102.-black-anarchist-reflections-on-bash-back-2023.pdf
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We are writing this document as black anarchist attendees of Bash Back! who are
trying to grapple with some of the broader issues/organizational questions within the
black anarchist milieu and how those convos came up during the weekend for us and
‘our homies. While we come from a variety of political backgrounds, we share a com-
mitted desire to insurrection and revolt for black autonomy. It was great to meet one
another and kick it over the weekend. We got to hash out the answers to some ques-
tions. There was alot of necessary conflict at Bash Back!. While reportbacks are fan,
though often misleading, our aim in this document is to talk in a broader, abstract
‘way about some of the questions and dynamics that occurred for black participants.



In a more positive spirit, che elf-organization of black anarchists was happening over
the course of the weekend. Examples include bur are nor limited to the Blacktivities
‘cookout Friday night. formal and less-than-formal self defense demonstrations (wink
‘wink), long convos at house parties and spontaneous meetups and conversations in
parks. It’s clear we are building a tendency parallel (but noc in reaction) to the white
anarchist milieu.

BIPOC AND THE POLITICS OF RESENTMENT
Its important to contrast activities like the black anarchist cook out and other infor-
imal gatherings with what scemed to be more prevailing attitudes, namely the BIPOC
caucus on Saturday.
“The reason to contrast these dynamics is due to the fact that it seems chat within
Black anarchist circles, there is not a clear answer or consensus on how we orient to-
‘wards nonblack POC and white radicals. It often feels that BIPOC spaces only exist
place for people to vent about white anarchist racism even though these concerns
and frustrations are valid
‘We also feel that “BIPOC organizing” or even the idea of POC solidarity is a dead
end for Black radicals. We dont think any POC group has more inherent solidarity
with the black struggle and BIPOC organizing runs into the same issues that much
of black-white organizing does.
‘An observation was made about the desire of black radicals to even purposefully
remain in BIPOC and all-white spaces behind what might be a misguided craving
3
for perceived uniqueness, inexperience with all-black spaces, and an assumption of
power that they think accompanies being the only black person in a room.’ These
appetites, while not at all reducible to singular reasoning, can stem from a larger
alienation that has yet to be exorcized. The baggage of the dominant social order
heavy. Having to not only analyze and dispel chat baggage while bolstering a new
sense of being aligned with a radical politic ean venture into the traumatic. Com-
plaining about white people is seen as a comforting political language bur retreating
into that comfort gets misconstrued asa significant, unifying political identity among
black people. Hating white folks is not a meaningful politi. I’ unsubstantial and
very surface evel, if not lazy.







‘One of the main weaknesses of such a politics of resentment can be located in an
unfulfilled desire for a place within dominant power structures rather than a precise
critique and push for it’s diffusion and ultimate destruction. Whats often confused.
for liberation, especially within black radical politics culled from authoritarian
spirations, is no more than the age-old reform of power, hierarchy, and authority.
‘Whether or not total freedom even entets the picture is up for debate.



A refreshing difference about the Black anarchist cookout was that no one even
brought up white people. There's enough issues internal to Black anarchism and the
broader Black liberation struggle that need to be grappled with. Limiting our ideas
and actions to addressing white people is fruitless. I's not expansive and it centers
the actions of a group that historically and currently oppresses us. For many of us
who talked over the weekend, developing autonomous projects as Black people is far
‘more interesting



ABOLITIONISTS, LIBERALS, AUTHORITARIANS, AND BLACK
PEOPLE WHO SIMPLY AREN'T ANARCHISTS

Its clear that autonomy and freedom mean different things to different people. To
be frank, a lo of self-described Black anarchists just simply aren't anarchist. In fact,
they tend to be liberals or even authoritarians who exist in the anarchist social spaces
‘our of convenience or as tokens. It’s also clear that as much as Black radicals in an
anarchist spaces may share a critique of whiteness, we may not share anything other
than that



= Luckily, on this front, there have been develop-
LD Rabiiiieaabiieled OLE mcnss. A good example of this was the debate
‘ a during the Maroon workshop that happened over
the weekend, The two presenters (black and in-
digenous, respectively) were pushing a. political
position that many in the crowd found to be au-
thoritarian and vanguardist and numerous Black
anarchists criticized their hierarchical approaches.
Nove: We fli relevant tal of hee pons thatthe
PEE mcs and cnpieson nds tevonaiacd sme
fSetorin one raion wo thos paces


‘Comrades remarked that in the past, theyd seen Black people circle up in radical
spaces despite political differences almost out ofa scarcity mentality. Or going even
further, Black authoritarian oF liberal perspectives would go unchallenged because
the speaker is Black in a mostly non-Black space.



‘Simultaneously, there were Black participants in the Maroon workshop who were up-
setabout the conflict and ridicule directed at the presentation. They made comments
about how we're “all on the same side” and other liberal platitudes such as “it’s prob-
lematic to laugh dusing a presentation” that diminishes very real political differences
between black people. This is just dishonest. To suggest that Black anarchists should
have common cause with Black liberals and authoritarian is real goofy. However, an
important development nowadays is that Black liberals and authoritarians can get
challenged by people that look like them and be forced to actually defend their ideas.

‘Asan increasingly prevailing form of liberal politics, abolitionism has so much ter-
ritory in black radicalism thar people assert false similarities between abolition and
anarchy, and are too generous with what it means to be an abolitionist without any
‘coherent critiques of the state and cay also lacking any real self developed
principles and action, Abolitionism is a political language of comfort, is devoid of
the visceral nature of attack contained within anarchism, and is the perfect home for
radlibs. The language of abolition has become so dominant in radical lexicons that
ic has warped people's understanding of material realty, where “informed consent,”
“restorative justice,” and “communities” obscure our understandings ofthe ranges of
repair, which frequently includes confrontation, expulsion and violence.









BLACK ANARCHIST PROJECTUALITY

“The anarchist subculture is mostly white. This has been true for decades. Though
there's some argument that it has improved in the last 5 years due to Black anarchists
building consistent long term projects, whiteness remains common and alienating
for most Black folks involved in anarchist spaces. ‘Though its uncomfortable, as we
mentioned earlier, there were a variety of conversations and vibes over the course of
the weekend that indicated that many Black anarchists are happy, or at least concent,
to remain within the mostly white anarchist space. One of our comrades back home
who didnt attend remarked that he felt anarchist convergences are often disappoint-
ing because very often the Black people who attend them don't really fuck with Black
people. Anarchism, unfortunately, can exist as a subculture for Black people who
are uncomfortable being around other Black folks, which opens up the space for
rokenism,

“The lack of imagination for something better than the current white anarchist subcul-
ture is uninspired at best and problematic at worst. While there's nothing inherently
‘wrong with remaining in white spaces politically if Black anarchist fel that they are
beneficial, to remain in these spaces while constantly complaining about the white
supremacy of the spaces isa bit odd. You can just leave and do something else. Do
something better. That's the principle of free association,




However, a lack of resources for black anarchists remains a persistent obstacle for the
‘materialization and/or actualization of many important Black anarchist projects. Be-
tween the isolation of Black anarchists in Black authoritarian leftist spaces, the Black
nonprofit world (fll of opportunist), or in white anarchist spaces, we find ourselves
at a constant crossroads. The only political solution to the lack of resources is to
orient ourselves in a way where we build autonomously amongst each other while
simultaneously criticizing, attacking, and seizing resources from our politcal enemies
whether they are authoritarians, Black nonprofiteers or (at times) white anarchists.

‘We also want to highlight what black anarchist projectuality can look like in light of
the cookout and our overall desire to grow the tendency. A big part of the weekend,
especially che informal conversations, was hashing out what the space can and should
look like if we are truly organizing for revolt. Ultimately for us, conversations with
other Black anarchists about tactics, strategy and the way we need to move are far
‘more critical in developing black anarchism as a tendency with areal ability to refuse
constraints, oppose authority and evade capture







SUGGESTIONS

Black autonomy meet-ups in person in your city or online. We can't build a real
tendency without knowing one another locally (make sure to tell people to leave they
white partner or homie at home). Often times these mectups will start very small and.
that’ okay. All projects gota stare somewhere. Building black affinity can be beau-
important, and shouldn't focus on scale. Prioritize building with other Black
individuals with the same ideas and goals as you.



Black anarcho-caucuses at radical gatherings chat focus on developing a set of
Black anarchist politics that isn just based on a resentment of white anarchists.
Confronting Black authoritarians and Black liberals about their stupid ideas at
their events and conferences. We need to draw cleavages in the black liberation move-
‘ment (works better when you gota crew).

Produce more Black anarchist works. If you disagree with us, write something in
response to this.
BL®C KTIVITIES

FRI, SEPT 8 a cookout & bonfire
5P _ 11P for black folk
Porenoces bring ur own vices




BEACH

bring zines to
share

NO SOCIALS // SIGNAL ONLY