Interview for political activism assignment.

This is an interview that India Gumbleu asked me to take part in for her end of year assignment that she's doing about political activism. It feels a bit self indulgent posting it on here but maybe it's a chance to raise some awareness and maybe some people will find it of interest. It's also healing and therapeutic to be given the opportunity so I don't think there's much merit in dismissing the process too much. Anyway, feel free to call me full of shit or a cunt if you find that healing. Each one teach one and all that.

When did you decide you wanted to be involved in campaigning/political activism?

There wasn't a single moment. It was more a series of experiences that sparked my desire to change things, to live in a different world, to create an alternative reality. My mum died when I was three years old which had a massive impact upon me that I have largely repressed. I vividly remember feeling angered when witnessing my best friend being taunted with racist remarks at the age of 4. The boredom that accompanied the classroom combined with the irrelevance of it's lessons fuelled my frustration with education and a passion for its alternatives throughout my teens. This was followed by becoming aware generally of the horrifically unjust nature and logic of global capitalism. All of the above combined with trying to keep my own head above the water all played their part.

Is there political activism in your background/upbringing?

I grew up in a single parent working class family in Thatchers Britain but apart from that, not really. Not in any significant way. My older brother was a positive influence as he got me listening to the Levellers, Public Enemy and Tupac Shakur, which was exciting but apart from that I don't think what you might define as political activism is in my background. It's worth mentioning that to me activism isn't so much about protests and placards as it is about becoming and creating the alternatives you wish to see. In this sense my Father was a huge influence as he raised me in a very loving and caring way.

What motivates you?

I'm motivated by human well being, the alleviation of suffering and social justice. I'm motivated by life, by living, by finding and creating moments and opportunities for myself and others where we can express who we are, fulfil our potentials and flourish into the people we choose to be for ourselves. I'm motivated by the values of dignity, truth, freedom, equality and justice. I'm motivated by all our people, past, present and future, that choose to hold on to what it means to be human, who choose to struggle to maintain their dignity and fight for the dignity of other people. I'm motivated by the alternatives that exist and those choosing to create  them. I am very motivated to fulfil the potential I have so that others may fulfil theirs and vice versa. In order for one to be truly free all must be free.

Whats the most extreme activism youve ever done?

It all depends on what you mean by extreme. To some people saying hello to a stranger walking down the street is extreme. Does 'extreme' mean illegal, subversive, something which takes people out of their comfort zone, something which tips a massively unequal and unjust status quo on its head? I just don't know. I could answer your question by incriminating myself but I'd rather not. I know people that have been involved in subversive graffiti campaigns, blockading the entrance to nuclear weapons manufacturers, shopliftting from hugely unethical corporations and smashing up the Conservative  party headquarters on a protest yet I wouldn't necessarily consider them any more extreme forms of action, and certainly not consider them any more relevant forms of action than helping a stranger in the street, treating a young person as an equal, getting rid of your television or growing your own food. It's an interesting question but I'm afraid I don't fully understand it.

Whats your biggest regret?

My biggest regret is having hurt those closest through putting the bigger picture first and not clearly communicating to them my priorities and the extent to which I'm unwilling to compromise on pursuing my priorities.

In 5 years time where do you see yourself?

I see myself continuing down a path of questioning the answers made readily available by neo-liberal corporate capitalism. I see myself working and learning with others as an equal to create more just, sustainable and liberating alternatives to the status quo. Alongside trying to decrease the extent to whcih I am a part of the problem I shall be simultaneously trying to be a part of the solution. I shall try to become more self-sufficient whilst simultaneously becoming more interdependent with those that live in my locality and I shall be looking to help others by helping myself. The workers cooperative that we're setting up which focusses on popular education shall hopefully be successful in the eyes of those that matter and I shall continue to spread myself thinly across the projects that maximise participation and empowerment within the community.

What issues/campaigns are you currently involved/interested in?

Capitalism and more specifically neo-liberal corporate captialism and it's consequences are my main concern. War, poverty, recession, spending cuts, environmental degradation, depression, genocide, racism, sexism, slavery, ignorance, all of these things concern me and all of these things have capitalism at their root. The global recession caused by the bankers and the bail out and spending cuts which accompany it are a fucking outrage. Described by numerous economists, social scientists and political theorists as being the greatest redistribution of wealth from the poor to the rich in over a century. The genocidal wars for resouces in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya are heartbreaking and their premeditated nature are outrageous. The 20% of the global population that consume 80% of the worlds resources and the ecological collapse present rates of consumption promise is a huge concern. The fact that advanced consumer capitalist countries have the highest rates of depression and that sweatshop labour, slavery and slaughter are the price paid for it is a tragedy. The fundamentally paradoxical education system that indoctrinates young people with ignorance, teaches habits of competition and subordination and reduces critical thinking skills to the service of the market place is a key problem. The list goes on and on and on and on. Every alternative we need to solve the above, however, exists. It's just a matter of will, motivation and action that every single one of us needs to consider taking responsibility for. The fulfilment and ecstacy involved in doing so can only be understood through experience and all it takes is a single step in the right direction to have your first taste. Our future depends on it.

The past...

30 years deep into the game I find myself with the task of writing a 16 bar verse about the past. It's an absurd challenge yet one that demands the expression of a few key events, the consideration of a few key people, the sharing of a couple of lessons learnt plus the obvious confessions that apply to all of us. This is what I came up with. Dedicated to everyone.

I can't big up my father enough for all of the love he gave me and my brother

it must've been tougher than I could've imagined a man having lost the woman he loves

plus his sons Paul & Simon, screaming, crying, trying to find the meaning 

behind the seasons, cycles, leaves that fall, the people dying

eyes wide open - holding on to hope I picked up the microphone,

trying to focus on writing my rhymes not supersizing fries and cokes

my mind was spoken - of broken bones and liars that they vote in

advertisers, occupiers plus these rising tides we float it

- I'm writing my notes and typing up quotes, creating a vision, beleiving

we need to lead by listening, synergy being the key to achieving

our dreams of freedom, being the difference that we are wishing to see

then weaving the you and the me into one, the 'we' we need to keep proceeding

- I've hurt those closest, made mistakes and held regrets

oppressed, coerced and chose to betray the verse they burnt into my flesh

I guess I'm - a person posing the question, asking, hoping to learn to progress

taking action, reflecting on practice so a new world manifests.

I.D.ENTITY