That's a dirty word

Anyone that has met me knows that I am a person with left-leaning tendencies. While I am open about my opinions, I am quite wary of publicly aligning myself with a particular ideology (funny that I write this in a blog!). Mostly because I dislike being labelled and put into a box. Also, I think many people misunderstand the category that I have the biggest affinity for. 

When compelled (or forced) to describe my socio-political leanings, I give the description of anarchist. I sometimes qualify myself as anarcho-communist, but the distinction does not make much difference unless you are well versed in the anarchist tradition. (Much like that sentence, I suppose.)

Anarchism is a dirty word. You can see a face recoil when you say it and hear distain when others say it. It is such a misunderstood and misrepresented term. It is poorly portrayed in the media and popculture, and we tend to dislike words that imply how the world ought to be. But, anarchism is such a beautiful political ideal. I believe that if people understood it, they would see value in it.

Since I have encountered this conversation a lot recently, I wanted to (briefly) set the record straight. 

Anarchism is not robbery, murder nor bombs. It is not disorder, chaos nor a war of each against all. It is absolute freedom of the individual. 

Anarchism is against invasion, enslavement, theft, coercion and compulsion. It is the belief that everyone should have the chance to pursue the life they want rather than forced to live the life they were born into and did not want or cannot survive in.

Anarchism means that you, the people next to you, those across the street and on other side of the world should share the same freedoms, rights and liberties. 

Anarchism means that we should all live like sisters and brothers, in peace and harmony. It implies that there should be no war, monopoly, poverty or oppression. It is a condition where all are free and can equally benefit from an ordered and sensible life. 

Anarchism is the belief that a better world is possible.

If you like this very basic description, I encourage you to read Emma Goldman. A video for a quick introduction.