rhin-a-rhin-a-rosy:

Really good article on how anti-capitalist movements can totally miss the point by reaffirming colonial occupation and the dispossession of Indigenous peoples.

written by Jessica Yee

“Let me be clear. I’m not against ending capitalism and I’m not against people organizing to hold big corporations accountable for the extreme damage they are causing.  Yes, we need to end globalization. What I am saying is that I have all kinds of problems when to get to “ending capitalism” we step on other people’s rights – and in this case erode Indigenous rights – to make the point. I’m not saying people did it intentionally but that doesn’t even matter – good intentions are not enough and good intentions obviously can have adverse affects. This is such a played out old record too, walking on other people’s backs to get to a mystical land of equity.  Is it really just and equitable when specific people continue to be oppressed to get there? And it doesn’t have to be done! We don’t need more occupation – we need decolonization and it’s everyone’s responsibility to participate in that because COLONIALISM AFFECTS EVERYONE. EVERYONE! Colonialism also leads to capitalism, globalization, and industrialization. How can we truly end capitalism without ending colonialism? How does doing things in the name of “America” which was created by the imposition of hierarchies of class, race, ability, gender, and sexuality help that?”

(Also, I’ve just been reading Feminism for Real: Deconstructing the Academic Industrial Complex of Feminism, which is edited by Yee and has lots to say about colonialism and racism within broader feminist movements and exciting articles that go beyond that/came before).