Gandhi and guerilla; Chapter 6

A few comments on Chapter 6, which focused on the riots at the Democratic National Convention in 1968. This chapter was interesting. Kind of upsetting, definitely, but I liked the way it was presented; it really highlighted the array of ongoing problems that had built up so much tension and how it affected the approaches of each different group.

Someone else commented on the fact that it seemed like the protesters were not standing for anything in particular. I definitely got that impression too. I think it was just because there were so many interrelated issues and people felt so disenfranchised because their opinions were being completely ignored by the supposedly democratic government. While the anger was ignited by civil rights issues, the war in Vietnam, dissatisfaction with President Johnson, etc., I think the biggest motivating factor behind the riots was just unfocused bitterness and resentment of the establishment as a whole that very easily escalated into chaotic rage, in a large part due to the behavior of the Chicago police.

The chapter mentions a few times how important television was in this event, so I Youtubed it. Here is a video I found. The camera angle is pretty limited but it definitely does give a sense of how completely out of control things were:

Anyway, back to motivations. The Yippies I was particularly interested in, because it really seems like they were participating just because they wanted to protest something, to feel like they had some kind of power over the establishment that was preventing them from living the lifestyle they wanted.

Be realistic, demand the impossible. An immediate end to the War in Vietnam. The legalization of marijuana and all other psychedelic drugs… The total disarmament of the people, beginning with the police… The abolition of Money… We believe that people should fuck all the time, anytime, whomever they wish.

They clearly did not expect to achieve all of these demands– it’s not realistic for society to function based people doing whatever they want whenever they want. The few ideas they have that could be taken seriously– ending the war, legalizing marijuana– are just completely overshadowed by the ridiculousness of protesting to abolish money and fuck all the time.

I do like certain things about their approach, though. It reminded me of this recent event in San Francisco, which I have been meaning to post on here. Some of you have probably seen it:

http://laughingsquid.com/san-franciscos-answer-to-westboro-baptist-church/

It’s a group of people that got together to counter-protest a demonstration by the Westboro Baptist Church (not too different from the Repent America-type people we get here) by ‘protesting’ for completely ridiculous things like Silly Hats Only. I see certain similarities between that little demonstration and certain acts of the Yippies, like when they nominated the pig for President. I’ve been thinking about the idea of battling the powers that be with simple silliness since Mahoney told us about the protests with the people catapulting teddy bears and whatnot. Because when it comes down to it, a lot of what happens in the world is pretty much absurd. Taking something seriously gives it power over you. This group in San Francisco were obviously angry about the Westboro’s incredibly hateful messages (“God Hates Fags”), but instead of getting violent or even letting that anger show in their protest, they made it laughable. They resisted feeding into the negativity that grows out of agitation and tension. The Yippies had the right idea in part, but they took it way too far.

Well, this is getting long so I guess I’ll save any other thoughts for class. Peace!