,BREAK+ ,) ,CONS5SUS ,REALITY 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,CRIME?,9C4 

,TEXT 3 

,WE :O FI<T TO CREATE A FRE] WORLD FACE A FUNDAM5TAL CONTRADICTION4 ,ON ONE H&1 WE DON'T WANT TO BECOME A VANGU>D1 0LEAD+0 OR IMPOS+ \R WILL ON O!RS1 AS ?AT W\LD RUN C\NT] TO \R ANTI-AU?ORIT>IAN VALUES4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 WE BELIEVE ) GOOD JU/IFICATION ?AT \R POLITICAL GOALS--9CLUD+ ! DE/RUCTION ( CAPITALISM1 ! /ATE1 & HI]>*Y--CAN'T BE ACCOMPLI%$ )\T /RATEGIES ?AT >E CURR5TLY UNPALATABLE TO MO/ ( \R FELL[ CITIZ5S4 ,! IMPOV]I%M5T ( MILLIONS & ! DE/RUCTION ( \R ECOSY/EMS DEM& ?AT WE ACT DECISIVELY4 ,:AT CRIT]IA WILL EQUIP US TO *ALL5GE !SE SY/EMS )\T RESORT+ TO ! AU?ORIT>IAN MEANS WE CONDEMN8 

,SOME ( US HAVE DEVELOP$ A PRACTICE ( PRIORITIZ+ CONS5T AS A PROVISIONAL ANSW] TO ?IS DILEMMA4 ,?IS DISC\RSE COMES TO US ?R\< $UCATORS :O PROMOTE IT AS A TOOL = FO/]+ MUTUALLY RESPECTFUL SEXUALITY 9 ! MID/ ( A RAPE CULTURE4 ,APPLY+ ?IS MODEL 9 \R 9TIMATE RELATION%IPS & BEYOND1 WE SEEK TO RESPECT O!RS' AUTONOMY BY NOT SUBJECT+ !M TO ACTIONS ?AT VIOLATE !IR CONS5T--?AT IS1 BY /AY+ )9 ! B\ND>IES ( O!RS' DESIRES AS !Y DET]M9E & >TICULATE !M4 ,WE REJECT CO]CION ( ANY =M1 :E!R PHYSICAL1 V]BAL1 ECONOMIC1 OR O!RWISE1 & ASS]T \R SELF-DET]M9ATION TO P>TICIPATE 9 OR AB/A9 FROM :ATEV] WE *OOSE4 

,YET \TSIDE ( ! SEXUAL REALM1 CONS5T DISC\RSE DOESN'T ALWAYS (F] A SUFFICI5T FRAMEWORK ) :I* TO EVALUATE DIRECT ACTION TACTICS & /RATEGY4 ,KN[+ :E!R AN ACTION IS CONS5SUAL MAY NOT SUFFICE TO 9DICATE :E!R IT IS EFFECTIVE OR WOR?:ILE4 ,AW>E ?AT MO/ PEOPLE OPPOSE SOME ( \R TACTICS1 WE DON'T PLAN \R ACTIONS ON ! BASIS ( CONS5T1 YET WE DON'T ASPIRE TO BECOME A VANGU>D1 EI!R4 ,FUR!RMORE1 S9CE WE CAN ONLY DESIRE ON ! BASIS ( :AT WE KN[1 WE'RE UNLIKELY TO A*IEVE LIB]ATION FROM SIMPLY FULFILL+ ! DESIRES WE HAVE N[ )\T *ANG+ ! CONDITIONS ?AT PRODUC$ !M4 ,SO H[ ELSE MI<T WE CONCEIVE ( \R POLITICAL PROJECT1 IF NOT ?R\< ! L5S ( CONS5T8 

,A CLOSE EXAM9ATION ( \R ACTIVITIES REVEALS ?AT 9 SETT+ \T TO FOM5T 9SURRECTION & TRANS=M SOCIETY1 WE APPE> TO BE OP]AT+ ACCORD+ TO A LOGIC ( S$UCTION4 ,>E WE PREP>$ TO ACCEPT ! IMPLICATIONS ( ?IS REFRAM+8 ,LET'S BEG9 BY EXAM9+ ! POLITICS ( CONS5T & !IR LIMITATIONS4 

,IS ,CONS5T ,5\<8 

,AT FIR/ GLANCE1 ! NOTION ( BAS+ \R POLITICAL PRACTICE ON A !ORY ( CONS5T MAKES 9TUITIVE S5SE4 ,:AT'S \R CRITIQUE ( ! /ATE8 ,IT'S A BODY ?AT WIELDS P[] OV] US EV5 TO ! PO9T ( LIFE & DEA?1 & YET NO ONE EV] ASK$ US IF WE WANT$ TO BE GOV]N$4 ,ELECTIONS DON'T EV5 BEG9 TO (F] US ! MEAN+FUL ALT]NATIVES TRUE CONS5T W\LD REQUIRE4 ,IT'S BE5 SAID BE=E3 \R DESIRES WILL NEV] FIT 9 !IR BALLOT BOXES4 ,WE PROMOTE ! PR9CIPLE ( VOLUNT>Y ASSOCIATION--! FRE$OM TO =M :ATEV] GR\PS & COLLECTIVES WE WANT )\T BE+ COMPELL$ TO P>TICIPATE 9 ANY4 ,WE NEV] HAD ! *ANCE TO SAY NO TO CAPITALISM1 TO GOV]NM5T1 TO POLICE1 TO ALL ! SY/EMS ( HI]>*Y ?AT IMPOSE !IR RULE--SO CLE>LY ?OSE CAN'T BE CONS5SUAL 9 ANY MEAN+FUL WAY4 ,AS WE DO AWAY ) ! CO]CIVE SY/EMS ?AT DOM9ATE \R LIVES1 WE CAN RECON/RUCT NEW SOCIAL RELATIONS BAS$ ON CONS5T3 A WORLD 9 :I* NO ONE CONTROLS ANYONE ELSE1 9 :I* WE CAN DET]M9E \R [N DE/9IES4 

,IT MAKES S5SE 444 DOESN'T IT8 ,C]TA9LY1 ?IS DISC\RSE ( CONS5T (F]S A COMPELL+ WAY TO IMAG9E ! WORLD WE WANT TO LIVE 94 ,BUT H[ DOES IT S]VE AS A /RATEGY = DISLODG+ ?IS ONE8 ,IT'S DIFFICULT TO 5VISION A POLITICAL PRACTICE ?AT /R+5TLY RESPECTS ! CONS5T ( ALL PEOPLE :ILE SIMULTANE\SLY DE/ROY+ ! FABRIC ( \R HI]>*ICAL SOCIETY4 ,IF WE 9SI/ ON ! UNITY ( MEANS & 5DS1 WE HAVE TO DISMANTLE CO]CIVE 9/ITUTIONS & SOCIAL RELATION%IPS ?R\< NON-CO]CIVE PROCESSES TO BUILD A NON-CO]CIVE SOCIETY4 ,AB&ON+ ?IS VISION C\LD UND]M9E ! V]Y BASIS ( \R AN>*ISM4 ,YET IF WE DON'T SUCCE$ 9 DISLODG+ CAPITALISM & ! /ATE1 ! BASES ( ECONOMIC & POLITICAL CO]CION1 WE'LL NEV] >RIVE AT A SOCIETY 9 :I* A CONS5T-BAS$ FRAMEWORK C\LD ACTUALLY BE T5ABLE4 

,H[ CAN WE RESOLVE !SE DILEMMAS8 ,LET'S LOOK MORE CLOSELY AT :AT WE MEAN BY CONS5T1 & H[ IT OP]ATES 9 \R SOCIETY & 9 \R MOVEM5TS4 

,CONS5SUS ,REALITY1 ,NONVIOL5CE1 ,LIB]AL ,CONS5T 

,P[] & CONS5T >E CRITICALLY 9T]TW9$4 ,P[] IMBALANCES MAKE IT DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO GIVE CONS5T FREELY4 ,CAN A MU* OLD] P]SON HAVE CONS5SUAL SEX ) A V]Y Y\NG P]SON8 ,CAN SOMEONE :O IS SUBJECT$ TO ANO!R'S ECONOMIC CONTROL FREELY CONS5T TO ?AT P]SON'S DESIRES8 ,= CONS5T TO BE MEAN+FUL1 IT MU/ BE POSSIBLE TO SAY NO1 ANY TIME & = ANY REASON1 ON ONE'S [N T]MS4 ,:5 ! /ATE MONOPOLIZES ! USE ( =CE & ! ECONOMY CONTROLS ACCESS TO \R V]Y MEANS ( SURVIVAL1 WE CANNOT MEAN+FULLY *OOSE4 ,WE CALL ! B\ND>IES 5CLOS+ \R ABILITY TO CONS5T UND] !SE CONDITIONS CONS5SUS REALITY4 

,CONS5SUS REALITY IS ! RANGE ( POSSIBLE ?\<T & ACTION )9 A SY/EM ( P[] RELATIONS4 ,IT IS 5=C$ NOT ONLY ?R\< TRADITIONAL 9/ITUTIONS ( CONTROL--SU* AS MASS M$IA1 RELIGION1 & ! FAMILY--BUT ALSO ?R\< ! 9NUM]ABLE SUBTLE NORMS MANIFE/$ 9 COMMON S5SE1 CIVIL DISC\RSE1 & DAY-TO-DAY LIFE4 ,IT ISN'T SIMPLY ! AGGREGATE ( ALL \R DESIRES1 MELD$ TOGE!R 9 A GREAT COMPROMISE ?AT ALL[S US ALL TO GET ALONG1 AS DEMOCRATIC MY?OLOGY W\LD HAVE IT4 ,CONS5SUS REALITY CON/ITUTES ! RUL+ CLASS'S COORD9AT$ ATTEMPT TO UPHOLD !IR DOM9ANCE & \R EXPLOITATION AS EFFICI5TLY AS POSSIBLE4 ,CAPITALI/ DEMOCRACY SECURES ?AT EFFICI5CY2 IT IS ! SY/EM ?AT CURR5TLY PROVIDES ! L>GE/ NUMB] ( PEOPLE ) 9C5TIVE TO P>TICIPATE 9 !IR [N EXPLOITATION4 ,IT (F]S US A S]IES ( MEAN+LESS OPTIONS TO DISGUISE A PR(\ND LACK ( AG5CY OV] \R LIVES4 ,! TRUMP C>D ( CAPITALI/ DEMOCRACY IS ! IDEA ?AT EV]YONE'S CONS5T IS RESPECT$ 9 A M>KETPLACE ( IDEAS )9 :I* DESIRES CAN BE FREELY EXPRESS$ & 9FLU5C$4 

,WE CAN >GUE ?AT ?IS M>KETPLACE ISN'T TRULY FREE--CORPORATIONS CONTROL ! MASS M$IA1 SOME VIEWS GET MORE AIRTIME ?AN O!RS1 ?US ! CONS5T IS NOT FULLY 9=M$--BUT ?IS DOESN'T GET AT ! HE>T ( ?+S4 ,OBVI\SLY1 EQUAL ACCESS TO MEANS ( 9FLU5CE ON A LEVEL PLAY+ FIELD IS IMPOSSIBLE 9 CAPITALI/ SOCIETY4 ,BUT IT IS ! SY/EMS ( P[]1 NOT JU/ SPEE*1 ?AT DET]M9E ! FRAMEWORK )9 :I* WE EXP]I5CE REALITY4 ,ALL POLITICAL SY/EMS--:E!R AN>*I/1 FASCI/1 OR DEMOCRATIC--PRODUCE P>TICUL> PATT]NS ( SOCIAL RELATIONS4 ,M]E DISCUSSION ( !SE SY/EMS DOES NOT2 IT CANNOT TRANSC5D ! FRAMEWORK 9 :I* IT OCCURS4.<#a.> ,FREE SPEE* DISC\RSE (F]S EA* ( US \R [N BOX ( COLOR$ *ALK TO DECORATE ! CEM5T BLOCKS >\ND \R FEET1 & CALLS ?AT FRE$OM2 :E!R WE CAN WALK AWAY DOESN'T EV5 5T] 9TO ! PICTURE4 ,\R EXP]I5CE ( :AT WE >E & >5'T ABLE TO DO DET]M9ES \R S5SE ( :AT IS POSSIBLE F> MORE ?AN \R IDEAS & DISC\RSES4 ,TO %IFT ! B\ND>IES ( \R IMAG9ATION & DESIRES1 WE HAVE TO F9D WAYS TO MAKE NEW EXP]I5CES POSSIBLE BEYOND ! B\NDS ( CONS5SUS REALITY4 

,TAKE1 = EXAMPLE1 ! DEBATES AB\T VIOL5CE & NONVIOL5CE ?AT RAGE 9 EV]Y ORGANIZ+ COALITION & ,OCCUPY MOVEM5T4 ,:AT IS VIOL5CE8 ,AT FIR/ GLANCE1 ! T]M SEEMS TO HAVE NO MORE COH]5CE ?AN ! ,SUPREME ,C\RT DEF9ITION ( OBSC5ITY3 ,I CAN'T DEF9E IT1 BUT ,I KN[ IT :5 ,I SEE IT4 ,?IS MAKES IT AN ESPECIALLY DANG]\S TOOL :5 WIELD$ BY LIB]ALS TO CONTROL GR\P NORMS4 ,BUT RECALL+ ?AT VIOL5CE SPR+S FROM ! SAME ROOT AS VIOLATION HELPS US GET AT ! MEAN+ BEH9D H[ ! WORD IS US$4 ,:AT IS CALL$ VIOL5CE IS ANY VIOLATION ( NORMS AB\T LEGITIMATE USE ( =CE1 NORMS DICTAT$ BY ! /ATE & 9CORPORAT$ 9TO \R CONS5SUS REALITY4 ,! DEBATE AB\T VIOL5CE IS REALLY A COD$ DISC\RSE 9 :I* NONVIOL5CE /&S 9 = CONS5T2 :5 WE ATTEMPT TO MAKE SPACE = AUTONOMY & DIV]SITY ( TACTICS1 \R OPPON5TS P]CEIVE US AS DISREG>D+ CONS5T SIMPLY = OPPOS+ ! T]MS ( CONS5SUS REALITY4 

,OBS]VE H[ AN ANXI\S LIB]AL FROM \R LOCAL ,OCCUPY MOVEM5T1 DISMAY$ BY AN ILLEGAL BUILD+ OCCUPATION UND]TAK5 BY AUTONOM\S OCCUPI]S1 /RIVES TO DI/ANCE ! ,OCCUPY GR\P FROM ! OCCUPATION4 ,HE SAYS TO A REPORT]3 0,\R MOVEM5T IS NONVIOL5T1 IT IS PEACEFUL1 & IT DOES NOT BREAK ! LAW40 ,! BUILD+ OCCUPATION 9VOLV$ NO PHYSICAL VIOL5CE1 NOR DAMAGE TO PROP]TY1 NOR ANY?+ ?AT C\LD BE CON/RU$ AS VIOL5T EV5 )9 HIS [N DEF9ITION1 :]EAS ! EVICTION BY RIFLE-WIELD+ ?UGS WAS VIOL5T 5\< TO %OCK PEOPLE ACROSS ! POLITICAL SPECTRUM4 ,H[ CAN WE MAKE S5SE ( ?IS SEEM+ CONTRADICTION8 

,IT SEEMS ?AT ! MEAN+FUL S5SE ( VIOL5CE H]E IS A RUPTURE ( CONS5SUS REALITY4 ,?IS LIB]AL WI%ES TO COMMUNICATE ?AT ! BUILD+ OCCUPATION FELT LIKE A VIOLATION ( HIS CONS5T4 ,:Y8 ,BECAUSE IT WAS RELAT$ TO A CURR5T 9 :I* HE FELT 9VE/$1 YET HE HAD NOT BE5 9VIT$ TO P>TICIPATE 9 DECISION-MAK+1 & IT 9VOLV$ ACTIONS ?AT HE P]SONALLY DISDA9$4 ,( C\RSE1 WE UND]TOOK ! OCCUPATION AUTONOM\SLY PRECISELY = ?AT REASON3 WE KNEW WE C\LD NEV] A*IEVE CONS5SUS 9 ! PUBLIC G5]AL ASSEMBLIES TO DO SOME?+ ?AT SO DRAMATICALLY *ALL5G$ CONS5SUS REALITY4 ,:E!R OR NOT ! OCCUPATION HURT ANYONE WAS BESIDE ! PO9T3 ITS 0VIOL5CE0 HAD LESS TO DO ) ITS LIT]AL EFFECTS ?AN ITS *ALL5GE TO CONS5SUS REALITY4 ,TO HIM1 SU* A *ALL5GE CON/ITUT$ A VIOLATION ( COLLECTIVE CONS5T4 

,LET'S CALL ?IS LIB]AL CONS5T3 ! NOTION ?AT WE MU/ ADH]E TACTICALLY TO ! MO/ CONS]VATIVE COMMON D5OM9ATOR OR ELSE VIOLATE O!RS' CONS5T4 ,WE ALL HAVE TO PUT UP ) ?IS SY/EM1 SO ! LOGIC GOES1 :E!R WE *OSE IT OR NOT1 BECAUSE ANY VIOLATION W\LD PUT US ALL AT RISK4 ,?IS GOES BEYOND A CRITIQUE ( REPRES5TATION--Y\ %\LDN'T C>RY \T AN ACTION ON MY BEHALF )\T MY CONS5T--TO A CRITIQUE ( AUTONOMY1 S9CE LIT]ALLY ANY ACTION ?AT PRESUMES AFF9ITY ) O!RS IS SUBJECT TO ! B\ND>IES DICTAT$ BY CONS5SUS REALITY4 

,?IS IS ! RISK ( EMBRAC+ A FRAMEWORK ( POLITICAL CONS5T4 ,)9 ?IS LOGIC1 ! MO/ MOD]ATE ELEM5TS ( ANY GR\P OR COALITION WILL DOM9ATE BY VIRTUE ( !IR ALIGNM5T ) CONS5SUS REALITY4 ,:AT'S ,O,K = ANYBODY IS BAS$ ON :AT'S ,O,K = EV]YBODY1 :I* MAKES \R /RATEGIES = *ANG+ ?IS WORLD LOOK SUSPICI\SLY SIMIL> TO ! WORLD WE'RE TRY+ TO *ANGE4 ,IF WE DO 9 FACT DESIRE A RADICAL BREAK ) :AT EXI/S1 LET'S NOT TRAP \RSELVES 9 A FRAMEWORK ALIGN$ ) ! SY/EMS WE WANT TO DE/ROY4 

,NONVIOL5CE IS ! ONLY IDEOLOGY ?AT CAN COMPREH5SIVELY PROTECT CONS5SUS REALITY AGA9/ ! ANTAGONISM ( ALL :O W\LD TRANS=M IT4 ,BY PREEMPTIVELY CONDEMN+ ANY?+ ?AT EXCE$S ! P>AMET]S ( CIVIL DISC\RSE1 IT 5SURES ?AT ANY RESI/ANCE WILL ULTIMATELY /R5G!N ! UND]LY+ FRAMEWORK ( AU?ORITY1 & EV5 PASSES RESPONSIBILITY = POLIC+ ON TO ! LOYAL OPPOSITION4 ,LIB]AL COMPLICITY ) VIOL5T SY/EMS ( CONTROL CAN BE 0NONVIOL5T0 ACCORD+ TO ?IS LOGIC1 BECAUSE !Y ACCEPT ! B\ND>IES ( LEGITIMACY DECRE$ BY CONS5SUS REALITY4 ,JU/ AS EV]Y PACIFI/ CONDEMNS >M$ /RUGGLE & 9SURRECTION AGA9/ ! /ATE1 ! GA9S ( EV]Y 0NONVIOL5T0 MOVEM5T & REVOLUTION !Y CITE1 FROM ,DR4 ,K+ TO ,G&HI1 RE/$ ON A F\NDATION ( EXPLICIT OR ?REAT5$ /ATE VIOL5CE4 ,WE %AKE \R HEADS AT LIB]AL RELUCTANCE TO ACKN[L$GE ?AT ! /ATE IS FUNDAM5TALLY RA!R ?AN 9CID5TALLY VIOL5T1 BUT ?AT VIOL5CE IS WOV5 SO SEAMLESSLY 9TO CONS5SUS REALITY ?AT IT SIMPLY DOESN'T REGI/]4 

,! VIOL5CE SO ANXI\SLY OPPOS$ BY LIB]ALS IS1 BY DEF9ITION1 ?AT :I* RUPTURES CONS5SUS REALITY4 ,& ?IS IS PRECISELY :Y WE CONSID] ?AT VIOL5CE NECESS>Y3 FRAM+ RESI/ANCE AS REGI/]+ \R 0DISS5T0 DOES NOT ATTACK CONS5SUS REALITY BUT M]ELY ID5TIFIES \R POSITION )9 IT4 ,!RE >E NOT OPPOS+ P>TISANS )9 CONS5SUS REALITY--,REPUBLICANS & ,DEMOCRATS1 ACTIVI/S & REACTION>IES--BUT ONLY P>TISANS ( CONS5SUS REALITY & P>TISANS AGA9/ IT4 

,9 %ORT1 ! LIB]AL NOTION ( CONS5T IS A B>RI] TO REVOLUTION4 ,BY DEF9ITION1 BREAK+ CONS5SUS REALITY CANNOT BE CONS5SUAL4 ,WE HAVE TO MOVE BEYOND POLITICAL CONS5T DISC\RSE TO IMAG9E LIB]AT+ /RATEGIES = TRANS=M+ REALITY4 

,CAN ,WE ,RESCUE ! ,POLITICAL ,DISC\RSE ( ,CONS5T8 

,SO LIB]AL CONS5T IS A TOOL = DEF5D+ CONS5SUS REALITY1 USELESS TO \R PROJECT ( LIB]ATION4 ,BUT ?AT DOESN'T NECESS>ILY MEAN WE HAVE TO GIVE UP ON ! DISC\RSE ( CONS5T ITSELF4 ,>E !RE WAYS TO RESPOND TO !SE OBJECTIONS )9 A CONS5T-BAS$ FRAMEWORK8 ,LET'S EXPLORE SOME ( ! POSSIBLE RESPONSES TO LIB]AL CONS5T RHETORIC4 

,DECISION-MAK+ %\LD BE WEI<T$ TO PRIORITIZE ! MO/ AFFECT$4 ,ACCORD+ TO ?IS PR9CIPLE1 ! GREAT] ! IMPACT A DECISION WILL HAVE ON A P]SON1 ! MORE LEV]AGE HE OR %E %\LD HAVE 9 ! DECISION-MAK+ PROCESS4 ,= 9/ANCE1 ! OP9IONS ( A POOR NEI<BORHOOD'S LONG-T]M RESID5TS %\LD C\NT = MORE ?AN ?OSE ( DEVELOP]S OR WEAL?I] NEWCOM]S :5 DET]M9+ :E!R TO BUILD NEW CONDOM9IUMS4 ,?US1 H[ CONS5SUAL AN ACTION IS DEP5DS NOT ON :E!R EV]Y CITIZ51 EQUAL UND] ! LAW1 W\LD *ECK YES OR NO AB\T IT ON A BALLOT2 RA!R1 9DIVIDUALS' FEEL+S >E WEI<T$ PROPORTIONALLY ACCORD+ TO H[ ! CONSEQU5CES WILL IMPACT !M4 

,?IS SIDE/EPS SOME ( ! PROBLEMS ( NEGOTIAT+ POLITICAL CONS5T ACROSS P[] DIFF]5TIALS2 IT LOOKS ATTRACTIVE AS A WAY TO NAVIGATE CONFLICT+ PRIORITIES 9 A SOCIETY BAS$ ON VALUES BEYOND ! PR(IT MOTIVE4 ,BUT DOES ?IS PR9CIPLE (F] US USEFUL GUIDANCE ON H[ TO GET !RE8 ,WE CAN'T EASILY DET]M9E :O WILL BE MO/ AFFECT$ BY /RATEGIES 9T5D$ TO CREATE UNPR$ICTABLE SITUATIONS SO AS TO OP5 UP ! HORIZON = TRANS=MATION4 ,SOME ACTIVI/S SEE ?OSE MO/ VULN]ABLE TO ! POT5TIAL CONSEQU5CES ( MILITANT TACTICS AS ! MO/ IMPACT$ BY ANY ESCALATION BEYOND ! CONF9ES ( CONS5SUS REALITY POLITICS4 ,9 PRACTICE1 ?IS CONC]N CAN FUNCTION TO IMPOSE A TACTICAL CONS]VATISM1 REPRODUC+ ! EFFECT ( LIB]AL CONS5SUS & CREAT+ A DI*OTOMY BETWE5 RESI/+ EFFECTIVELY & PRIORITIZ+ O!RS' SAFETY4.<#b.> 

,ON ! O!R H&1 9 TRY+ TO LEGITIMIZE \R EF=TS ACCORD+ TO ?IS PR9CIPLE1 WE SOMETIMES FALL 9TO ! TRAP ( US+ ! EXAMPLE ( A FEW 9DIVIDUALS :O SUPPORT AN ACTION TO /& 9 = AN 5TIRE IMAG9$ DEMOGRAPHIC4 ,WE ASCRIBE A MY?ICAL AU!NTICITY TO SPECIFIC LOCAL1 WORK+-CLASS1 9DIG5\S1 OR O!R PEOPLE :O EXPRESS 5?USIASM = \R ACTIVITIES1 IMPLICITLY WRIT+ (F ?OSE :O DON'T4 ,WE MAKE SU* SUPPORT]S 9TO A SORT ( PROS!SIS = \RSELVES ?AT 5TITLES US TO ACT AGA9/ ! O/5SIBLE MAJORITY1 IMAG9+ \R *OS5 COMRADES TO REPRES5T ! MO/ AFFECT$4 ,EV]Y ACTIVI/ HAS A PREF]R$ IMAG9>Y FRI5D1 :E!R ! WORK]S FAVOR$ BY ,I,W,W ORGANIZ]S1 ! ,WE/ ,VIRG9IA LOCALS C\RT$ BY OPPON5TS ( M\NTA9TOP REMOVAL1 OR ! EXTRAS 9 HIP HOP VIDEOS ?AT 9SURRECTIONI/S HOPE WILL JO9 !M 9 ! /REETS4 

,?IS IS NOT ONLY TOK5IZ+1 BUT DANG]\S1 AS IT CAN LEAD US TO OV]E/IMATE POPUL> SUPPORT = \R ACTIONS4 ,YET IT IS SUPPORT$ BY A V>IETY ( RATIONALIZATIONS3 JU/ BECAUSE WE DON'T SEE PUBLIC SUPPORT DOESN'T MEAN IT ISN'T !RE2 ! PEOPLE :O >E MO/ M>G9ALIZ$--:O1 WE ASSUME1 >E MO/ LIKELY TO SUPPORT \R UNPOPUL> ACTIONS-->E ! LEA/ FREE TO EXPRESS ?AT SUPPORT PUBLICLY2 & SO ON4 ,!RE IS SOME TRU? 9 !SE >GUM5TS4 ,BUT :5 WE GAMBLE ON ?IS IMAG9>Y-FRI5D FANTASY AS AN EF=T TO WEI< BY PROXY ! CONS5T ( ! UNREPRES5T$--N[ REPRES5T$ BY \R PRESUM$ AFF9ITY ) !M--WE'RE JU/ DELUD+ \RSELVES4 

,DECISION-MAK+ MU/ BE BROAD5$ TO 9CLUDE ALL ! PEOPLE IMPACT$4 ,(T51 MANY ( ?OSE :O WILL BE IMPACT$ BY SUPPOS$LY CONS5SUAL DECISIONS DO NOT HAVE APPROPRIATE LEV]AGE ON !M4 ,= 9/ANCE1 ! UNIV]SITY'S BO>D ( GOV]NORS CAN DECIDE BY CONS5SUS TO RAISE TUITION1 BUT :AT K9D ( CONS5SUS IS ?AT )\T ! P>TICIPATION ( ! /UD5TS :O'LL BE PAY+ IT8 ,IF DECISIONS 9CLUD$ ALL /AKEHOLD]S & ELITES C\LDN'T IMPOSE !M BY =CE1 W\LDN'T !RE BE HOPE = A POLITICS ( CONS5T8 

,UN=TUNATELY1 ?IS FRAMEWORK IS MORE USEFUL = PREV5T+ ACTIONS OR *ALL5G+ !IR VALIDITY AFT] ! FACT ?AN = 9ITIAT+ !M4 ,! IMPACTS ( \R ACTIONS RIPPLE \T F> BEYOND \R ABILITY TO TRACE !M OR ! RANGE ( LIVES !Y WILL T\*4 ,WE CANNOT EV5 HOPE TO BE AW>E ( EV]Y P]SON :O W\LD BE IMPACT$ BY A DECISION1 MU* LESS SOLICIT MEAN+FUL 9PUT FROM EA* ( !M TO CONFIRM OR D5Y CONS5SUS4 ,9 PRACTICAL T]MS1 EXP&+ ! P>TICIPATION 9 DECISION-MAK+ TO EV]YONE AFFECT$ W\LD EI!R REQUIRE RESORT+ TO MAJORITY-RULE DEMOCRACY--NOT A CONS5T-BAS$ FRAMEWORK--OR ACCEPT+ ! IMPOSSIBILITY ( EV] MAK+ DECISIONS4 

,H]E WE HAVE TO CONFRONT ! REALITY ?AT BROAD CONS5SUS ON MANY ISSUES WILL NEV] EXI/4 ,WE MI<T BE ABLE TO AGREE AB\T :AT TO COOK = D9N]1 BUT ON ! REAL QUE/IONS AB\T H[ TO ORGANIZE SOCIETY & DI/RIBUTE RES\RCES1 NO CONS5SUS IS POSSIBLE TODAY4 ,9 A CLASS SOCIETY /RATIFI$ BY :ITE SUPREMACY & PATRI>*Y1 \R 9T]E/S >E FUNDAM5TALLY 9 CONFLICT4 ,C]TA9LY WE %>E MANY 9T]E/S 9 COMMON1 & WE CAN IMAG9E WORLDS 9 :I* PEOPLE >5'T PITT$ AGA9/ ONE ANO!R 9 CONTE/S = /ATUS & SURVIVAL4 ,BUT WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DES]T ?IS WORLD BY CONS5SUS4.<#c.> 

,WE'RE ACT+ 9 SELF-DEF5SE4 ,AS ?IS REASON+ GOES1 ! OP]ATION ( OPPRESSIVE 9/ITUTIONS CON/ITUTES AN ATTACK ON US1 & WE DON'T NE$ ! CONS5T ( \R ATTACK]S TO DEF5D \RSELVES4 ,?IS H>M ISN'T ALWAYS ON A LIT]AL1 DIRECT1 9DIVIDUAL LEVEL1 AS 9 ?AT SPECIFIC ,/>BUCKS W9D[ MAKES MY 9DIVIDUAL LIFE 9CREAS+LY PREC>I\S & IMPOSSIBLE4 ,9 A HOPELESSLY COMPLEX GLOBAL ECONOMY ?AT MASKS ! ROOT CAUSES ( ! H>M IT CREATES1 NE>LY ANY ATTEMPT TO LAUN* A DEF5SIVE C\NT]ATTACK WILL SEEM EI!R SYMBOLIC OR MISDIRECT$4 ,/ILL1 9 ?IS S5SE1 DIRECT ACTION CAN BE FRAM$ AS DEF5D+ \RSELVES AGA9/ VIOLATIONS ( \R CONS5T BY /ATE & CAPITAL4 

,BUT ! RHETORIC ( DIRECT ACTION AS SELF-DEF5SE DOESN'T (F] US MU* GUIDANCE = H[ TO MOVE =W>D4 ,9 ?IS MODEL1 /ATE & CAPITAL >E ! PROTAGONI/S1 & ! V>I\S =MULATIONS ( WE ?AT WE SELF-DEF5D ! M]E OBJECTS ( !IR ACTIONS4 ,WE CAN ONLY REACT1 NOT /RATEGIZE NEW 9ITIATIVES4 ,FUR!RMORE1 ! FRAMEWORK ( SELF-DEF5SE IS BAS$ 9 ! T]MS ( LIB]AL 9DIVIDUALISM1 ) \R PRIVATE P]SONAL RI<TS BEG9N+ :]E ?OSE ( ANO!R 5D4 ,:AT IS IT ?AT WE'RE DEF5D+8 ,\R ROLE 9 SOCIETY AS DEF9$ UND] CAPITALISM & PATRI>*Y8 ,\R RI<TS AS DICTAT$ BY ! DEMOCRATIC /ATE8 ,TO GET FREE1 WE %\LD BE FI<T+ TO DE/ROY \R SELVES6 ,NOT \R BODIES & LIVES1 ( C\RSE1 BUT \R SELFHOOD AS IT'S CON/ITUT$ BY /ATE & CAPITAL4 

,IF SELFHOOD EXT5DS AS F> AS ! BANK W9D[S1 IF \R SELVES OV]LAP SO EXT5SIVELY1 WE NE$ ANO!R FRAMEWORK--WE'RE NOT JU/ DEF5D+ \RSELVES4 ,AT BE/1 SELF-DEF5SE IS A JU/IFICATION1 NOT A PRAXIS2 AT WOR/1 IT'S A DIS+5U\S SMOKESCRE5 ?AT LEAVES US )\T A FRAMEWORK TO EVALUATE \R EFFECTIV5ESS4 

,CONS5T HAS TO BE 9=M$4 ,9 ALL CONS5T-BAS$ E?ICAL SY/EMS1 M$ICAL1 SEXUAL1 & O!RWISE1 AU!NTIC CONS5T REQUIRES FULL KN[L$GE ( ! IMPLICATIONS ( A DECISION4 ,ON ! POLITICAL LEVEL1 ?IS CRITICISM GOES1 IF WE ALL HAD ACCESS TO COMPLETE 9=MATION1 WE W\LD MAKE DECISIONS DIFF]5TLY4 ,?IS IS ! BASIC HYPO!SIS ( LIB]ALISM3 ! BE/ ( ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS WILL RESULT :5 PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO ALL RELEVANT 9=MATION & ! MEANS TO DISCUSS IT OP5LY 9 ORD] TO MAKE RATIONAL DECISIONS4 

,! FATAL FLAW 9 ?IS REASON+ IS ?AT IT FAILS TO TAKE P[] DYNAMICS 9TO ACC\NT4 ,:5 ACCESS TO MONEY & PROP]TY DET]M9ES \R ABILITY TO ACT1 UND] ! RULE ( A /ATE ?AT RES]VES ! SOLE RI<T TO EMPLOY VIOL5CE1 KN[L$GE IS NOT 9 FACT P[]4 ,FUR!RMORE1 IT SEEMS TO DEM& A POLITICS ( TOTAL TRANSP>5CY1 :I* W\LD EI!R PRECLUDE ILLEGAL ACTIVITY OR CONSIGN US ALL TO ! C]TA9TY ( PRISON4 ,AN 9=M$ CONS5T FRAMEWORK NEI!R 5ABLES US TO IMAG9E H[ TO A*IEVE A CONS5SUS = REVOLUTION NOR SUFFICES TO DET]M9E H[ MU* 9=MATION TO %>E ) :OM AB\T ! ACTIONS WE TAKE TO FI<T = IT4 

,9 CONCLUD+ ?AT ! CONS5T FRAMEWORK CAN'T ACCOMMODATE \R POLITICAL NE$S1 WE'RE NOT 5DORS+ ! VIOLATION ( CONS5T4 ,RA!R1 WE'RE ACKN[L$G+ ?AT ! CONS5T FRAMEWORK HAS NOT BE5 SUFFICI5T TO TRANSC5D ! SELF-DEFEAT+ DI*OTOMY BETWE5 EI!R RESPECT+ CONS5T TO SU* AN EXT5T ?AT WE CAN'T OV]?R[ CAPITALISM OR DISREG>D+ IT 5TIRELY4 ,! PO9T IS TO COME UP ) A FRAMEWORK ?AT SOLVES ?OSE PROBLEMS1 NOT TO ?R[ \T :AT GA9S WE'VE MADE ALREADY4.<#d.> 

,9 FACT1 \R BASIS = OPPOS+ CAPITALISM & HI]>*Y GOES F> BEYOND ! CLAIM ?AT !SE SY/EMS OP]ATE )\T \R CONS5T4 ,ULTIMATELY1 WE FI<T = NEW WORLDS \T ( DESIRE1 & 9 ORD] TO MOVE BEYOND ! LIMITATIONS ( POLITICAL CONS5T DISC\RSE WE HAVE TO LOOK MORE CLOSELY AT :AT DESIRE IS4 

,DESIRE1 ,CONS5T1 & ,POLITICS 

,:AT IS DESIRE8 ,LET'S CONCEIVE ( DESIRES NOT AS 9T]NAL ELEM5TS EMANAT+ FROM )9 9DIVIDUALS1 BUT AS AUTONOM\S =CES ?AT FL[ ?R\< !M4 ,9DIVIDUALS DON'T DESIRE ?+S2 :OLE SOCIETIES PRODUCE & CIRCULATE DESIRES1 EV5 IF ?OSE DESIRES REMA9 SUBM]G$ 9 MO/ PEOPLE4 ,! FUNDAM5TAL UNIT ( \R ANALYSIS IS NOT ! 9DIVIDUAL HUMAN BE+1 BUT ! DESIRE1 ) HUMANS AS ! M$IUM4 

,H[ CAN WE CONCEIVE ( DESIRE & SELFHOOD AS !Y RELATE TO CONS5T & POLITICAL ACTION8 ,! EXI/+ CONS5T DISC\RSE PRESUPPOSES /ATIC NOTIONS ( SELF & DESIRE4 ,IT PRESUMES ?AT DESIRE IS MONOLI?IC1 COMPOS$ ( A S+LE ?RU/ RA!R ?AN MULTIPLE PULLS 9 DIFF]5T DIRECTIONS4 ,:5 WE HAVE MULTIPLE DESIRES1 ! DESIRE ?AT G>N]S ! PLURALITY 9 \R 9T]NAL ELECTORAL PROCESS IS ASSUM$ TO BE ! ONLY ONE ?AT C\NTS4 ,CONS5T DISC\RSE PRESUMES ?AT :AT WE WANT IS KN[ABLE & CAN BE >TICULAT$ )9 ! FRAMEWORK ( \R %>$ REALITY4 

,9 REALITY1 ! DESIRES WE EXP]I5CE >E NOT FIX$ OR UNIT>Y4 ,!Y %IFT CON/ANTLY BAS$ ON \R EXP]I5CES & CONTEXTS4 ,!Y >E MULTIPLE1 CONTRADICTORY1 & DIV]G5T1 SURPRIS+ US ) !IR DIV]SITY1 FRU/RAT+ US ) !IR MUTABILITY4 ,!Y RESI/ \R ATTEMPTS TO CONF9E OR DOME/ICATE !M4 ,!Y SIMPLY CAN'T FIT 9TO A TWO-DIM5SIONAL B9>Y MODEL ( CONS5T1 :]E9 WE EI!R WANT SOME?+ OR WE DON'T4 ,?IS REALIZATION IS T]RIFY+1 BUT IT OP5S UP NEW WAYS ( UND]/&+ ! REVOLUTION>Y PROJECT 9 RELATION TO ! CONS5SUS REALITY >RAY$ AGA9/ US4 

,! NATURE ( DESIRE IS COMPLEX & C5TRIFUGAL1 9 CONTRA/ TO ! SIMPLIFY+ & C5TRIPETAL NATURE ( 9T]E/S4 ,! TRADITIONAL APPROA* ( ! LEFT IS = ORGANIZ]S TO ASSI/ CON/ITU5CIES 9 W9N+ VICTORIES ?AT BUILD P[]1 :I* WILL PRESUMABLY BE DEPLOY$ T[>DS 9CREAS+LY RADICAL 5DS4 ,! GOALS ( !SE VICTORIES >E G5]ALLY FRAM$ 9 T]MS ( ! 9T]E/S ( ! CON/ITU5CY1 NOT !IR DESIRES4 ,?IS IS A CLEV] TRICK3 AS 9T]E/S APPE> TO BE AN OBJECTIVE RA!R ?AN SUBJECTIVE MATT]1 IT IS EASI] = AN \TSIDE MANAG]IAL CLASS TO GET AWAY ) DEF9+ & REPRES5T+ !M4 ,9T]E/S CAN BE FRAM$ AS UNIT>Y1 COH]5T1 & 9TEGRATIVE1 :]EAS DESIRES >E MULTIPLE1 9*OATE1 CONTRADICTORY4 ,ID5TITY GR\PS %>E 9T]E/S2 FRI5DS & LOV]S %>E DESIRES4 ,9T]E/S >E COMPOS$ ( CALCIFI$ BLOCKS ( DESIRE /&>DIZ$ TO MAKE S5SE )9 CONS5SUS REALITY4 

,NOT ONLY IS DESIRE F> MORE COMPLEX & UN/ABLE ?AN \R DISC\RSES ALL[1 IT'S ALSO %AP$ BY ! CONDITIONS ( \R MIS]Y & EXPLOITATION4 ,EV5 AMID CONTRADICTIONS & *AOS1 ! RANGE ( :AT IT IS POSSIBLE TO DESIRE R>ELY ESCAPES ! CONF9ES ( CONS5SUS REALITY4 ,:O REALLY IMAG9ES ?AT 9 A FREE WORLD1 WE'D DREAM ( ]GONOMIC *AIRS = \R CUBICLES1 MORE ,T,V *ANNELS & BR&S ( DET]G5T1 LONG] *A9S & S(T] CAGES8 ,?IS IS NOT TO DEMEAN ! /RUGGLES ( ?OSE :O FI<T = BETT] CONDITIONS )9 ?IS SY/EM4 ,IT'S JU/ TO SAY ?AT WE W\LD BE PALTRY REVOLUTION>IES 9DE$ IF WE BAS$ \R PROGRAMS M]ELY ON ! CONS5SUS DESIRES ( GR\PS :OSE ALLIES WE WANT TO BE4 

,! TASK ( ! REVOLUTION>Y IS NOT ! TASK ( ! ALLY4 ,WE >E NOT H]E TO MAKE ! DREAMS ( ! PROLET>IAT COME TRUE4 ,! PROLET>IAT IS PRODUC$ BY CAPITALISM1 :I* WE WANT TO DE/ROY4 ,! TASK ( ! REVOLUTION>Y IS TO %IFT \R COLLECTIVE S5SE ( ! POSSIBLE1 SO ?AT \R DESIRES & ! REALITIES !Y DRIVE US TO CREATE CAN %IFT 9 TURN4 ,WE >E H]E TO TRANS=M REALITY BEYOND :]E \R NOTIONS ( CONS5T CAN LEAD US4 ,WE NE$ A DIFF]5T DISC\RSE TO IMAG9E ! TRANS=MATIONS ?AT CAN OP5 PA?WAYS \T ( CONS5SUS REALITY4 

,9TRODUC+ ,S$UCTION 

,!RE'S ANO!R FRAMEWORK ?AT SEEMS TO BE IMPLI$ BY \R CURR5T PRACTICE1 :E!R OR NOT WE ACKN[L$GE IT4 ,?AT FRAMEWORK IS S$UCTION4 

,:AT IS S$UCTION8 ,IT'S A RA!R UNSAVORY CONCEPT1 BR++ TO M9D MANIPULATIVE ATTEMPTS TO 9DUCE O!RS TO LET !MSELVES TO BE US$ = ONE'S [N 5DS4 ,9 A SEXUAL CONTEXT1 IT CAN IMPLY EI!R A ROMANTIC1 *>ISMATIC1 P]SUASIVE USE ( *>M TO PROPOSE A SEXUAL 5C\NT]1 OR A WAY TO TRICK SOMEONE 9TO SUCCUMB+ TO ONE'S ADVANCES4 ,! CONNOTATIONS >E DISCOMFIT+1 BUT ! SALI5T FACTOR IS ! IMPLICATION ?AT ! S$UC] CREATES A DESIRE1 RA!R ?AN SIMPLY UNE>?+ IT4 ,IT IS ?IS S5SE ?AT WE F9D MO/ 9T]E/+ 9 CONSID]+ ! PROBLEMS ( DESIRE & CONS5SUS REALITY ON ! POLITICAL LEVEL4 

,:5 WE S$UCE1 WE PRES5T SOMEONE :O O/5SIBLY DOESN'T WANT SOME?+ ) A NEW SITUATION 9 :I* !Y MAY WANT IT AFT] ALL4 ,:]EAS CONS5T FOCUSES ON OBTA9+ ! GO-AHEAD = AN EXT]NAL ACTION--0,IS ?IS ,O,K80--S$UCTION FOCUSES 9T]NALLY1 ON DESIRE3 0,C\LD Y\ WANT ?IS80 ,\R PRACTICES ( S$UCTION DON'T AIM TO 9DUCE O!RS TO DO ?+S !Y DON'T WANT TO DO1 BUT TO 9DUCE O!RS TO WANT TO DO !M1 9 ! MO/ MEAN+FUL S5SE3 TO WANT TO TAKE ON ALL ! RISKS & PLEASURES !Y 5TAIL4 

,AGA91 WE DON'T BELIEVE ?AT WE CAN P]SUADE EV]YONE TO CONS5T TO \R DREAMS ( AN>*I/ REVOLUTION2 NOT ONLY IS ! DECK /ACK$ AGA9/ US1 BUT ! DEAL]1 ! TABLE1 & ! :OLE H\SE4 ,WE DON'T BUY 9TO ! IDEA ?AT \R GOALS >E :AT EV]YBODY 0REALLY0 WANTS1 NOR DO WE ASSUME ?AT EV]YONE W\LD ADOPT \R VIEWS IF ONLY !Y HAD ACCESS TO ALL ! RI<T 9=MATION4 ,WE DON'T CLAIM TO REPRES5T ANYONE BEYOND \RSELVES1 NOR TO /& 9 = ANY SIL5T MAJORITY2 9 ?AT S5SE1 AN>*I/ REVOLUTION IS NOT A DEMOCRATIC PROJECT4 ,NOR DO WE1 DESPAIR+ ( ?OSE ?+S1 DECIDE ?AT TO BE TRUE TO \R PR9CIPLES WE MU/ GIVE UP ON TRANS=M+ SOCIETY ALTOGE!R & RETREAT 9TO ISOLATION AMONG ! FEW COMRADES ) :OM WE CAN E/ABLI% MEAN+FUL SELF-DET]M9$ CONS5SUS4 ,WE DON'T ?9K IT'S HOPELESS TO RESI/ 9 ! FACE ( ! /RANGLEHOLD ( CONS5SUS REALITY4 ,WE WANT A DIFF]5T PA? =W>D1 ONE ?AT DOESN'T ASSUME DESIRE TO BE FIX$1 ?AT DOESN'T RELY ON LIB]AL CONS5T4 

,WE NEI!R WI% TO IMPOSE \R WILL ON O!RS BY =CE1 NOR TO DISREG>D !IR DESIRES4 ,9/EAD1 WE WANT TO P]=M A K9D ( MAGIC1 AN AL*EMICAL OP]ATION4 ,WE WANT TO 9DUCE DESIRES1 NOT SIMPLY FULFILL !M4.<#e.> 

,AS AN>*I/S1 \R GREATE/ /R5G? LIES NOT 9 ! COH]5CE & REASON ( \R IDEOLOGY1 BUT 9 ! PASSIONATE ACTIONS WE UND]TAKE & ! UNGOV]NABLE LIVES WE LEAD4 ,LET'S NOT TRY TO CONV]T PEOPLE TO AN>*ISM2 LET'S SET \T1 ) MIS*IEV\S GLEE1 TO 9FECT EV]YONE >\ND US ) ! AN>*Y ?AT FL[S 9 \R VE9S4 ,LET'S PRODUCE SITUATIONS 9 :I* AN>*Y IS POSSIBLE1 EV5 LIKELY--EV5 DESIRABLE TO ?OSE :O MI<T NOT FEEL ANY 9CL9ATION T[>DS IT TODAY4 

,H[ DID Y\ BECOME AN AN>*I/8 ,DID Y\ EM]GE FROM ! WOMB 9 A BLACK HOODIE8 ,DID Y\ 0ALWAYS KN[0 Y\ W]E GO+ TO CRAVE RIOTS1 /ALE BAGELS1 & PHOTOCOPY SCAMS8 ,IF NOT1 *ANCES >E Y\ HAD SOME SORT ( EXP]I5CE ?AT OP5$ Y\ TO A S5SE ( POSSIBILITY Y\ HADN'T PREVI\SLY BE5 ABLE TO IMAG9E4 ,= ME1 IT CAME AT AGE #a#h1 DUR+ ! HEI<T ( ! ANTI-,IRAQ W> PROTE/S1 :5 ,I HE>D A VAGUE RUMOR ?AT ,I %\LD %[ UP AT A C]TA9 CONC]T4 ,I DID1 & LO & BEHOLD1 :5 IT 5D$ A GR\P ( MANIACS APPE>$ ) DRUMS & BANN]S1 & BE=E ,I KNEW IT ,I'D JO9$ #b O!RS M>*+ 9 ! /REET1 P]MITS BE DAMN$4 ,WE W]E UN/OPPABLE4 ,! BLOOD BOIL$ 9 MY VE9S & ,I H[L$ EC/ATICALLY UNTIL ,I LO/ MY VOICE4 ,?+S W]E NEV] ! SAME AGA94 

,N[1 ,I'D P>TICIPAT$ 9 POLITE P]MITT$ M>*ES BE=E4 ,IF Y\'D ASK$ ME IF ,I DESIR$ TO GO ON A FEI/Y UNP]MITT$ MIDNI<T M>*1 ,I PROBABLY W\LD HAVE ?\<T IT S\ND$ COOL4 ,BUT ,I DIDN'T ACTIVELY DESIRE IT BE=EH&2 IF ,I'D BE5 =?RI<TLY 9VIT$1 ,I MI<T HAVE DECL9$ \T ( ANXI\SNESS OR 9DIFF]5CE4 ,! DESIRE WAS G5]AT$ BY ! CONTEXT1 ! MY/]Y1 & ! EXP]I5CE ITSELF4 ,I SUSPECT ?AT ! KEY WAS ?AT IT WAS UNEXPECT$ & ILLICIT3 IT TOOK ME BEYOND MYSELF1 OP5+ SOME DOOR ( DESIRE ?AT C\LDN'T BE %UT4 ,HAD SOMEONE ASK$ ME 9 ADVANCE :E!R ,I W\LD CONS5T TO P>TICIPATE1 ?AT MI<T HAVE UND]M9$ ! V]Y S5SE ( LIB]ATION ,I EXP]I5C$4 

,TRU/ ME1 ,I'M AS UNCOM=TABLE ) ! IMPLICATIONS ( ?IS AS Y\ >E4 ,BUT WE NE$ TO LOOK HONE/LY AT ! TRANS=MATIVE EXP]I5CES ?AT OP5$ ! DOOR = US 9TO RADICAL POLITICS & ?9K AB\T H[ WE CAN CON/RUCT & OP5 ?OSE TYPES ( DOORS = O!RS4 ,IF WE'RE NOT GO+ TO BE A VANGU>D & WE'RE NOT GO+ TO CONV9CE EV]YONE TO JO9 US ?R\< M]E RATIONAL DISC\RSE1 ?IS MI<T BE :AT WE'VE GOT TO WORK )4 

,TRANS=MATION1 ,9VITATION1 ,CONTAGION 

,H[ DOES S$UCTION WORK8 ,WE HYPO!SIZE ?AT S$UCTION UNFOLDS VIA ?REE PROCESSES3 TRANS=MATION1 9VITATION1 & CONTAGION4 ,WE TRANS=M CIRCUM/ANCES1 CREAT+ SPACE = NEW POSSIBILITIES & ?US NEW DESIRES TO FL\RI%2 WE 9VITE O!RS TO P>TICIPATE 9 !SE NEW SITUATIONS1 TO EXP]IM5T ) DIFF]5T MODES ( ACTION & DESIRE2 & WE 9FECT O!RS ) CURIOSITY1 AN 9SATIABLE DESIRE = FRE$OM1 & ! MEANS TO EXP]IM5T T[>DS IT4 

,WE /RIVE = TRANS=MATION BECAUSE IF WE DESIRE ON ! BASIS ( :AT WE KN[1 WE CAN ONLY 9DUCE NEW DESIRES ?AT EXCE$ ! CONF9ES ( \R CURR5T REALITY BY %IFT+ ! CONDITIONS 9 :I* WE LIVE4 ,SOMETIMES IT CAN BE AS SIMPLE AS DO+ ?+S 9 ! /REET )\T P]MITS1 OR US+ A P>K OR BUILD+ = AN 5TIRELY NEW PURPOSE4 ,DISOB$I5CE IS CRUCIAL TO TRANS=MATION2 NO?+ OP5S UP A S5SE ( POSSIBILITY LIKE LIT]ALLY BREAK+ ! RULES4 ,BUT \R BEHAVIOR IS CON/RA9$ BY F> MORE ?AN TRAFFIC LAWS & ZON+ REGULATIONS2 SOCIAL NORMS1 G5D] ROLES1 & 9NUM]ABLE O!R SY/EMS %APE H[ WE ACT1 & EA* WAY WE'RE CON/RA9$ PROVIDES NEW T]RA9 = TRANS=MATION4 ,! KEY LIES 9 *ALL5G+ :AT'S TAK5 = GRANT$ 9 A WAY ?AT OP5S UP ! POSSIBILITY TO ACT DIFF]5TLY1 & TO IMAG9E H[ ! WORLD W\LD BE DIFF]5T IF ?OSE RULES & BORD]S W]E NO LONG] FIX$4 

,9VITATION REQUIRES NEI!R P]SUASION VIA RATIONAL DISC\RSE NOR IMPOSITION BY =CE4 ,H]E WE MA9TA9 ! SPIRIT ( CONS5T DISC\RSE1 ASS]T+ \R RESPECT = ! WI%ES ( O!RS & OPPOSITION TO CO]CION4 ,WE ASPIRE TO A WORLD BAS$ ON VOLUNT>Y ASSOCIATION1 9 :I* P>TICIPATION IS BAS$ ON \R [N FREE *OICE RA!R ?AN =CE OR MANIPULATION1 & ?US WE AIM TO PREFIGURE ?AT WORLD ?R\< \R ME?ODS ( CREATIVE RESI/ANCE4 

,?IS CAN TAKE MANY =MS3 LEAV+ ! DOORS OP5 9 ! OCCUPI$ BUILD+1 MODEL+ MUTUAL AID AT PUBLIC ,REALLY ,REALLY ,FREE ,M>KETS1 (F]+ BLACK B&ANNAS & CANS ( PA9T AS ! M>* LEAVES ! %[4 ,( C\RSE1 WE CAN'T LIT]ALLY 9VITE O!RS TO P>TICIPATE 9 MANY ACTIONS BE=EH&1 EI!R BECAUSE !Y HAVE TO BE ORGANIZ$ CL&E/9ELY OR BECAUSE WE HONE/LY DON'T KN[ :AT WILL HAPP54 ,BUT WE CAN %APE \R ACTIONS TO MAXIMIZE ! AG5CY ( POT5TIAL P>TICIPANTS4 

,S$UCTION CA/S ! 9VITEE AS ! PROTAGONI/1 ! ONE :OSE AG5CY C\NTS--9 CONTRA/ TO CONS5T DISC\RSE1 :I* M]ELY SEEKS P]MISSION4 ,! :OLE PO9T IS = PEOPLE TO DISCOV] NEW DESIRES1 TO WANT TO DO SOME?+ !Y DIDN'T WANT BE=E2 !Y HAVE TO BE 9 ! DRIV]'S SEAT = ?AT TO BE POSSIBLE4 ,9 ?IS S5SE1 WE >E US+ S$UCTION TO MEAN ! OPPOSITE ( ITS TRADITIONAL NEGATIVE CONNOTATION ( TRY+ TO GET SOME?+ FROM PEOPLE AGA9/ !IR WILL OR AT !IR EXP5SE4 

,F9ALLY1 WE ASPIRE TO 9VITE O!RS 9TO PRACTICES ?AT WILL PROVE CONTAGI\S3 IDEAS ?AT SELF-REPLICATE1 MODELS ?AT CAN BE APPLI$ 9 A V>IETY ( CIRCUM/ANCES1 ATTITUDES ?AT PROVE 9FECTI\S4 ,CONTAGION 5SURES ?AT REBELLION ISN'T RE/RICT$ TO ACTIVI/S1 SC5E/]S1 OR ANY O!R P>TICUL> GR\P4 ,ONLY :5 REVOLT SPREADS SO WIDELY ?AT IT CAN NO LONG] BE QU>ANT9$ TO A SPECIFIC DEMOGRAPHIC WILL AN>*Y MOVE P]MAN5TLY BEYOND ! AN>*I/S4 ,WE SUCCE$ :5 O!RS EM]GE FROM ! SPACES WE CREATE FEEL+ MORE P[]FUL4 ,WE W9 :5 ! RUPTURES ( POSSIBILITY WE OP5 PROVE IMPOSSIBLE TO CLOSE4 

,:5 ,S$UCTION ,FAILS 

,UN=TUNATELY1 \R ACTIONS DON'T ALWAYS A*IEVE !SE GOALS4 ,SOMETIMES WE TRY TO CA/ SPELLS ( TRANS=MATION & !Y FAIL4 

,ONE WAY \R EF=TS CAN GO AWRY IS :5 !Y POSITION ! ORGANIZ+ CABAL AS ! PROTAGONI/S RA!R ?AN ! 9VITEES WE HOPE TO S$UCE 9TO P>TICIPATION4 ,9 !SE CASES1 \R ACTIONS DON'T SPREAD1 BUT REMA9 ! PROV9CE ( A DI/9CT GR\P4 ,= P>TISANS ( TRANS=MATION1 :AT C\NTS IS ! CIRCULATION & CONTAGION ( SUBV]SIVE IDEAS & PRACTICES1 NOT ! P[] ( A SPECIFIC SOCIAL BODY--BE IT AN>*I/S OR ! ,P>TY4 

,SOMETIMES :5 \R S$UCTIONS FAIL1 ?OSE WE'VE ATTEMPT$ TO 9VITE FEEL US$ RA!R ?AN S$UC$4 ,OV] ! YE>S1 ?IS HAS PROV$ ONE ( ! PRIM>Y CAUSES ( ! UNPOPUL>ITY ( UNILAT]AL MILITANT ACTIVITY4 ,IT'S FLATT]+ TO BE (F]$ A ROLE AS A PROTAGONI/ 9 AN EXCIT+ /ORY1 BUT IT ISN'T SO PLEASANT TO FEEL ?AT O!RS >E TRY+ TO TAKE ADVANTAGE ( Y\4 ,:5 PEOPLE SPEAK ) FRU/RATION 9 A DEBRIEF+ CONV]SATION AB\T ! LACK ( CONS5T IMPLICIT 9 H[ AN ACTION PLAY$ \T1 WE MU/ UND]/& ?AT AS A FAILURE ( S$UCTION4 ,:5 !Y SPEAK ( CONS5T1 !Y'RE DESCRIB+ !IR REACTION TO ! ACTIONS ?AT TOOK PLACE2 \R ANALYSIS ( S$UCTION TREATS ! DESIRES UND]LY+ !SE AS ! C5T] ( GRAVITY4 

,P]HAPS WE CAN BE/ UND]/& SU* CONFLICTS BY REFRAM+ !M3 !Y >E NOT M]ELY CONTE/S BETWE5 PEOPLE ) DIFF]5T DESIRES1 BUT CONTE/S BETWE5 DIFF]5T DESIRES PLAY+ \T BETWE5 PEOPLE AS WELL AS )9 9DIVIDUALS4 ,! FAILURE ( AN UNPOPUL> ACTION DOESN'T /EM FROM ! FACT ?AT IT FAIL$ TO MEET ! DESIRES ( P>TICIPANTS OR BY/&]S4 ,RA!R1 ! ACTION FAIL$ TO 5ABLE SUBV]SIVE DESIRES TO >ISE OR FL[ 9TO NEW HO/S4 ,CRITICS :O FRAME !IR OBJECTIONS 9 CONS5T DISC\RSE MAY NOT BE FUNDAM5TALLY OPPOS$ TO ! TACTICS 9 QUE/ION AFT] ALL2 !Y MAY SIMPLY NOT FEEL ?AT !Y HAD ! *ANCE TO BECOME PROTAGONI/S 9 !IR [N /ORIES ( REBELLION4 

,9TO ! ,UNKN[N 

,:AT >E AN>*I/S GOOD =8 ,WE DON'T SEE \RSELVES AS 0!0 REVOLUTION>Y SUBJECT1 NOR ITS VANGU>D OR REPRES5TATIVE4 ,BUT ?AT DOESN'T MEAN WE'RE IRRELEVANT TO ! /RUGGLES & UPHEAVALS >\ND US4 ,WE UP ! ANTE & REP ! ANTI2 WE CALL BLUFFS & TAKE D>ES2 WE DISCOV] L9ES ( FLI<T \T ( CONS5SUS REALITY4 ,WE TAKE RISKS TO 9DUCE O!RS TO %>E !M ) US2 WE TAKE C>E ( EA* O!R SO WE CAN BE DANG]\S TOGE!R4 

,ULTIMATELY1 ! POLITICS ( S$UCTION DON'T RELY ON RATIONAL >GUM5TATION TO 9FLU5CE PEOPLE4 ,WE DOVE HEADLONG 9TO ! T]RIFY+ FIRES ( TRANS=MATION1 ALL[+ /RANGE PASSIONS TO SEIZE US4 ,IT'S NOT ?AT !SE DESIRES >E 0\RS02 RA!R1 WE >E !IRS4 ,WE BECOME LI<TN+ RODS ?AT CRACKLE ) FL[S ( *>G$ DESIRE4 

,LET'S NOT =GET ! IMPORTANCE ( S$UC+ \RSELVES ) \R ACTIONS4 ,IT'S FRI<T5+LY EASY = ACTIVISM TO OSSIFY 9TO DRE>Y1 REPETITIVE R\T9ES4 ,ACTIONS ?AT DON'T EM]GE \T ( \R [N DESIRES >E UNLIKELY TO S$UCE US OR ANYONE ELSE4 ,SURE1 SOME KIDS WILL BE RADICALIZ$ BY ! ,FOOD ,NOT ,BOMBS RUN BY F\R BURNT-\T PUNKS :O RES5T EV]Y ,SUNDAY !Y SP5D 9 ! KIT*54 ,BUT WE =GE \R DEEPE/ RELATION%IPS ( /RUGGLE 9 COLLECTIVELY EXP]I5C+ ! NEW1 ! EXCIT+1 ! T]RIFY+4 ,IT'S NOT ONLY BEAUTIFUL BUT /RATEGIC TO LIVE LIVES ?AT PU% TO ! \T]MO/ $GES ( :AT'S POSSIBLE4 

,! /AKES >E HI<4 ,FROM CONS5T DISC\RSE1 WE RETA9 ! PRIORITIZATION ( C>+ = O!RS & PAY+ ATT5TION TO !IR NE$S4 ,WE MU/ NEV] DISREG>D ! WELL-BE+ ( ?OSE WE 9VITE 9TO ZONES ( TRANS=MATION2 YET NEI!R CAN WE PLAY IT SAFE & ALL[ CONS5SUS REALITY TO DICTATE \R RANGE ( POSSIBLE DREAMS & ACTIONS4 ,WE CANNOT PROMISE SAFETY1 BUT WE CAN %>E 9 ! DANG] ( ! UNKN[N1 9 ITS PLEASURES & ITS RISKS4 

.<#a.> ,= 9/ANCE1 )9 CAPITALI/ DEMOCRACY1 ! V]Y ABILITY TO SPEAK 0FREELY0 SEEMS TO (F] PRO( ( ! SY/EM'S JU/ICE BY VIRTUE ( ! /ATE 5SUR+ 0FREE SPEE*40 ,9 AN>*IC SOCIAL RELATIONS1 \R ABILITY TO SPEAK FREELY JU/IFIES ITSELF1 NE$+ NO /ATE TO 0PROTECT0 IT OR DEF9E ITS LIMITS4 ,:5 WE FRAME EXPRESS+ \R DESIRES AS 0EX]CIS+ A RI<T10 WE DEF9E \R LEGITIMACY TO ACT 9 T]MS ( \R RELATION%IP TO ! /ATE1 RA!R ?AN ASS]T+ ?AT \R DESIRES >E 9H]5TLY VALID4 

.<#b.> ,?IS HAS HAPP5$ AGA9 & AGA91 FROM ! PO/-9AUGURATION M>* ?R\< ,ADAMS ,MORGAN 9 ,WA%+TON ,D,C 9 #be TO ! ,OSC> ,GRANT RIOTS1 ANY TIME COLLECTIVE ACTION ISN'T PEACEFUL1 LEGAL1 & FULLY PACIFI$4 ,PEOPLE :O >E MORE VULN]ABLE TO /ATE VIOL5CE OR O!R POT5TIAL CONSEQU5CES ( ESCALATION--&1 MORE (T51 SELF-APPO9T$ SPOKESPEOPLE :OSE PRIVILEGE 5ABLES !M TO FEEL 5TITL$ TO REPRES5T O!RS--SPEAK \T AGA9/ MILITANT TACTICS4 ,S9CE MANY AN>*I/ AGITATORS >E %IELD$ 9 P>T BY ! PRIVILEGES ( :ITE SK91 A MALE BODY1 NO *ILDR51 & LEGAL CITIZ5%IP1 IT IS HELD TO BE IRRESPONSIBLE TO RAISE ! /AKES )\T ! 9PUT ( MORE VULN]ABLE PEOPLE :O MAY BE AFFECT$4 ,AN>*I/S (T5 C\NT] ?AT ?OSE %IELD$ BY PRIVILEGE >E PRECISELY ! ONES :O %\LD PUT !IR BODIES ON ! L9E4 ,BUT 9 L>GE MIX$ CR[DS ) A POT5TIAL = EXPLOSIVE CONFLICT1 ! QUE/ION ( CONS5T 9EVITABLY RE>S ITS HEAD4 ,SELF-RI<TE\S LEFTI/S ASSUME ?AT ! PURPOSE ( MASS+ 9 ! /REETS IS SIMPLY TO 0SPEAK TRU? TO P[]10 BUT ! RE/ ( US HAVE TO GRAPPLE ) H[ TO PRECIPITATE CONFLICT 9 WAYS ?AT DON'T RE9=CE ! W$GES \R 5EMIES W\LD DRIVE BETWE5 US 0BAD PROTE/]S0 & \R POT5TIAL COMRADES4 

.<#c.> ,ONE ( ! IMPLICATIONS ( ?IS ANALYSIS IS ?AT WE MU/ UNFL9*+LY RECOGNIZE CONFLICT AS A REALITY4 ,! VISION WE'RE PUTT+ =W>D AIMS NOT JU/ TO CREATE A WORLD 9 :I* ALL IS CONS5SUAL4 ,WE /RIVE TO PRIORITIZE EA* O!R'S CONS5T AS MU* AS POSSIBLE1 :ILE RECOGNIZ+ ?AT SOMETIMES WE REALLY >E 9 CONFLICT1 & WE HAVE TO ACKN[L$GE CONFLICTS RA!R ?AN SWEEP+ !M UND] ! RUG ( AN IMPOS$ CONS5SUS4 ,\R IDEAL IS NOT A WORLD )\T CONFLICT1 BUT A WORLD 9 :I* CONFLICTS DON'T PRODUCE HI]>*IES & OPPRESSION4 ,WE 5VISION ASSOCIATIONS ?AT CAN COME TOGE!R & BREAK AP>T ACCORD+ TO \R DESIRES2 UNLIKE ! /ATE1 !SE W\LD REQUIRE NO IMPOS$ CONS5SUS4 

.<#d.> ,ALSO1 :AT DOES ?IS IMPLY 9 ! REALM ( SEXUALITY8 ,REMEMB]1 \R GOAL 9 ACKN[L$G+ ! LIMITATIONS ( CONS5T DISC\RSE IS NOT TO DISC>D IT 5TIRELY BUT TO DET]M9E :]E IT CAN TAKE US & :]E ELSE WE NE$ TO GO4 ,CONS5T PROVIDES US ) CRUCIAL TOOLS = TREAT+ EA* O!R ) C>E 9 SEXUAL 9T]ACTIONS4 ,AT ! SAME TIME1 WE CAN *ALL5GE SIMPLI/IC NOTIONS ( DESIRE3 SOME ( \R MO/ DEEPLY ]OTIC MOM5TS OCCUR NOT :5 WE F9ALLY A*IEVE A DESIRE PREVI\SLY FIX$ )9 US1 BUT :5 WE EXP]I5CE UNEXPECT$ & UNPREC$5T$ =MS ( PLEASURE4 ,P]HAPS 9SI<TS FROM \R DISC\RSE ( POLITICAL S$UCTION CAN (F] P]SPECTIVE ON \R SEXUALITY1 BUT WE MA9TA9 \R ALLEGIANCE TO CONS5T DISC\RSE 9 SEX4 ,\R CRITIQUE ( POLITICAL CONS5T DISC\RSE ISN'T AB/RACT1 BUT BAS$ ON ITS TACTICAL %ORTCOM+S1 ! LIMITATIONS ( :AT IT ALL[S US TO DO & IMAG9E4 ,BY CONTRA/1 SEXUAL CONS5T DISC\RSE HAS PROV5 ITS UTILITY 9 \R DAILY LIVES1 9DUC+ US TO EXAM9E \R DESIRES & TRANS=M H[ WE RELATE TO EA* O!R ]OTICALLY4 

.<#e.> ,WAIT1 !RE'S NO?+ LIB]AT+ AB\T ATTEMPT+ TO 9DUCE DESIRES 9 O!RS4 ,?AT'S ! FUNCTION ( ! ADV]TIS+ 9DU/RY1 ! LEV] ( DEM& ?AT HAS DRIV5 CAPITALISM OV] ! PA/ C5TURY4 ,DEMOCRACY PURPORTS TO BE A M>KETPLACE ( IDEAS :]E WE CAN ALL TALK AB\T :AT WE WANT & !N DECIDE2 DIFF]5T CONFIGURATIONS ( DESIRE >E CON/ANTLY AT W>4 ,AD FIRMS DON'T JU/ CREATE SPECIFIC DESIRES1 !Y 5=CE A MODE ( DESIR+ ?AT CAN BE R\T$ ?R\< ! CONSUM] ECONOMY4 ,PROPAG&A1 SUBLIM9AL MESSAG+1 9DUC$ ADDICTION1 \TRI<T VIOL5CE3 !SE COMPRISE A BRUTAL >S5AL AIM$ AT US EV]Y MOM5T ( ! DAY4 ,>\ND ! GLOBE1 ! MILIT>Y CLE>S ! PA? = NEOLIB]AL PILLAG+1 :ILE ,N,G,OS GET 9TO ! BUS9ESS ( 9DUC+ PEOPLE TO WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT G5]AT+ CURR5CIES ?AT CAN BE EX*ANG$ ON ! GLOBAL M>KET4 ,\<T WE NOT BE SUSPICI\S ( A PROJECT FRAM$ 9 SU* TRANSP>5TLY MANIPULATIVE T]MS8 ,AS GRIM AS IT LOOKS1 ?IS VI/A REVEALS ?AT IF WE >E NOT P>TISANS ( C]TA9 MODES ( DESIR+1 WE WILL REMA9 OBJECTS RA!R ?AN SUBJECTS )9 !SE DESIR+ W>S4 ,WE CANNOT RETREAT 9TO ESS5TIALI/ NOTIONS ( UNE>?+ \R 0TRUE0 DESIRES FROM SOME 9T]NAL VAULT1 NOR A PSEUDO-,BUDDHI/ PROJECT ( EXT+UI%+ DESIRE ON AN 9DIVIDUAL LEVEL :ILE ! WORLD BURNS4 ,:AT SETS US AP>T IS ?AT WE /RIVE TO CREATE A WORLD 9 :I* EV]Y P]SON CAN REALIZE H] UNIQUE POT5TIAL ON H] [N T]MS1 RA!R ?AN SIMPLY PU%+ = ?IS OR ?AT OPTION )9 ! CURR5T CONDITIONS4 

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