Revolution from Within

My blog has been frighteningly short on controversial stuff. Let's fix that....

Wanna change the world? Well let's figure out where to start. How about we start with a small sphere of influence, before we expand. How can you expect to change anybody else if you haven't changed much yourself? How can you affect change at a local level before you understand the needs of those around you? How can you affect change on a global level, without knowing how to affect change in your own town? Let's not even worry about changing the world yet... the answers and techniques to do so will hopefully become more evident as we struggle to mold ourselves into the kind or person we want to become. So let's go over some basics. First of all, you aren't alone and neither are the other 6 billion people out there that feel the same way. As you being to test your own limits, you'll being to understand the problems that people face all over the world. Let's break it down, shall we?

Health:
Einstein said that the single greatest thing that humanity could do for its own evolution was to become vegetarian. Now I'm not gonna be quite so abrasive about it, but there are reasons aside from health, why we should all reflect on the foods we eat. Personally, aside from the health drawbacks that I perceive, I have nothing against somebody hunting, killing, butchering, and eating their own meat. But even raising animals to be slaughtered is a different story. Knowing where your food comes from will make you much more careful about what food you choose to buy. I can't/won't get into the economic reasons behind it, but as a continent, we North Americans consume way too much imported food that we could just as easily get at home. Instead, we insist on dominating the global market and control many countries simply based on their food exports. Banana republics are one example. Cutting to the chase, the bottom line is that you should buy local, before you buy regional or national or international. It makes sense for a great number of reasons. Be conscious of where your food comes from, the consequences go much further than the grocery store you bought them from. Grow your own food if its even slightly conceivable. When the revolution comes, do you think Overwaitea is gonna stay open for your shopping convenience? Learn how to grow and prepare your own food. Buy organic. We're toxifying the planet. Say no to genetically-modified food. It's fucking our DNA in the ass. Become more responsible about your eating habits. Wanna learn why non-organic and GM foods are so bad for you, and much more? Read Vandana Shiva - Tomorrow's Biodiversity. She's a very popular physicist who quit her job at a high-paying university to support and stand in solidarity with the farmers of India and she explains why in her book. I had to read it for Political Science and it was excellent. Oh and I'm sorry, but eating with your conscience will cost you more money. But if that's a problem, here's the answer.....

Clothing:
Wal-mart is the single largest importer of Chinese goods. That means sweatshops. Thought you were bad-ass by wearing no-name brands? I guess, if you like perpetuating the suffering of girls in third-world countries. Wal-mart is pure evil, plain and simple. Don't wanna spend $90 on that Burton hoody? Good, at least you're got some common sense. Fuck labels, fuck brand names. Wanna learn exactly what makes Wal-Mart and Nike (and McDonald's) so despicable? Read Naomi Klein - No Logo and you'll start to see the bigger picture, it took me two years to read it (I didn't used to read as much), but it was well worth it. Start shopping at thrift stores. You'd be amazed at the awesome stuff you can find. I've probably spent less than 30 dollars on clothing last year. Be creative... sew patches onto plain hoodies, de-label old sweatshop shorts (it's not evil if it's second hand). Still hung up on the idea of wearing something that isn't brand new? Guess what, you're not your fucking khakis, even a hollywood movie could tell you that. I haven't worn a winter jacket since high school, I just layer up on hoodies. Every dollar you spend is a vote for what you believe in.

Transportation:
I drove a Geo Metro for the last year and a half (it's parked now), and it's probably more fuel-economical than anybody's car you know. Guess what? I'm still a piece of shit for it. I mean, don't get me wrong, I loved exploring old logging roads, driving to the back of the Sullivan, and many other remote places, but aside from my backcountry travels, I still drove it everywhere I went, when I could've just as easily walked. Liberate yourself from these horrible o-zone killers and dehumanizers. Take the bus, ride your bike, or walk. If none of those are an option, than carpool. Biking and walking is healthier, not just for you body but for you mind. Too cold to walk? Bullshit, put on another layer.

Music:
Top 40 music is designed to numb you through repetition. Clubs are designed to take your attention and redirect it to getting so intoxicated and horny that you couldn't possibly show up to that early-morning protest. ok, maybe I'm being a little cynical.... maybe not. Don't buy your music from the big stores like HMV, you're better off downloading it. Either get it from an independent store, but it online, or buy it at a concert (that is, if you actually want the money to go towards the people that MADE the music). Oh and sorry to burst your bubble, but once the revolution strikes, we'll be without power. Make yourself useful and buy a set of bingos.

TV:
Turn it off. Today. It's not doing you any good whatsoever. I don't care if it's TLC or Discovery, it's making you LAZY. Oh and CNN lies. So does FOX. Actually..... they all do. I shit you not....

Magazines:
TIME magazine lies, Newsweek lies. Read your local paper (although I head the Golden Star is owned by a suspiciously large company). The national newspapers, guess what? They lie. Adbusters is awesome, but they still print on glossy paper. However, there's an overabundance of excellent publications out there, although in smaller places, they're tough to come by. Keep an eye out for free zines, sometimes you'll find pure gold.

Health:
Learn to meditate. Maybe I'll go into this in more detail one day, but it's quite an intimidating topic even for me. Study a martial art. Non-violence doesn't necessarily mean you can't defend yourself. Learn some self-discipline. Get in shape, you'll feel good about yourself.

Organizations:
I was part of a very progressive, borderline radical group in Kamloops. In fact, it was a university club. Look around. Lots of us can talk the talk, but how many of us actually put thoughts to action and do something to improve the world around us? Networking introduces us to all sorts of new things, helps us build on our ideas, compare perspectives, and perhaps more importantly, support each other.


Look in the mirror....


Be the change you want to see in the world
-Gandhi

Selected listening (sorry if some of these have already appeared).....
Ben Harper - Oppression
Saul Williams - Not in Our Name
Talib Kweli - Beautiful Struggle
Sweatshop Union - Any Reason, & The Thing About It, & Don't Be Afraid
Michael Franti & Spearhead - We Don't Stop, & Rock the Nation
Offspring - Something To Believe In
Randy - You Are What You Fight For, & If We Unite, & Karl Marx and History
Social Distortion - Don't Drag Me Down
NOFX - Murder the Government
Pennywise - Something To Change, & Society, & Waiting, & Look Who You Are, & Fuck Authority
Bad Religion - Kyoto Now, & I Want To Conquer The World, & Punk Rock Song
Morning Glory - The Whole World Is Watching
Anti-Flag - Underground Network, & Tearing Down The Borders, & A New Kind Of Enemy
Thought Riot - I Voted For Nader
Plus all the Rise Against I've already recommended