I mean, who exactly does one go to if they wish to defeat air pollution or war? The former is a consequence of industrialization and technological-production; the latter is a ripple in the pond because of the existence of the State and it’s rule. So perhaps instead of engaging in the State’s discourse or remaining apathetic towards it, we should oppose it.

Never seek representation from *anyone*. The State is the predominant provider of representation but most pro-revolutionaries are just as eager to recruit people to their organizations and increase their head count. Organizations like NEFAC (North Eastern Federation of Anarchist-Communists) and BAAM (Boston Anti-Authoritarian Movement) are examples of formal organizations that only wish to be representative bodies for ‘working class interests’ (whatever the hell that means…). So, if you’re in the north east and you’re interested in pro-revolutionary theory and practice, watch out for them. Don’t get sucked into their programs and boring ideology (all ideology is boring, really).

Act on your own time, your own energy, and your own interest. If gentrification affects you, find ways of conflicting with it. Maybe try to rile people up and get them to go nuts on the developers; or sabotage equipment used by the developers. Harass the local politicians in your city (i.e. stab their car tires, destroy their property etc etc). And if all of that seems too risky you could always rack (or buy) some spray paint and make some artwork on selected targets.

However, in Harlem Renaissance, Technique is not talking about the housing crisis … he is talking about gentrification. Click the link above and check out the lyrics for clarification.

Check out Immortal Technique’s Harlem Renaissance.

That’s really what opposition to politics is – the desire to overcome the matrix of political issues that pro-revolutionaries get tangled up in. Why would I engage in anti-war activism? The effects of the American State’s military adventures is just a detached image of death and war. And besides, the Iraqis have almost entirely succumbed to nationalist and religious organizations. I don’t share their struggle. If anything I’m opposed to the Iraqis and Afghans ‘resistance’. Islamists aren’t cool. I’m sure those who are subjected to American militarism have it in them to engage in anti-authoritarian struggle, but they haven’t shown it yet.

If a decision made by the State affects you, then conflict with it. Literally. Not Rambo style like the armed strugglists would have you do, but in a way that’s determined by you; and in a manner that still attempts to negate the affects of that decision. No protests. No petitions. No voting. No demands. Just silent, anonymous negation of the State’s authority.

Like this: http://www.geocities.com/amurderofcrows1/issue1/fire_at_midnight.htm (you allow html?)

Sabotage is only one example though. See where I’m comin from with this? Sorry if this isn’t really the appropriate place to engage in a discussion like this.

I’m not sure about your view that political issues have nothing to do with people’s lives, though. Maybe if your revolution ever does take place, that would be true. But as long as our “society” exists, even if only in a representational form, the issues of that society are going to be pertinent to our lives. And that alone requires our participation and attention.

For example, our “society” has a foreign policy that’s purely political. Given your point, that political issue would not affect us since it is a problem of a society that really only exists in theory. But hasn’t that political issue still affected the lives of everyone who’s died or had a friend/family member die as a result of the political decisions made around this foreign policy stance? Because that death is something you can, as you said, see, hear, smell, feel and taste everyday.

If we simply ignore the state’s discourse as you recommend, that puts us in a position where we’d just be pretending that the state’s decisions don’t affect us when they clearly do. Like the pink elephant in the room. Society may or may not be the problem, but as long as the state has discourse we have to recognize the existence of this discourse and the manner in which its decisions affects us.

And let’s face it … most people, and many hip-hoppers, don’t read. If hip-hop can provide an alternate source of information or viewpoint into this state discourse, then from my standpoint the MORE political hip-hop is, the better.

Now I’m not saying hip-hop should or should not be political. I’m just saying that I’m down for it if it is, and I’m down for it if it isn’t.

It doesn’t matter to me if you can comprehend the subjects I’m talking about, as long as you can feel the bite of my words. I used to be in love with the hip hop subculture; now, looking back at it all from where I’m standing now, I can see that it really isn’t anything special. But it’s still my favorite form of music though!!

So here’s another treat for ya:

The less political hip hop is, the better. Don’t be mistaken though, I’m a pro-revolutionary through and through and I’ll remain one ’til my dying days. But you need to understand what politics is. Political issues have nothing to do with peoples daily lives, and that’s where true revolution arises from – daily life. Political issues are simply problems *Society* faces conflated into a representable form. But Society is clearly the greatest problem. And personally, I’m opposed to representation. The only one who can wipe my ass is me (well, maybe when I get really old someone will have to do it for me…but you get my point). A pro-revolutionary that doesn’t want to remain irrelevant opposes politics and political discourse – opposition to representation and mediation. Anti-politics.

People don’t need to be involved with politics in order to be radical. The greatest form of radicalism is that which comes from what you see, hear, smell, feel, and taste everyday. Revolution is existential, not political.

Maybe that makes sense, maybe it doesn’t. All I know is, is that when it comes time to get down with revolution, I’m not gonna do it for you, her, him, or them; I’ll do it for myself and those I love. Self-interest beats self-sacrifice. What good are you to revolution if you’re willing to be a martyr for some ’cause’? A dead revolutionary is a bad revolutionary. Ya feel me?

Anyway…the smart thing to do is to ignore the State’s discourse. If you have radical feelings then apply them to your own experiences. Make your own discourse; that in itself is radical. The State exercises absolute authority (*Sovereignty*), so it will always attempt to set the ‘public discourse’.

I never said that supporting Obama equated to awareness. All I meant is that while dude was running for president, hip-hop got involved. We made songs and videos talking about what was going on. We watched the debates. We took interest in the problems we are facing as a nation. We got out and voted.

But since then, I feel that the conversation has ended. Hip-Hop stopped being politically involved. And I give Lif credit for bringing some of these topics back to the forefront. That’s all I was saying with this review.

Tell you what, if supporting Obama is ‘awareness’, then Stalinists are communists! You liberal types are way too damn easy; for real.

Mr. Lif is good though. His song “Live from the Plantation” was probably the first hip hop song I ever heard that came close to being an anti-work anthem.

Oh, and fuck ‘awareness’ too. Getting a good nights sleep and eating good food is enough to keep you aware and awake. Ain’t nothing to revolution but making sure you do what’s good for you and those you love. Economies clearly aren’t conducive with human health and happiness. Neither is commodified shelter and judicial ideology. So I’m wondering if ‘economic instability’, housing crises, and ’social injustices’ are things that really need to be payed attention to.

Hmmm…?