Like so many others, I used to think that anarchists were violent pricks who enjoy throwing Molotov cocktails and destroy property. As usual, the propaganda machine _reverses_ reality completely.
gemini://library.inu.red/document/larry-gambone-an-anarchist-credo
Many years ago I realized that most of the violence in the world is perpetrated by the State, under the guise of 'keeping peace', patriotism, and freedom. What a joke! Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Left, Right -- it is all the same.
The kind of violence individuals are capable of, and even organized groups -- say, the Mafia -- is nothing compared to the damage a 'peaceful state' can accomplish overnight. The only State to ever attack another country with nuclear weapons is continuously up-ending the global balance in order to sell weapons -- and tells you it is a peaceful, free country.
Governments are inherently evil, and corruption that permeates them causes well-intending people to do horrible things. Theft, counterfeiting, kidnapping, and murder -- often mass murder -- are the norm. Bombarded by sophisticated psy-ops, regular people become riled up by psychopaths, repeating absurd mantras and blaming innocent parties for the ills created by the State.
All I want is peace and quiet. In a coercive environment it is not allowed -- I am barraged by demands, bills, tickets and summonses, threats to comply with various absurdly time-consuming rules and laws, and forced to participate in and fund this opressive and destructive system. Here, psychopaths rule, sociopaths 'influence', and mindless crowds, repeating the mantra of the State, stand ready to stone you.
Self-reliance is discouraged -- it undermines the dependence on the State. We are taught that without the State and its anciliary machine of education, licensing and policing, we are nothing and chaos would descend upon us. Sharing with friends and neighbors is frowned upon, unless money changes hands. We can't work out problems with each other without the Courts and lawyers. Ideas must be patented and words trademarked -- or you may find yourself locked out from your own work. Doing anything requires so many permits, waivers and insurance certificates that a simple gathering of like-minded people is a logistical nightmare. Free speech is worshipped, as long as it is the right kind of free speech -- or you get gassed.
False-flag propaganda paints anarchists as violent brutes. The truth is the opposite.
Anarchism is about peace and freedom. It is about opposition to coersion -- while the State and its sympathizers live and profit by coersion.