26 lines
2.5 KiB
Markdown
26 lines
2.5 KiB
Markdown
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Theory exists to hone and deepen thought
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Theory shapes and follows praxis (“Belief initiates and guides action”), and praxis shapes and follows theory
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Through cycles of action and reflection (praxis and theory) we and our change efforts evolves
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Theory when used to terminate thought stifles this evolution
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Theory is only as powerful and effective as its application and dissemination
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Theory should incorporate and invite critique, analysis, reflection, and pedagogy
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Theory should be used to deepen thought, not terminate it. Theory used to terminate thought functionally becomes dogma, like the Bible in the mouth of the Christian nationalist. It becomes a tool of coercion, its purpose to pressure for obedience; it becomes a police baton, antithetical to liberation- only meant to subdue not to free or empower. Theory should be cited to invite further challenge & empower oneself and others, not recited in order to silence it or strike down dissent.
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The master's tools will not dismantle the master's house—the master's ways may lead you to usurping the master, but they will never lead you to collective liberation. They can only continue the means of enslavement.
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Even though I am currently writing what is ultimately a manifesto of sorts, I know that Ideology and theory will not save the world. It is not about what you have read or will read but what you have done and will do.
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Are we serious about what we're doing?
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Are we serious about building a community? We cannot take credit for revolutionary community building work if we are not actually doing what that work requires - which is to expand access and create a space which radically accepts difference. If you build a canon law of theory and ideology which people must strictly adhere to in order to belong in your space, you are nothing more than a cop.
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Are we serious about freeing the world?
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What have we built? Who are the people to whom you're accountable?
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Are your politics born out of love or out of spite?
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Just as anti-intellectualism and aversion to other perspectives is destructive to our organizing, intellectual superiority complexes in organizing spaces do nothing except reify white supremacist patriarchy.
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Err on the side of liberation
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We have to focus on the things we're building - these have more meaning than any ideology
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We have to prioritize liberation above notoriety and vanity and superiority. We're not trying to be intellectually superior in our work for liberation. We want to win.
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