this post was submitted on 10 Mar 2024
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Anarchism

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Or Just Say Nothing: A Response to CrimethInc.’s Initial Statement on Aaron Bushnell (abolitionmedia.noblogs.org)
submitted 8 months ago by Verner_Blues66 to c/anarchism@lemmy.ml
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cross-posted from: https://discuss.online/post/6031144

While it would be easy to dismiss this as CrimethInc [hereforth the Outlet] cautiously mitigating any potential liability if self-immolation generalizes, the rejection of the framework of martyrdom demands attention. The question is not whether Aaron qualifies as a shahid within the Palestinian context, although demonstrators in Yemen have proclaimed Aaron a “martyr of humanity” and an argument can be made for him having become an anarchist martyr in the lineage of Louis Lingg, Avalon, and Mikhail Vasilievich Zhlobitsky. The bigger issue: the Outlet’s assertion that an individual’s death, particularly in the context of the US, is the “worst of all possible certainties” reveals a deep disconnect with the context of this entire decolonial struggle. In the days following October 7th, anti-colonial anarchist thinkers such as Zoé Samudzi argued that the figure of the martyr marked a fundamental contradiction for the secular left’s ability to fully comprehend and act in solidarity with the Palestinian resistance. The martyrs constitute a force in the present for all who live and continue to struggle. Aaron framed his self-immolation as “not that extreme” compared to the ascension to martyrdom of tens of thousands in Gaza. By implying that Aaron’s choice was too extreme, the Outlet dishonors the reality of the struggle within Palestine and undercuts the potential of Aaron’s sacrifice.

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[–] delirious_owl 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

You're quoting Huey P. Newton out of context. In Revolutionary Suicide, he specifically advocated against ending your own life at your own hand. He called that reactionary suicide.

We all should respect Bushnell, but I think its fair to caution others to not pursue this reactionary tactic.

[–] Verner_Blues66 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I did not write the article I have linked, I am only sharing it.

I have posted some longer quotes from Huey P. Newton's work Revolutionary Suicide in the thread for people's reference. I find the following quote represents the idea that refusal to submit to and resistance against the military-prison industrial complex is revolutionary suicide. Bushnell's actions show that he was refusing complicity.

My prison experience is a good example of revolutionary suicide in action, for prison is a microcosm of the outside world. From the beginning of my sentence I defied the authorities by refusing to cooperate; as a result, I was confined to “lock-up,” a solitary cell. As the months passed and I remained steadfast, they came to regard my behavior as suicidal. I was told that I would crack and break under the strain. I did not break, nor did I retreat from my position. I grew strong.

If I had submitted to their exploitation and done their will, it would have killed my spirit and condemned me to a living death. To cooperate in prison meant reactionary suicide to me. While solitary confinement can be physically and mentally destructive, my actions were taken with an understanding of the risk. I had to suffer through a certain situation; by doing so, my resistance told them that I rejected all they stood for. Even though my struggle might have harmed my health, even killed me, I looked upon it as a way of raising the consciousness of the other inmates, as a contribution to the ongoing revolution. Only resistance can destroy the pressures that cause reactionary suicide.

[–] delirious_owl 1 points 8 months ago

His actions were Reactionary Suicide, not Revolutionary Suicide. Thats my point