building resistance in toxic times Anarchist interventions -- 07
316 pages
English language
Published Jan. 23, 2017
"Why do radical movements and spaces sometimes feel laden with fear, anxiety, suspicion, self-righteousness, and competition? Montgomery and Bergman call this phenomenon rigid radicalism: congealed and toxic ways of relating that have seeped into social movements, posing as the "correct" way of being radical. In conversation with organizers and intellectuals from a wide variety of political currents, the authors explore how rigid radicalism smuggles itself into radical spaces, and how it is being undone."--Back of cover.
Some great points made: especially the comparisons between "rigid radicalism" and a bootstraps-fetish middle class.
ok so I really liked this book in the beginning, but the authors repeat the main talking points over and over, which was a little tiresome. still, it had a lot of eye-openers and I liked the general direction, idea & tone of it.
there is also a critique up on the anarchist library: theanarchistlibrary.org/library/anon-on-the-poverty-of-joyful-militancy
I am not a great fan of lumping everything one fights against into one big thing and calling it Empire... I think most thoughts in the book would have gained some clarity if it had called capitalism, racism, patriarchy, etc. by their name.
