Anarchism is nothing if it’s not dynamic—the urge to create and destroy, and create again from the rubble, even of one’s own projects. Anarchism is thinking yet also rethinking for oneself, in the good companionship of others. Anarchism is experimentation, and when it feels that the experimentation hasn’t quite taken hold or isn’t quite working, being willing to return to the do-it-ourselves drawing board to sketch anew. Anarchism is reflecting on what we do in circular, nonlinear ways, which can mean circling back to the start of an idea and shifting direction.
Which leads me, in my usual meandering way, to a TAKE TWO of a “CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS” to my next curated zine of varied anarchist voices, now tentatively titled:
“Our Dreams Will Never Fit in Ballot Boxes: Anarchist Examples of Encouraging Liberals to Break Free”
Length: 80 to 250 words
Due: By or before October 27
Email: cbmilstein {at} yahoo
In my initial “call” for this zine, I was a bit confused about who this zine was speaking to—liberals or anarchists. Yet as a dear friend pointed out, this zine “series” has been directed AT anarchists, by anarchists (for PDFs of the prior zines, search “Cindy Milstein” on itsgoingdown.org or @sheerspite).
Moreover, it was unclear (to me!) what I was looking for. Yet the No Kings rallies this weekend, another take (bad) two, underscores for me that we anarchists need to speak to each other about how we hold out welcoming hands to liberals to aid them in breaking free from their statist boxes; how we make anarchism a “beautiful idea” for liberals to embrace; and/or how we work with and around liberals without abandoning or watering down our ethics (or pulling our hair out).
So: send me your anecdotes! I’m eager for stories of actual examples—things you’ve done and/or seen that even in a small way, actually worked to win some liberal(s) heart and mind over to anarchistic practices, projects, and values. Because we not only need more antifascists, we need ones who’re opposed to hierarchy and domination in general—and striving for liberation and freedom for all by acting now as if we’re already free.
(photo: my wandering feet find a circle A, Athens, 2025)
