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Title: Neighborhood Associations
Author: Larry Gambone
Date: December 19, 2009
Language: en
Topics: neighborhood assemblies, municipalism, grassroots organizing
Source: Retrieved on 14th October 2021 from http://www.anarkismo.net/article/15310

Larry Gambone

Neighborhood Associations

The neighborhood association is an important area for anarchist

involvement. Of the popular organizations, such as trade unions or

cooperatives, these associations are the easiest ones to implant oneself

in. The reason is the lack of bureaucracy or controlling bureaucratic

caste with which one must struggle in the other institutions. The

neighborhood association is a natural place of involvement for militants

who are retired, students, self-employed, or on social assistance.

I have been involved in our association for three years. In that time, I

have helped in neighborhood clean up, fund raisers, meetings of up to

400 residents, public art and the location of colourfully painted

garbage bins. We had a successful campaign to stop noise pollution from

a local industry. Our Miner’s Heritage Picnic saw a thousand people

participating last year. We are presently engaged in creating a

neighborhood plan which is an attept to preserve the working class

nature of the neighborhood and rebuild much of the community that has

been lost through businesses moving to shopping malls in the city

perifery. Much of what we do takes the form of direct action. We don’t

ask for permission, we just do it.

Two years ago I was elected to the executive of the association. Where I

speak out or take some sort of a leadership role, is where I have the

applicable skills. I work to maintain a common ground approach within

the organization. I helped develop a very successful neighborhood

blog/newsletter. With my knowledge of labour history, I was able to put

together the Miner’s Heritage Photo Exhibit and to re-print the BC

Federation of Labour’s 1913 pamphlet on the Great Coal Strike of 1912.

My next goal is to set up a “literature department” to research and

publish infomation of interest to the neighborhood.

The neighborhood association is an important area for anarchist

involvement. Of the popular organizations, such as trade unions or

cooperatives, these associations are the easiest ones to implant oneself

in. The reason is the lack of bureaucracy or controlling bureaucratic

caste with which one must struggle in the other institutions. The

neighborhood association is a natural place of involvement for militants

who are retired, students, self-employed, or on social assistance.

The association gives a concerted voice to a neighborhood, creates

dialogue and in doing so, helps re-build community. Where these

associations do not exist, fear or prejudice-driven elements can stir up

the populace, encourage hostility toward minorities or prevent positive

developments within the community. Where a neighborhood association is

already on the ground, it can preempt such hostility and steer the

neighborhood in a constructive direction.

I have experience with such a situation. The neighborhood adjoining us

has no association. An attempt to create a soup kitchen for the poor was

crushed by a minority who whipped up fears about drug addicts and

homeless people. In our neighborhood an old hotel has been converted

into a controlled living space for people with drug and mental health

issues. Some people tried to stop this chiefly due to fear, but our

assocation was able to have a calming or moderating effect on the

neighborhood.

My reason for joining our neighborhood association is no different from

anyone else. I want to preserve the community that still exists in my

neighborhood and to re-build what has been lost. I am a member for a

real reason, a reason that relates to my personal existence. I am not

there for any ideological purpose, much less to convert people to an

ideology. And if you do have an alterior motive for being there,

eventually people will know it. Ultimately, there is no difference

between what I am seeking, what our association seeks, and my personal

beliefs. Community is also one of the foundation stones of libertarian

socialism.

My approach to working in the association could be applied to any

popular or grass roots organization. First and foremost, I listen to

what people have to say, probably the most important thing you can do.

When you listen, you will find what a truly amazing amount of talent and

experience exists in the group. In most cases, it will be far more than

you possess, and you will learn more from them, than they will learn

from you. Those few occasions where I do stand out are those areas where

I possess abilities needed by the group.

Flexibility is important. Perhaps not everything done or said by the

group is to your liking – though I cannot think of an instance when this

has been so. (I must point out that not all neighborhood assocations are

as advanced as ours.) It is important to keep your mind on the main

issues such as community building, inclusiveness, direct action and

democratic process, rather than getting hung up on secondary issues.

Doing is a necessity. No one likes a person who talks but does not act.

Within the confines of your time limits and capability, get involved and

do things. Not just the “cool” stuff either. I put up the tables and

chairs, take tickets, and try to be there when I am needed.

Speaking to the essence. You can refer to the core elements of

anarchism, such as direct democracy, direct action, self-management, and

encourage such tendencies, without ever bringing up the “A -word.” The

overtly ideological will only divide people, but actual anarchist

practice will unite them. Furthermore, since you are not the only one in

the group possessing many of the ideas you espouse, pull these ideas out

of people, rather than trying to put them in when they are already

there. (Nothing loses people quicker than appearing arrogant or a

know-it-all.) People will, in time, figure out where you are coming

from. But since you are respected, you will not be reduced to a media

caricature.

One thing you will discover when belonging to a functioning neighborhood

association, is that all progressives have far more in common with each

other than xenophobic or reactive elements. Whether social democrat,

socialist, Green or anarchist, at the neighborhood level, it does not

seem to matter a great deal. All want people to have more control over

their lives, to build community and to be inclusive.

With neighborhood associations that are dominated by fearful or NIMBY (

Not In My Back Yard) people, the role of the anarchist is obvious –

countering this negativity and encouraging an inclusive

community-building approach. However, if the association usually acts in

an anarchistic way already, what point is there in belonging to it as an

anarchist? What then is the point of having your theories and

ideologies?

Everyone’s insight and experiences are valuable – including your own. An

experienced, well-read anarchist brings with her the knowledge of the

sociology of power, a rich background in mutual aid, direct action and a

general history of social movements. You will, of course, not be alone

in possessing such knowledge, but the difference is, that as an

anarchist, you have specialized in these areas. You have the tools to

strengthen the libertarian tendencies that already exist within the

group.

Furthermore, you have a vision beyond the progress of the neighborhood

association, the city, or even community restoration as a whole. Once

again, you will not be unique in this, but anarchism envisages a form of

organization completely different from that which exists at present. As

the corporate state breaks down, socially, economically and

environmentally, the old, centralized, top-down form of organization

will become increasingly untenable. Neighborhood associations, as direct

democratic, decentralized institutions, could form the neuclei of a new

form of governance – one of federated neighborhood councils. When the

breakdown commences, anarchists ought to be there to promote this new

organizational concept.