OAXACA+
by Ricardo X
Anyone who has not at least glanced at http://oxtogrind.org/archive/428 should do so before getting into this. Please. What’s below is unedited, rushed out to reach those who might read this early today. Forgive.

Attended a Simon Sedillo presentation last night, November 9, at UCSC (Kresge Town Hall); http://brownberets.info/368. This is written 6:45 a.m., having not been able to sleep all night… because of not being able to generate interest in discussion of http://oxtogrind.org/archive/364. Below, I have jotted down very quickly… what I had wanted to at least touch upon with Simon and his associates… which includes my impressions of him and the audience. I’m going to go a bit easy here ’cause I don’t want to be too off-putting… just on the outside chance that I might be granted some time for deeper dialogue… to move in solidarity on behalf of the people of Oxaca. In person I can get down with ALL I have to say. [Please keep in mind, if you will, that although I spotlight Oaxaca here... there are other issues which I want to blend in....]

1. The proposal that I wanted to put on the table for consideration includes a potential opportunity for Simon to speak to the people of California — to stir up solidarity — once every week or so with the imprimatur of the office of the Governor of California. He could easily be one of our twelve citizens serving as Executive together… even from a distance in Oaxaca. Look at some of what he would have control over — all else being equal — by checking out http://oxtogrind.org/archive/311.

2. As mentioned at the meeting, I thought that Simon’s presentation was great, great in part because it cried out for ACTION. However, I didn’t find much interest in anyone wanting to take action as I circled the room before and after the presentation. I’m hoping that people who read the link I urged them to check out will understand that one of our goals is to have a Governor of California who will speak vigorously, creatively and repeatedly on behalf of the indigenous people of Oaxaca. Impossible? No.

3. Because not a single soul asked me a question about my plan for action, I’m tempted to characterize the evening’s event as something that’s — unintentionally — a part of what Simon refers to as AGENTS OF NEOLIBERALISM. Just as there’s a Prison Industrial Complex and an NGO Industrial Complex… there’s an Entertainment Industrial Complex, a dynamic that was not on Simon’s list of nine agents. That is, not only what’s on television and the like, but what’s offered up on book tours and film showings on academic campuses and elsewhere. It’s different than the Academic Industrial Complex that Simon was talking about, but it overlaps into that realm. In short, it’s comprised of lecture after lecture and the like… all designed to give the impression that there’s education being supported. Yes, talks and film showings and workshops, etc. can be educational, but — for a number of reasons — they too often (invariably?) stop short of discussing, planning for meaningful action. Witness my frustration over not being granted any time for discussion last night.

4. Overlapping the point made in #3 above, permit me to point out the need for everyone on the so-called Left to nurture the enthusiasm of people like myself, people who sincerely want to move meaningfully in solidarity. Last night — once again — I found people to be on a too-tight schedule, having no time to get down with something new… in detail. I’ve experienced this… incessantly.

5. It’s wonderful that Simon the sponsors of last night’s event planted the seeds that they did. However, a great opportunity was lost. We could have tested the waters for potential movement in solidarity… for purposes of immediate action. And I humbly submit that we should have. For the people of the United States, including many members in an audience like last night’s event, are not only arrogant — a description Simon offered up — but also resigned and/or cynical and/or not inclined to take action on an ongoing basis. If Simon and his associates had held some discussions with me prior to last night… possibly, we could have designed the Q&A segment to include a specific plea for action following the event. Sign people up, in a sense, for doing this or that subsequent to the meeting. Something unprecedented. Giving them a chance to be a part of creating a watershed in history. Taking their concern for the indigenous of Oaxaca beyond mere discussion and contemplation. If I sound like I’m in a rush about all this, YES! I do have a sense of urgency, I do feel we have deadlines to meet.

6. Simon made an excellent point about our potable water in the U.S. About how we arrogantly waste water, underscoring how some of his students try to conserve. I have a lot to contribute on this point, including an ability to provide the latest data on our groundwater in Santa Cruz County. It is going downhill FAST, toxicity increasing at an incredible rate. And this is just one example of an environmental fact which Simon’s plea for action could have latched onto. Specifically, if you want to motivate local people to action, you’d be hard put to find a better motivator than pointing out that they’re being poisoned by neglect of their own government, by their own arrogant indifference. Thus… there is the potential to link the plight of the people of Oaxaca to common cause with California citizens… above and beyond the usual connections… based on compassion.

7. There is an enormous difference between nonviolence and pacifism (as per Ward Churchill and Mark Kurlansky), and I believe that got lost in the shuffle last night. A very important subject as per comments during the Q&A. I have much to say on this topic as it relates to the people of Oaxaca, but I will save that for in person contact with readers.

8. For what it’s worth, many high profile figures worldwide, including significant activists from Mexico, have endorsed our effort to “take over” the State of California (TOSCA). A short list of supporters can be viewed at http://oxtogrind.org/archive/336. When Simon invoked the name of Arundhati Roy last night, I was delighted… not the least because she is part and parcel of the activism advocated by Howard Zinn, one of the highly influential souls who have provided their imprimatur for TOSCA. To have Howard’s “green light” is tantamount to having Arundhati’s support.

I will sign off now, not including everything I have to say… not by a long shot. I invite one and all to visit me and my family in the Vienna Woods of Aptos (near Cabrillo College)… for purposes of discussion and planning.

Blessings in solidarity,
Ricardo X http://oxtogrind.org/archive/378
tosca.2010@yahoo.com
P.S. I am heartbroken that I did such a bad job last night in describing what I have to offer, what I want to do in solidarity. What I think others could do. Fail. Fail again. Fail again better.