Wednesday, January 19, 2005

What isn't Political?

Here's a question to ponder: what act isn't political in some way?

I once had a long discussion with a friend of mine, Jordan Atkins, who I lived with in Chicago after college. He is a Vegan, runs a straight-edged hardcore label, and is quite the director himself. Did great work with Genet. Also, strangely enough, Jordan played Championship High School Football in Texas. So honestly, there really isn't a topic I wouldn't feel comfortable taking his view seriously on.

His view, and it's not uncommon, is that everything is political. That the "political" is simply how we act as a society, and every action in a society that is part of against the structure of that society (all actions that I can think of) is political.

Walking a dog can be political to an animal right's activist. Buying a car is political to Critical Mass. Eating a hamburger is political; buying diamonds for a wedding is political; standing on a stage as opposed to appearing on a screen is political... it's all about who is observing the act and what they find important. And, even if we "pick our causes" that doesn't mean that you're not affecting a battle being fought somewhere, unbeknownst to you, with your dollar.

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