Some Thoughts about Attacks
The following is from a talk I gave at an RC workshop in Los Angeles, California, USA. The name of the workshop was “Ending Classism—Going Public with What We Know about It, and Handling Attacks.”
We can expect to be attacked. We need to be prepared. I’ve experienced some unusual things that have suggested that an attack might be coming:
At one point I had a job represented by a union that had connections to organized crime. I went to my first union meeting. Hardly anyone was there. A man asked, “What’s the problem?” and “Do you want to go across the street to the bar and talk about it?”
Once I received an envelope that contained copies of my published letters to the editor of the local newspaper. Someone wanted me to know that they were watching.
Years ago, when I was coming back from a working-class liberation workshop in England, I was taken aside and interviewed by an agent at a U.S. airport. He wanted to know about my machine-shop job in the aerospace industry.
I was helping to organize the tenants in my apartment building. Neighbors were threatened. An organizer was roughed up [physically attacked]. The landlord’s management company asked the neighbors, “Who is the leader?” (My neighbor replied, “We are all leaders!”)
The following are some suggestions related to attacks:
- Discharge, discharge, discharge.
- Discharge on the long history of political attacks on liberation movements and rebellions.
- Discharge distresses from living in parts of the world where anti-communist, Cold War messages have dominated.
- Learn and discharge about the U.S. Great Depression and the progressive organizing that produced Social Security, other social safety nets, and higher taxes on the wealthy. There was a strong reaction—during the McCarthy era in the 1950s, activists were targeted for being, or being suspected of being, communists.
- Stay human, listen to people who are angry at your ideas, try to make a human connection, and act as counselor—while occasionally stating your position in a relaxed tone of voice.
- Read about handling attacks in the Guidelines for the Re-evaluation Counseling Communities.
- Take care of yourself. Part of the RC world changers’ commitment says, “The future needs me, well-rested, well-nourished, well-exercised, and well-organized.”
Los Angeles, California, USA
(Present Time 207, April 2022)