ECOLOGY OF EVERYDAY LIFE
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TIhree Moments Of IIIustrmIve OpposiTioN
Illustrative opposition unfolds in three phases. In the first critical moment, we
recognize a particular form of social or political injustice, responding in turn
with critique. In this moment, we may sort through the separate strands which
compose the central cord of a particular form of injustice. We may analyze
how this form of injustice surfaces and is perpetuated within realms of the
social, the political, and the State. In the critical moment, we ask ourselves
what makes this particular form of injustice unique or particular, asking: How is
this form of injustice different from other injustices; why has it become a
crucial issue at this point in time; or what makes it historically unique?
In the critical moment, we look at the historical development of the
particular issue, examining in turn, the lesser known radical history which
surrounds the form of injustice. Hence we would ask: Were there attempts in
the past to resist this form of injustice; what made these attempts successful or
unsuccessful; what is to be learned from both the history of how this injustice
came to be, and the history of what almost was, or would have been?
In the second reconstructive moment, we begin to draw out the wider
reconstructive potential nascent within the struggle against a particular form of
injustice. We begin by examining the implications of engendering wider
conditions of justice surrounding the issue within the realms of the social,
political and the State, examining in turn, the ecological implications of the
particular injustice at hand for each sphere. Here, we explore how to transform
each sphere of society sufficiently in order to thoroughly transcend the
particular form of injustice. Ultimately, the reconstructive moment serves as an
opportunity to draw out the social and political conditions that are necessary to
sufficiently oppose and transcend the particular form of injustice.
Finally, the third moment constitutes the illustrative moment. Here, we
begin to elaborate ways to articulate and demonstrate the many insights we
glean as we move through the previous moments. There are many forms
through which we may express these comprehensive insights: We may print
pamphlets which are critical, historical, and reconstructive in nature; develop a
performance piece that integrates our insights and conclusions; take direct
action, creating banners with slogans that point to salient threads of our overall
analysis or vision; articulate our analysis on alternative and mainstream media
such as pirate radio or the Internet;
or create teach-ins and ongoing
lecture-discussion series within our communities.
Our ‘illustrations’ must be utopian and visibly socio-erotic. For our goal is
not only to inform, but to inspire ourselves and others to take direct action. As
previously discussed, we need to restore to the erotic a distinctly social
meaning, articulating the different ‘moments’ or aspects of social desire,
cultivating
a
language
to
describe
our yearnings
for
community
and