
Black Studies was seen as preparatory to re-
reception of Nelson Mandela in the US after articulating justice and the Good. Givenb ethtwe edeins tiMncatiroxnissm y oaun dh athvee mBlaadcek
his release from prison. He became a marker The Tradition is by now well prepared Radical Tradition, how do you define your
for the advance of the Black Radical to defend itself against attempts to colonize own political commitments?
Tradition as a whole in the minds of many it: after all Black revolutionists were work What name do you give to the nature of
Black Americans. On the other hand, local ing with George Washington Carver at the Universe? There are some realms in
conditions in places like the US have not Booker T. Washington's Tuskegee preserve. which names, nomination, is premature. My
produced such world historical individuals Imagine the contradictions! only loyalties are to the morally just world;
in recent times. and my happiest and most stunning
But the world is dynamic, constantly As a new and controversial development opportunity for raising hell with corruption
changing, constantly creating new possibil -/1/w the analysis of ethnicity, what role do and deceit are with other Black people. I
ities (see, for instance, how far revolution you think 'Whiteness Studies' can play in suppose that makes me a part, an expression,
ary agendas were pursued by youth gangs in fighting white supremacy and what are its of Black Radicalism.
Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco in limitations?
the post-Civil Rights era). All over the US, Whiteness Studies deconstruct and Tj lease tell me about your forthcoming
Black Radicalism is manifesting itself in decenter whiteness, showing that it is an J. book, The Anthropology of Marxism:
urban churches, in theory (i.e. doctrine) and artifice, that it has a history and one that A Study of Western Socialism?
practice (i.e. volunteerism). What will be the does not go back very far. The best of the This work attempts to extricate the
next phase, when the rule of law becomes work (like George Lipsitz's The Possessive
history and origins of socialism in the West
transparently farcical, the Christian right Investment in Whiteness) is an extension of from Marxism. This requires moving
achieves its fascist perfection, and the State radical Black Studies. beyond the chronological constraints imp
acquires a predominantly carceral posture Although it is currently in fairly osed by Marx (socialism can only follow
towards the majority of Blacks, Latinos, etc.? progressive hands, problems could emerge. capitalism, etc.) and suggesting a more open
For example, it could be used to challenge epistemology of socialism. In a sense I
the very existence of Black Studies. It could revisit familiar sites (Hegel, Kant, Engels,
rhe ciontnefllleicctteuda ls raenlda tpioonpsuhlairp m obveetmweenetns lend itself to arguments such as: "we've etc.) only to mark forgotten and suppressed
is an important theme in your work Does gone too far: we've had Black Studies, now work (e.g. Hegel's study of British political
the emergence of high-profile Black Studies we have White Studies, what we need to do
economy) in order to proceed to the
departments (at Harvard, example) and the is prosecute a universal American identity". unexpected richness of the history of
popularity of writers such as Cornell West, Or, in the same vein: "if you can't give us socialist visions and pursuits.
bell hooks, Henry Louis Gates Jr., etc. mark resources for White Studies then the you
a new stage in the relationship between shouldn't provide resources for Black Tjlease tell me about future projects you
Black intellectuals and movements? Studies." These are possibilities. JL have planned
Hegemonic control of Black Studies is My next project concerns the American
as important to capital as any other field of racial imagination formed from and cast
knowledge production. The selective breed rhe pAemoeplreic iantno thUen civaepritsailtiyst sioncteiagl roartdeesr through American films. This is another
ing of Black intellectuals in this country is and is also the primary setting in which attempt to get at the social imagination,
even older than the appearance of the radical, social criticism is (currently) particularly how it relates to the changing
philanthropic Black colleges of the late 19th developed. How has academia helped or construction of Blackness.
century; and the necessity of dominating hindered your work as radical social critic? As someone fascinated with culture and
Black knowledge production finds a temp The academy is indifferent if not hostile its potentialities, interrogating film is an
late in the Gunnar Myrdahl enterprise in the to Black Studies. Since WWII the Univer other means of determining how popular
years of World War II. sity has become very dependent upon state cultures contest with mass cultures; the latter
However, Black Studies is revolution support and Black Studies has remained being stories about the world and human
ary in its political and historical origins and outside the pale of this support. For ex experience which are manufactured for the
intellectual impulses. To paraphrase C.L.R. ample, the most well funded research on masses by elites. Aristotle once wrote that
James, who insisted that Black Studies was Black youth are essentially police studies. the many are wiser than the few. In the best
the study of Western Civilization, Black Racism simply remains a powerful break on sense of this observation, the conflict
Studies is a critique of Western Civilization. Black Studies and research in the academy. between social history and popular cultures,
This is all too apparent in one of the first The hostility and indifference to Black on the one hand, and induced memories of
articulations of radicalism by David Walker Studies makes collaborative work very the past on the other may be the most
in 1829. Modern slavery, Walker demon difficult. So, too often, serious work is done important site of analysis in a civilization
strated, was not like Ancient Mediterranean in the singularity of private labor. This has whose technicians can now design virtual
slavery; modem Christianity could not presented difficulties for me and many reality. Under these changed circumstances
oblige a Just God; education had to have a others working in the field. This obstacle it becomes even more imperative that we
revolutionary emancipation as its central frustrates not only individual efforts but also can distinguish authentic (historical)
virtue, etc. So at those sites of its inception, the development of Black Studies as such. radicalism from imagined radicalism. ~
8
Perspectives
J- oonn aannaarrcchhiisstt tthheeonrrvy
African Anarchism: Interview with Sam Mbah
— i
Sam
Mbah
African Anarchism: The History of a Movement society. This society is structured such that there is
(See Sharp Press, 1997) by Sam Mbah and I.E. reduced individualism and a collective approach
Igariwey is the first book-length treatment of toward solving problems and living life: reduced Born in 1963 in Enugu, Nige
anarchism and Africa. The authors argue that to its essence, I think that is what anarchism is ria, Sam Mbah embraced anar
anarchism provides a coherent framework with preaching. chism shortly after the collapse
which to comprehend and respond to the multiple African traditional societies also offer some of the Soviet Union while
crises afflicting the continent. I met with Mbah on things we should learn from. For example, studying at the University of
November 4, 1998 at the beginning of his North leadership - especially in societies where feudalism Lagos. Like many radicals, he
American speaking tour. ~ Chuck Morse (and thus chiefdoms) did not develop - was entered a period of deep politi
horizontal and diffused, not vertical. Almost cal reflection after the break
everybody in a given community or village took down of the Eastern Block, one
7ou sdteavtee lothpamt e"ntht eo f ohvuemraalnl steoncdieetyn chya sin b ethene part in decision-making and had a say in anything that prompted him to re
toward social equality and greater individual that involved them. Even the elders would examine his previous Marxist
freedom." Do you share Marx's belief that ordinarily not declare a war against the next commitments and ultimately
capitalism is a progressive development in world- village except if there was a consensus, which was led him to the anti-statist, anti-
history and a necessary precondition of more really the binding force of African society. Also, capitalist politics that is anar
adequate social forms? the extended family system, in which your nephew chism. North American publi
The Marxist position is not completely acc could come live with you and your wife, is cations such as The Torch and
urate. Capitalism was a progressive development definitely something we recommend to anarchism. Love and Rage were especially
during its own epoch: it provided the grounds for So, these are areas in which we think that African important to this process.
the radicalization of the working class, which was ideas could also be incorporated into anarchism.
not possible under feudalism and definitely a step These ideas are enduring, almost in human nature Mbah currently makes his liv
ahead. It was based on this that the struggle against as far as Africa is concerned. ing as the Lagos correspondent
capitalism and the state-system intensified. How for Enugu's Daily Star newspa
ever, I do not think every country or society must per. He is also very active in
pass through this process or that capitalism is a rhe inthaeb ilsittya tteo acnodm cbainpeit aali scmoh weirtehn at ccrriittiiqquuee ooff the Awareness League, an anar
precondition for human progress or development. racism has exacted an enormous toll on chist organization committed to
I also do not think that human history is anarchism. In what sense must an analysis of the libertarian transformation
predictable or can be tied to sequences developed racism and white supremacy complement a class of Nigeria. I The .. Awareness
by historians and writers. I believe that the analysis? League is active in political
capacity of ordinary people in a given society is so The capitalist system we inherited thrives on education^ various social cam
great that it can almost propel them to take destiny the exploitation of workers and other non- paigns, and environmental pro
into their own hands at any point in time. It does dominant classes and also exploits racial tection. It presently has 600
not have to wait until capitalist development has differences. It has instituted a permanent racial members and eleven branches
taken root or the working class has been formed. dichotomy among workers, where there is a group throughout the country.
The peasantry, for example, can also take destiny of privileged workers and another, not so
in their own hands if their consciousness is raised privileged group. There is a double exploitation: Mbah and I.E. Igariwey (the
to a certain level. I do not believe in the an exploitation of the working class in general and co-author of African Anar
compartmentalization of history into stages: I an even greater exploitation of the non-white chism) ore currently working
believe in the capacity of the ordinary people to working class. This was not properly addressed on their next book. This will be
struggle on their own and free themselves at any even by Marxism, because it assumed a unity of an anarchist critique of military
point in time. interests among the working class without dictatorship in Africa, which
reference to the specific kinds of exploitation and they intend to complete by the
deprivation faced by workers. end of 1999 (see page 1).
7 ousry nbdiocoaklis mis, ag trraoduintiodne dd eriinv eda npraimrcahroily- Racism is a key factor in this world and any
from European historical experiences. What working class analysis that seeks to deny this is Mbah sites two Nigerians when
distinctive contributions can the African only being escapist. Racism is simply endemic in asked to recommend other
experience make to anarchism as a whole? capitalism. African authors he finds
We attempted to point this out in our book. It is for workers to comprehend this, as a basis particularly sympathetic to
Although anarchism is not complete without the for unity within their own ranks and to move anarchism: Ikenna Nzimiro and
Western European contributions, we believe there forward. This must be recognized by anarchist the late Mokwugo Okoye.
are elements of African traditional societies that activists and social movements, so as to integrate
can be of assistance in elaborating anarchist ideas. blacks and whites to face a common enemy, which You can contact the Awareness
One of these is the self-help, mutual aid, or is capitalism and the social relations of production League at: AL, POB 1920,
cooperative tradition that is prevalent in African that it puts in place. ~ Enugu State, Nigeria ~
Perspectives
J- oonn aannaarrcchhiisstt tthheeonrryv
... Grant Updates continued from Page 3
Montseny Web Page accessible at http://www.msu.
IAS Grant Will Firth completed his translation of three
edu/user/greenep/FedericaMontseny.html and
Awards Eastern European anarchist writings. The first two
recently published an article entitled "Federica
articles are translations from Russian. They are
Montseny: Chronicler of an Anarcho-Feminist
... Continued from Page 1
entitled "A Survey of the Anarchist Movement in Genealogy" in Letras Peninsulares (Vol. 11, no. 2,
instability, economic diff the Ukraine 1987-1994" and "Under Fire Between 1997: pp. 333-354). She was awarded S900 in
iculties, and lack of freedom the Lines" (about the Volunteer Medical Brigade June 1998.
inherent in the state S3'stem formed by anarchists and socialists during the
and neo-colonial capitalism. 1993 seizure of the Russian parliament). The third Mark Bonhert and Richard Curtis anticipate an
is an excerpt from the Bulgarian language book early 1999 completion date for their project
Drawing on case studies of National Liberation and Libertarian Federalism "Passionate and Dangerous: Conversations with
Nigeria^ Egypt, Zaire, and by Georgi Khadzhieff. He is currently securing Midwestern Anarchists" (formerly "Post-Industrial
other countries, they will publication for the translations. Resources: Anarchist Reconstructive Efforts &
address the role of the military He was awarded S600 in June Visions in the Upper Midwest").
as an institution on the 1998. Left Bank has agreed to
African continent since the distribute their project. They
1960's. j They will j examine Joe Lowndes continues research for were awarded S250 in June 1997.
military dictatorship in an his piece, "Anarchism and the Rise of
historical context, the Rightwing Anti-statism." He is Matt Hern and Smart Chaulk secured a publisher,
relationship between the focusing most recently on the history of Broadview Press, a major Canadian publisher, for
military and state system,; and agrarian radicalism in the US as well as the decline their book The Myth of the Internet: Private
its connection to j the of trust in the government since the Civil Rights Isolation and Local Community. They were
international political order. movement and its link to the development of white awarded SI200 in January 1998.
They will also ■ portray j the class resentment (from Wallace supporters to
repression of free speech: and Reagan Democrats to contemporary rightwing anti- Zoe Erwin and Brian Tokar continue working on
human rights, corruption i and government activists). His next focus will be the their anthology Engineering Life: A People's
economic mismanagement, politics and strategies of current anti-statist move Guide to Biotechnology and anticipate a nearly
and the destruction of ments on the right as both articulations of older complete manuscript by early 1999. They are still
communal African values. forms of agrarian protest and contemporary
looking for a publisher. The Edmonds Institute
responses to the neoliberal state. The expected (Edmonds, WA) has expressed interest in issuing a
The authors will conclude that completion date is May 1999. He was awarded limited pre-publication edition for anti-biotech
overthrowing: military SI000 in June 1998. activists. They were awarded SI000 in June 1997.
dictatorships will not put an
end to the oppressive Lucien van der Walt has nearly completed three Murray Bookchin's work on the Spanish anarchists
conditions on the African out of five chapters for his project, Anarchism and will appear in Vol. 3 of the Third Revolution:
continent. They; will show that Revolutionary Syndicalism in South Africa, 1904- Popular Movements in the Revolutionary Era
military dictatorships are not 1921, including work on the IWW of South Africa, (Castells). He anticipates publication by the end of
isolated aberrations of the the International Socialist League, and the 1999. He was awarded SI000 in January-1997 for
state system and that nothing Industrial Workers of Africa. Sections of the work the completion of the second volume of his
short of an anarchist response are under consideration at various academic
Spanish Anarchists.
to the state and capitalism journals and he has also presented a seminar paper
will fundamentally advance titled "'The Industrial Union is the Embryo of the Chris Day continues work on his book Anarchism
the African people to Socialist Commonwealth': The International and the Zapatista Revolution. He was awarded
freedom. Socialist League and Revolutionary Syndicalism in $2000 in January 1998.
South Africa, 1915-1919." He was awarded $500
The scheduled completion in June 1998. Peter Lamborn Wilson's introduction to the new
date for this project is edition of Enrico Arrigone's (aka Frank Brand)
December 1999. Patricia Greene continues Freedom - My Dream: The Autobiography of
research for her book, Enrico Arrigoni, continues to take shape. He was
If you are interested in Federica Montseny: The awarded $250 in June 1997.
applying for a grant, please Woman and the Ideal/La
send a self-addressed, Mujer y El Ideal, and she Frank Adams continues historical research for his
stamped envelope to the IAS. has recently traveled to piece "The Educational Ideas and Management
Grant applications are also Spain and France to access Practices of 19th and 20th Century Anarchists in
available at the IAS's website: archives and conduct Labor-Owned Cooperatives." He anticipates
http://home.newyorknet.net/ interviews. She has also completion by the end of 1999. He was awarded
ias/Defaulthrm. ~ begun creating the Federica $500 in June 1997.
Montseny
10