What the fuck is Consumer* Democracy you ask? It is a little known issue but a very important one. Conusmer Democracy is based on the idea that every time you buy something, you are effectively voting. What this means, is that by buying from a certain store or person, you are giving your consent to the ways in which they conduct their business. You do this, whether you want to or not. Most people don't event think about where their Nike shoes are made, or the environmental destruction caused by Mcdonalds. In fact, a lot of people object to the unethical and immoral business pratices of many corporations, but they will still eat at McDonalds or buy Nike, Adidas etc. If you object to the exploitation of people and the environment that has become standard practice for corporations, DON"T GIVE THEM YOUR MONEY! If you buy food from Mcdonalds, then you are giving your consent to environmental destruction, poor wages and conditions for their workers and the shit food thay serve in general. Whether you like it or not, by buying a pair of Nike shoes or Disney products, you are giving the all clear for child labour.
Kmart, Big W, Target, Myers, Grace Bros, and all other chain stores all exploit their workers, and/or sell products that have been made under grossly poor conditions. They sell clothing made in sweatshops in poor and under-developed countries. Don't give your consent to these corporate monsters. Shop at locally owned, indepedentt stores. This way you are supporting your community and not contributing to the exploitation of others, (in one of the many ways, that is). This goes for McDonalds, KFC, Eagle Boys, Pizza Hut, Red Rooster, Hungry Jacks etc, too. If you have to eat meat, at least go to your local take away shop and help out the poor bastards. Mcdonalds and Co are slowly killing all of these businesses. Will you let it happen? IT'S YOUR DOLLAR, IT'S YOUR VOTE!
Dan, the singer of Melbourne band 'Block Nation' wrote an excellent speech on this topic. Check it our here.
*A 'consumer' is a person that spends their money within an economy. In other words all of us.
These essays are not written by any member of Recalcitrant. we received them form the Activate Anarchist magazine. However they are good so we are publishing the ones that we have read so far.
ABC of Anarchism
The Starvation Army - 12 reasons to reject the Salvation Army
The Spanish Civil War - Anarchism in Action
Everything You Ever Wanted to know about Anarchy (but were afraid to ask)
Sophie is the Federal Member for parliament for our local area of Indi. She is not a very nice person, the policies that she supports are dangerous to society and we believe it would be best for all if we voted her out of office next election, after all she is a Liberal and well, FUCK THE LIBERALS. Ok, so here are some little facts about her and her carreer.
- She opposed the ratification of the International Criminal Court because " it would corrode Australia's judicial independence". This is a ridiculous statement for her to make considering that she is a Barrister. The truth is that Australian Military personal could face charges if it was ratified and we can't have that, can we. That would change the image that we are a perfect, freindly nation that never does anything wrong.
- She labelled the Gay and Lesbian Madi Gras " tasteless and tacky" on ABCs Lateline ( 2/3/2001 )
- She is not even from this area, she grew up in Melbourne and had no links with the area
- Before she was elected she was unemployed, she only escaped the dole by friends putting her on the Employment National board
- She is a fucking Monarchist and a Christian freak
- When George W Bush came to Australia and the Greens tried to give him a petition, she called them "ferals"
I've noticed recently that almost everyone around me using the word 'gay' to describe something bad. I often ask these same people if they are homophobic and they will answer, no. While they may not realise and it, and i know that most don't, by using the word 'gay' to describe something you don't like they are furthering homophobia in society. It is using 'gay' in a negative context, thus saying that being gay is a bad thing. While you may not mean it, this is waht you are doing. Imagine that you are talking with someone too who is homophobic and you said thatg the movie you said you can't stand Eminem, but you said it like this 'Fuck Eminem, he's gay'. Yes it is true, Eminem is a fuckwit, but they wank that you are talking too could think, 'yeah, bloody faggots' or some shit like that. You see, by using 'gay' as a negative adjective (describing word) you are opening the door for negative thoughts against homosexuals.
Many of my friends also call eachother 'poofs' or 'faggots' when they are paying eachother out. This is the same as using 'gay' as a negative adjective. By doing this they are still putting homosexuality in a negative context.
This issue extends beyond just homophobia. Sexist and Racist terms are freely used by most people who aren't themselves racist or sexist. But by not thinking about what they are saying, people are spreading sexism and racism with every under thought conversation they have with friends and family.
All that I have described above is called 'Negative Re-enforcement'. I hate to get preachy on people, but Negative re-enforcement is something that most never consider but it is a serious problem that needs to be addressed if we are to progress as a more accepting and diverse society.