So I have been uploading some documentaries about anarchist history to DTube and rewatching them as I do so and it is very striking seeing how anarchist solidarity used to be so strong. If there was a revolution or civil war that anarchists were involved in it wasn't even in doubt that thousands of anarchists from all over the world would travel there and join the struggle.
During the Mexican revolution of 1910 anarchist members of labor unions in the USA especially the IWW expressed and acted with solidarity in various ways including travelling to Mexico to join the fight. IWW chapters held forums discussing the revolution and collected money and firearms for those fighting. Hundreds of IWW members in the USA went south and joined the fight. So many members from the San Diego chapter went that the chapter was disbanded because there was almost no members left . Joe Hill wrote songs and went himself.
During the Spanish Civil War thousands of anarchists went to Catalonia to man the barricades. They joined the CNT-FAI and the POUM. People from almost every country with an anarchist movement including USA, Russia, Ukraine, Ireland, France, England, Italy, Germany, Mexico, and Canada. Even 67 year old Emma Goldman went to join the fight.
We are seeing a resurgence of anarchism today with groups like Antifa gaining popularity. It seems many of us are trapped in our compartmentalized world of social media and modern life. Let's not forget how close our comrades who came before us were at creating a society with 'no gods and no masters'. The entire economic and military might of the west sopported Franco to crush the anarchist society being created in Catalonia during the Spanish Civil War. We need to join together with as much enthusiasm and fury as they do when fighting against us.
Some have headed to Rojava to fight alongside the Kurds who are attempting to create a new society based on the ideas of Bookchin and Ocalan. That is a good sign but how many have gone to Chiapas to join the Zapatistas who have been fighting for over 20 years now? How often do we even attempt to bring attention and support our comrades fighting in these places? Even if we can not or will not go we should offer full support any way we can.
This post was made while reflecting on my own plans and as self criticism of them. It is not an attack on anyone else's tactics and actions. Here is what I'm doing instead of fighting for a better world for us all.
