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Title: Why Break Windows Author: Armeanio Lewis Date: 2017/09/07 Language: en Topics: property, direct action, attack Source: Retrieved on July 27th 2020 from Warzone Distro (https://warzonedistro.noblogs.org/post/2017/09/07/why-break-windows-by-armeanio-lewis/) Notes: All credits to Armeanio Lewis for the original text, and Warzone Distro for the retrieved version.
The attack is the most beautiful moment an anarchist can undertake.
Feeling the adrenaline of rushing to a window with a rock in hand, or
the moments before striking a cop with your fist. Planting the bomb,
pulling the trigger, shouting FUCK THE POLICE! The attack is an
experience unlike any other, one many of us desire to experience, and
many of us have experienced. We get tingles and a rush of adrenaline
just thinking about it. Picturing ourselves tossing the lit Molotov at a
line of riot police is one of the most entertaining day dreams all of us
have. Power alone in scandalous thoughts many in our own milieu have
tried to extinguish. They tell us we can’t blow up a social
relationship, but time and time again we show them we had a hell of a
time trying.
Anarchist attack is a tradition, and a foundational base of anarchy.
Without the attack as the actualization of our desires and dreams, what
are we but bitter Marxist begging the working class to follow us?
Without the attack we are but mere political elites, constantly talking
down to the slaves “below” us in hopes of them joining our ranks, by
signing up for our Listserv or joining in our boring chants all about
the “power” of the “working class.” We are just sophisticated creatures
who talk talk talk.
The attack serves as a reaction to the constant tension between those
below and those above. Our declarations of hatred are a downtrodden
reaction to the strengthening grip social order holds around our
throats. The bomb is planted not to only to instigate a reaction, but to
defend against initiated violence against us. Social and material grips
on our self, locking the gate to our unique, declaring us as criminals
and roaches to be crushed under the boots of state tyranny, capital
exploitation, and sexual shame. So much power pressing us against the
walls in hopes to keep us there, willingly working and slaving away to
continue the death march to extinction for profit and power. Boots on
our throats, hands on our necks, and knives to our crotches, and they
wonder why we react!
But among this reaction, this tension, we still do the work of our
enemies for them. Shaming other comrades, letting them rot in prison
alone without love and support, letting liberals boss us around because
we don’t fit the criteria for their petty leadership. Selling out other
comrades on ideological lines and dogmatic principles. Solidarity can
feel dead at times, even at a moment when passion burns brightest.
At this point in history we have reached an interesting rock and a hard
place with lines blurred between right and wrong, where the liberal fog
of nonviolent “resistance” is but a facade fewer and fewer individuals
are upholding. A time when Molotov cocktails have been thrown in
America, Bristol anarchist showing their swiftness under stressful
pressure and fear from the state. A time where it feels as if nihilist
anarchism is growing in popularity. A time where Murray Bookchin’s ideas
have actually inspired a revolution. We are currently holding our
breathes, humming before the tension reaches a boiling point. So, why
break windows you ask? Simply put, why the fuck not? However, before we
can answer why...
As a child, do you remember feeling tense, agitated when your parental
figure ordered you around the house? Demanding you pick up the toys, to
do your homework, and be respectful. Initiating this false facade of
“legit” authority over your young and adventurous self? At the time, or
currently depending on your age you felt that tension. That bubbling
rage inside desiring to shout NO! So petty we think now, but is it petty
or is it microcosmic?
In school, work, or out on the town we can see and feel this tension
everywhere. When the school child refuses an order barked at to her
solely because her skirt is “too short” and “distracts the boys.” When
your boss demands you perform better because you “just look like you
aren’t performing at your best.” When the cop pulls the gun on the black
individual solely for walking where society doesn’t want them.
Tension is our conceptualization of the power produced between opposing
forces, contradictory forces. Whiteness against Blackness, the state
against the criminals, society against the individuals. Tension is how
we describe the grasp of our throats by the boot and the pressure of
conformity. Our own conceptualization of a bubbling force of againstness
between us, and them. Some say look at the grey, but it is as black and
white as a dichotomy can be. There is no middle ground with power, you
have it or you don’t. You are the powerful being in charge, or you are
the bitter and resentful slave below.
Recognition of ones social and material placement. An understanding that
the weight is on our shoulders. Our daily interactions are upheld by
this tension, as is the slave’s reaction. Confrontations on every street
corner surround us, and hold dominion over our existence because that is
what life is. A constant tension, a feeling of weakness.
But within this recognition, we find the difference between tension, and
anarchist tension. The slave, the common worker, understands this
relationship but accepts it with open arms. Opening the door to the
unwanted guest out of a fear of repression and failure. Eager to please
the ferocious monster, as it laughs. Selling their own child over to the
beast to be sacrificed as they were, to become yet another common
worker. To become yet another slave to drive the death march home to a
decayed and destroyed earth, with only the faintest hint of nature left.
This comrades, is what separates tension, from the anarchist tension.
The anarchist tension is not defined by the destructive and tyrannical
relationship between the worker and the boss, rather it is defined by
the bullet lodged into the bosses head as the worker runs in gleeful
hurry to the nearest safehouse. The anarchist tension is defined not by
the “checking of privilege” but the fist to the face of the obnoxious
bro calling the sexy lad a faggot. The anarchist tension is not defined
by unease of submission but the refusal and reaction against expected
submission. The anarchist doesn’t stop at saying no, they continue until
death.
Like tension, there exists a difference between reaction against power,
and the anarchist reaction against power. For the common slave a
reaction is simply a venting of unease. Complaints amongst co-workers
about how hyperbolic the boss presents themselves as. Woman in the club
bathroom mocking the jockey dude bros who hit on them in the most
asinine ways.
The reaction of the slave is merely a tension reliever that does not
confront those with power head on, but rather directs rage into small
pockets that ventilate the rage so they can continue another day of
miserable existence.
A more modern and personal example of this would be the petition.
Internet sites such as Change.org, or Whitehouse.gov contain the
possibility to make a petition, and then attempt to make it viral for a
week, in an attempt to garner as much gossip and supporters as possible.
Then, when all is said and done, the petition and all talk of it
disappears until a new petition takes its place, or a new social cause
to get riled up about. Constantly shifting, but taking momentary pauses
and going back to shopping working and general submission.
Another modern example would be the role of opinionated journalism sites
that tout “social justice” as a meaningful concept such as Huffington
Post, or Jezebel, or even Black Girl Dangerous. Posting article after
article based around the hot new social issue effecting modern society
and all of its inhabitants. Like petitions however, they are but minor
ventings that simply proclaim a sense of againstness, but never
actualize into one outside of social media. It should also be stated all
of these sites feature ads, which generate revenue for these sites. This
venting is not only useless, but it is commodified! Tired of racism and
white supremacy? Read this article and oh, also generate us money based
on your frustration!
And this is where the anarchist reaction diverges from the simple
reaction. As anarchist, we take things further. We are radical,
rebellious, iconoclastic, nihilistic individuals who’s only goal is the
destruction of which destroys us. Capitalism, White Supremacy,
Patriarchy, all of these apparatuses of domination that aim to control
us, that expect us to submit. They are not met by a simple proclamation
of againstness but a swift and decisive action that not only proclaims
but shocks those in power. From the simple smashing of windows to the
placement of a bomb or the robbing of the bank our actions are heard and
felt rather than ignored and treated as everyday life.
As anarchist our reaction is not simply venting but constant and
consistent anger and rage towards this society. Our anger isn’t centered
and focused on minute details of specific apparatuses but against them
in totality. Our anger isn’t brushes aside, it is fought back against
with harsh repression. FBI raids, long prison sentences, infiltrating
state agents. SO many resources are placed against us because of our
reaction, not because of our positioning. Anyone can proclaim that they
are against the police, but that is merely a reaction. We not only
proclaim, but we act by smashing up the states vehicles and torching
their offices, this is an anarchist reaction.
Finally, to the point of this small zine; why break windows? As stated
at the beginning this question has a very simple answer that doesn’t
need entire pages to explain and justify. The smashing of a window is
simply a microcosm of grander actions taken by other anarchist. Whether
you are pro violence and nihilist terrorism, or if you are against it,
we can all agree it is much grander than smashing a simple window.
However, as anarchist grand is not the point of our rage. Whether we
build a solidarity network to help those in our lives resist the control
and abuse by tenets pulling sleazy tactics, or if we rob a bank to fund
our revolutionary activities, we are all contributing to a simple idea
that we are the creators of our experiences. Not society, not
capitalism, not socially constructed systems of control like race or
caste. In our own ways, we all fight back and it is important not only
tactically, but emotionally to support and declare solidarity with acts
that resist and fight back. We can critique, and boy we do, but we can
also accept and praise.
So rather validate and justify window smashing, I would rather take a
more risky route and attempt to convince you why you should the next
opportunity you get.
The smashing of a window, like all acts of resistance, is as exciting as
it is risky. The adrenaline of running up to a window and smacking it
with a flag is an experience unlike those which we commonly experience.
Telling a cop to fuck off is nothing compared to smashing his car’s
window out! Tagging “Fuck gentrification” on the wall of that new coffee
shop is nothing in comparison to smashing its windows out during a riot
or a small and simple attack with friends! Smashing a window is the most
intense form of attack and tension building you can do without facing
too much legal repercussions. Smashing a window is also ridiculously
easy.
A wise anarchist once told me in his poetic writings that freedom is not
an achievable goal, rather a lived experience, that we feel when
participating in clandestine and violent acts against the establishment.
Tagging will make you feel free, smashing a window will make you feel
free. Yelling FUCK THE POLICE with a crowd will make you feel free.
Simple acts with no meaning, except the meaning that comes with the
anarchist reaction and the anarchist tension.
Smashing windows is also a very popular, and very effective
actualization of propaganda by the deed. I would not be writing this if
it wasn’t for an anarchist smashing a window in-front of me. How
exciting and fun that looked! I kept hearing chants of “Anarchy now!” as
well, so of course I went to google. Will smashing a window inspire
everyone? Of course not! It will however, inspire someone.
Lastly, why not? Smashing windows largely take place in 3 possible
situations. A riot, a street demo, or a night time action taken with
comrades. Alternatively and most often, the act takes place when all
three are combined. In all of these situations you are there because you
are an anarchist, so make it an anarchist reaction! Turn the boring
chants in loud decelerations and demands for freedom, then experience
freedom and feel what it is like to resist and fight back as an
individual, take power for yourself and throw the brick!
The most common argument against smashing windows, really the only
argument worth engaging, is that window smashing does nothing to advance
the “anarchist cause/movement” and “only makes others hate you!” Lets
take a look at the various forms this argument exist in.
that smashing a window will incite a mass and global revolution where
workers worldwide seize the means of production and finally abolish the
state, absolutely nobody argues that, because that is not the point to
breaking a window. Breaking a window is but an individual expression, an
anarchist reaction. Breaking a window also separates the leftist
charade, a.k.a. street parade, from the riot. Boring chants, boring
leaders giving boring talks, boring walking in circles doing nothing but
holding a sign. Until, that is, a window is smashed. Dumpsters being
thrown into the street and set on fire, projectiles being thrown at
cops. A tone and aura of againstness and rage culminating into the most
exciting moment of your boring life. Smashing a window is not a
logistical choice to strategically advance a movement, but an individual
decision to react and fight back and finally feel a sliver of freedom.
that business be smashed and torched? A common argument presented is
that when you smash a window, workers pay for it. This is partly true,
as workers pay for anything anyone does to or with the business, because
they are workers. If a janitor has to clean up a broken window, is that
not already part of their job? Workers are defined by their business and
the roles in place, which is already a damaging relationship anarchist
are against. So why do we pretend we are saving them when we choose not
to/stop someone from smashing a window? The only worker you are
protecting is yourself to finally feel good about something you did and
pretend as if you are some saviour. Enough with this anarchist! Lastly,
lets say the worker’s pay is docked because of a smashed window. Why
don’t we organize a solidarity network and get that pay back? Hit them
on multiple fronts, not disencourage action for the sake of
presentation.
not have to care about being presentable or respectable. We are
anarchist for crying out loud! We state within our name alone that we
are against all this society stands for, is it any wonder why they shame
us? As if your union strikes are as well liked as teenage rioters. Both
are presented as parasitic scum, damaging the core of this society. Both
are presented as something to not follow and join in on, yet for some
reason people do anyways. Why is that? Because either people will like
us, or they will not. Treating ourselves like show dogs, making sure all
the hair is trimmed and fluffy and cuddly, will not change a goddamn
thing because at the end of the day we are still a show dog who’s only
reason for existence is to garner money for their owner.
Is it valid to not personally partake or agree with window smashing? Of
course, but to so publically shame and harass those who do? As if your
existence is any more relevant?
The fear of repression is the states strongest enemy, so, how do we as
anarchist combat this? Simple. BE SMART. Getting away with smashing a
window is incredibly easy, so here are a few tips.
prints from a cell phone app. Prints, in reality, are actually quit
difficult to gain, however one should still take precaution. It is
obvious why if you are already in the system from prior arrest, but if
you are not here is something to remember. The state recognizes patterns
extremely well. If finger prints are reoccurring not only are they
stored in the database, but are linked together. If you do get caught,
well there is the evidence. How to avoid this? WEAR GLOVES. Really any
gloves will do. You can buy black gloves for a dollar at the dollar tree
for example, or find them anywhere in a cheap store. Also, garden gloves
will hide your prints. Lastly, for those extra cautious, wear latex
gloves underneath your gloves.
as well as the hair of an individual are not only the most recognizable
features of the face, but when linked together make the state yell
“Gotcha!” It’s very easy to hide all of this. WEAR ALL BLACK AND BLOC
UP. Simple guides are everywhere, and if nervous about NSA spying,
simply google “how to look like a ninja.”
act and react, it is also just as important to not do so blatantly
infront of a cop, or in the middle of a quit time around a bunch of
peace police. Some will argue, fuck that do it whenever and I agree with
this position, but I am me and they are themselves. Are you willing to
face time in a cell? It’s okay if you aren’t, but take care of yourself
and realize you could get caught.
really want to share with others but for the love of god keep your mouth
shut because it will get you caught. In closing, smashing a window is
fun but like all acts of resistance it has its own danger. I personally
argue to not worry about getting caught, and merely take your rage with
you in prison and beyond. However, I am me and my own individual being.
We are anarchist, not Marxist. You make your own decisions. Are you all
about getting away with it, or are you uncaring? Neither determine how
much of an anarchist you are, rather they determine who you are and what
is important to you and that is okay. Smashing a window won’t change the
world, nor will it inspire a thousand new window smashers. It will make
you feel a sliver of freedom and give you a memory worth keeping to keep
yourself inspired and angry. It will grant you experience, knowledge,
and excitement. It will give you something to be proud and happy about
amongst the constant depression we all face about how miserable this
world is. So, when asked why smash a window, answer back with... WHY THE
FUCK NOT?