Halifax class war
Nov 4 2009 00:31
A few of us from Halifax (West Yorkshire) are setting up a Class War group. So far we have very little plans (not to mention people) except for selling the paper. Any advice or help would be great, I've e-mailed a few groups, including West Yorkshire solfed, London class war etc, but for whatever reason they are yet to reply. Though we have chosen to rally under the cw banner we aren't explicitly cw, it just seems the most appropriate for the area, so if your of a pacifist persuasion please don't be put off.
Like i said any advice on starting up or anyone in the area willing to get involved would be greatly appreciated.
Nov 4 2009 01:27
#2
We've only taken CW as our title as the paper went down really well when a copy or two surface in one of the pubs. We don't really have our politics very well outlined so far (as a group at least) and i think we ultimately plan to try and represent CW, AF and Solfed in the area so any input from anyone of an anarchist persuasion is helpful 
Nov 4 2009 15:55
#3
Would probably also be worth getting in touch with Leeds AF. I've chucked them an email, but you can email leeds (at) af-north.org yourself if you want. The Yorkshire Anarchist Federation site is here: http://yorks-afed.org/ , but it's got more Sheffield than Leeds stuff. Good luck!
Nov 4 2009 18:21
#4
Yeah Farce beat me to it with the AF links. Obviously there is the newly reformed Leeds Class War group which I'm sure you know about 
http://leedsclasswar.wordpress.com/
And regarding anti-fascism, the 635 Group is in the area.
Plenty of groups you're way it would seem.
Nov 4 2009 19:36
#5
good luck to you in starting up your new group. hoep it goes well.
Nov 5 2009 00:36
#6
To be honest, the Class War paper's a fucking disaster and the organisation's practically non-existent. Make your own prop, doesn't have to be much and it can be localised.
Nov 6 2009 16:26
#7
I don't know, it's possibly the only anarcho-paper i've ever seen some one smile whilst reading. It depends on the readers. The AF's resistance and solfeds catalyst are all well and good for people who are already politically minded in some way, but unless you actually want to think politics they're a bit drab. Class War (the paper) is genuinely a funny read and, even if the politics might be a bit disagreeable sometimes it appeals to people because its funny.
Nov 6 2009 16:32
#8
Thanks to everyone else though, we've been in touch with the leeds class war group, we actually decided to start after hearing they were. Things are starting to shape up now, hopefully we'll get some local support to back it up.
Thanks again.
Nov 6 2009 16:44
#9
Halifaxclasswar wrote:
I don't know, it's possibly the only anarcho-paper i've ever seen some one smile whilst reading. It depends on the readers. The AF's resistance and solfeds catalyst are all well and good for people who are already politically minded in some way, but unless you actually want to think politics they're a bit drab. Class War (the paper) is genuinely a funny read and, even if the politics might be a bit disagreeable sometimes it appeals to people because its funny.
Isn't it a bit cruel to laugh at the Class War paper?
I was also part of the Catalyst collective until very recently, so I note your criticisms. I assure you that it's not the intention of the editors to exclude "politically minded" people. When I think about it, I think it maybe a bit of a simplified understanding of the "general British public" to distinguish between the "political" and the "apolitical". It's a crude, patronising distinction that some anarchists make which veers dangerously close to Leninist ideas of consciousness. I think most people would have to be open to hearing new ideas in order to pick up a publication by an independent political group of any stripe, even if they do have crap, diluted jokes in them.
Have you seen the new (8 page, tabloid) issue of Catalyst?
Nov 6 2009 17:11
#10
Halifaxclasswar wrote:
I don't know, it's possibly the only anarcho-paper i've ever seen some one smile whilst reading. It depends on the readers. The AF's resistance and solfeds catalyst are all well and good for people who are already politically minded in some way, but unless you actually want to think politics they're a bit drab. Class War (the paper) is genuinely a funny read and, even if the politics might be a bit disagreeable sometimes it appeals to people because its funny.
I find it quite offensive and patronising, a paper produced by university graduates who write like they believe that working class people are too stupid to understand political ideas beyond 'hospitalised coppers'.
Devrim
Nov 6 2009 17:22
#11
To be fair Dev, where's it say they're all graduates?
Nov 6 2009 17:38
#12
Yea i suppose it is a bit cruel, still, can't beat the maggie poster i got from one of the recent issues. Never fails to brighten my day
I agree with what you say about drawing a line between the 'political' and 'apolitical' but what i have noticed, amongst my friends at least, is that Class War was a good way of 'breaking the political ice', since politics aren't 'cool' then no one will talk about it but after i introduced the Class War paper, people became more willing. I'm by no means saying that Class War alone can change the world, but its a good first step in a BNP-voting town like halifax. Considering papers alone can you really imagine someone going from The Sun to Catalyst/Resistance (I admit, i havent seen the latest issue, but the ones i have read at least), whereas The Sun to Class War and then to catalyst/resistance is a bit more feasible, also the quality of the jokes is surely a subjective issue? I understand your criticisms of class war, it is kind of just the anarcho-sun, but i think it has a valuable role to play that is easily over-looked if we accept that the working class are all the down-troden intellectuals we would like to think they are.
Nov 6 2009 17:43
#13
i think if you want to do tabloid-style the Mirror's a much better model than the Sun. i mean Class War obviously has its demographic, but i think it's based on quite a narrow caricatured view of the working class (i.e. lives on estates, works manual jobs and hates the police), when the reality is much more complex (although going by Class War's 'mug a yuppie' stickers, pretty much all of the ~500 people who took a Catalyst this morning at Brighton train station should be stabbed in the face ).
that said it's a tricky issue, literacy rates in some areas (like the rural backwater i grew up in) are pretty poor, which means you do need to be able to convey your ideas in an accessible way without dumbing down. on the flipside, the working class as a whole are probably better-educated and more discerning consumers of media than ever. so there's quite a broad spectrum to cater for.
Nov 6 2009 17:50
#14
Quote:
I find it quite offensive and patronising, a paper produced by university graduates who write like they believe that working class people are too stupid to understand political ideas beyond 'hospitalised coppers'.Devrim
Or perhaps its written directed at people whos lives are so bleak any way that they just want a laugh?
The crushing depression of living hand-to-mouth coupled with the alienation of modern society doesn't really leave many people, regardless of how intelligent they are, willing to intentionally concern themselves with the problems of everyone else on the planet.
Nov 6 2009 17:59
#15
Joseph Kay wrote:
(although going by Class War's 'mug a yuppie' stickers, pretty much all of the ~500 people who took a Catalyst this morning at Brighton train station should be stabbed in the face
Yea... thats also something we want to get away from, i never did like that view of what class is.
(i'd like to specify that i'm speaking on behalf of myself in the last few posts, rather than on behalf of the whole group)
Nov 6 2009 18:04
#16
Halifaxclasswar wrote:
Quote:
I find it quite offensive and patronising, a paper produced by university graduates who write like they believe that working class people are too stupid to understand political ideas beyond 'hospitalised coppers'.Devrim
Or perhaps its written directed at people whos lives are so bleak any way that they just want a laugh?
The crushing depression of living hand-to-mouth coupled with the alienation of modern society doesn't really leave many people, regardless of how intelligent they are, willing to intentionally concern themselves with the problems of everyone else on the planet.
Sorry, but the suggestion that even the poorest sectors of society don't have family, friends, a social life, interests etc and are reliant on Class War newspaper to enjoy themselves is absurd and once again patronising.
Nov 6 2009 18:12
#17
Thats not really what im saying, my point is that a lot of people wouldn't be willing to take up class struggle because they have enough problems in their life. So if class struggle is presented in an amusing way they might be more willing to consider it.
Nov 6 2009 22:21
#18
Caiman del Barrio wrote:
To be fair Dev, where's it say they're all graduates?
I am not saying that they all were. A fair proportion were though.
I think it is patronising when people who write sentences like the following are putting out propoganda like that:
Halifaxclasswar wrote:
Or perhaps its written directed at people whos lives are so bleak any way that they just want a laugh?
The crushing depression of living hand-to-mouth coupled with the alienation of modern society doesn't really leave many people, regardless of how intelligent they are, willing to intentionally concern themselves with the problems of everyone else on the planet.
Halifaxclasswar wrote:
Thats not really what im saying, my point is that a lot of people wouldn't be willing to take up class struggle because they have enough problems in their life. So if class struggle is presented in an amusing way they might be more willing to consider it.
Sure the working class is going to rise up, destroy the state, and implement a new economic system because it's 'presented in an amusing way'.
"Let's abolish the law of value today, that will be a right laugh".
Devrim
Nov 6 2009 23:01
#19
Like I say Halifax, good luck with your new group, but I think you'll find that Class War is a very specialised, niche interest, even within the anarchist "scene". It tends to attract young, middle class males, many of whom are of a punk persuasion. Nothing wrong with that demographic per se (it describes this poster perfectly for instance ), but Class War's newspaper will always struggle to break out of it.
The last handful of people I've seen selling the newspaper have all been European punks.
In general terms, you're probably better off getting involved in some local campaigns and then you have something to write about, making a cheap 4 page newsletter. If you carry on posting here, a myriad posters will happily offer practical advice.
Nov 7 2009 10:10
#20
Your clearly twisting my words dev, i have said time and time again that class war alone is useless, but as a part of the whole movement it serves its purpose. Im sorry if you think anarchism is serious business but the fact remains that up until this point the CW paper has been an effective method of encouraging people in my town to consider anarchism and to consider organising. Sure my conclusions as to why this has happened might be seen as patronising and they may well be way of the mark, but that doesnt change the facts. I really don't see why you have such a problem with the paper but whatever, don't read it. I started this thread to get advice not to hear about your pet-hates. I'm sure you can go and kick start the revolution with a fantastic essay on 'semantics in terms of kropotkin' or some other thrilling fun.
Caiman, i do appreciate the limitations of CW, but like i said to dev, its working, and its just a case of 'order-paper, sell-paper' so for inexperienced people like ourselves its a good way to start. We need a few more people roped in before we're in any position to produce our own stuff but when it comes to it i'll be sure to browse the forums and if i can't find anything then start up a thread. Cheers for the advice and encouragement and i'll try and be more wary of working-class stereotypes in future.
Nov 8 2009 01:42
#21
As someone who writes for the sun from time to time, I have to say class war is a poor imitation but equally contemptuous of its readers.
Nov 8 2009 13:18
#22
Halifaxclasswar wrote:
I started this thread to get advice not to hear about your pet-hates.
Ok, this is my advice. Don't join Class War now, as you seem to have very little idea what you are going to do anyway:
Halifaxclasswar wrote:
So far we have very little plans (not to mention people) except for selling the paper.
I think you should hold discussions with all of the national anarchist groups, SolFed, AF, L&S, as well as Class War. You could invite them to send someone to come and speak to you (separately, not together ). I am sure they would all send somebody. It is important to discuss, and deepen your understanding of politics before just jumping into setting up a branch of an organisation.
Halifaxclasswar wrote:
Im sorry if you think anarchism is serious business but the fact remains that up until this point the CW paper has been an effective method of encouraging people in my town to consider anarchism and to consider organising.
But consider organising what? Selling the paper?
Halifaxclasswar wrote:
I'm sure you can go and kick start the revolution with a fantastic essay on 'semantics in terms of kropotkin' or some other thrilling fun.
Actually, I have certainly never written one or an article about Kropotkin, and in twenty four years of regularly writing articles in anarchist/communist publications, I have never written anything that ran to longer than one page A3, or two A4.
Devrim
Nov 8 2009 19:19
#23
We have invited people from a few of the national groups and I, as an individual, have started to think that jumping straight onto the CW band wagon may have been a bit of a rash decision but we just felt the time was right to start something and CW was the easiest to do at the time. Like i said previously, we don't want to be exclusively Class War, the first thing we got hold of to distro was actually an AF booklet, but i do still stand by the belief that it has an important role to play.
I'll bring up the issue of whether or not we are a branch of CW or whether we're just borrowing the name at our next meeting. Cheers.
Nov 9 2009 09:14
#24
Hi, I'd echo some of the comments people have made about considering your options more carefully before making a decision on which national organisation you wish to join - and agree that what you propose now seems sensible. We have a list of tips and guides for people starting a group, hopefully you may find some of its useful!
http://libcom.org/organise/general-organising
Nov 9 2009 11:33
#25
Hi - if there's anything the AF can provide you to help with your distros, please get in touch. You can contact me directly and I'll send it to you. PM me for details.
Do you know we've got groups in Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester? We'd welcome getting in touch.
Nov 9 2009 12:55
#26
Also, if you've not encountered them already, you might find the Yorkshire Anarchist Group folk helpful: http://yorkshireanarchist.wordpress.com/about/
Nov 9 2009 14:51
#27
I think even if you do join a particular National Federation, you should promote a broad libertarian socialist politics, that reflects the interests of the members of your group and look for concrete issues you can organise around (esp any that all of the group are enthusiastic about). Also it is a good idea to do some actions as it helps the group cohere, helps create dymanism and raises your profile. Whilst maintaining a critical approach to action, avoiding running around doing actions for action sake, I do think doing the occasional stunt can be useful a useful,if critically approach. But stuntism as has been practiced by Class War in the past is a dead end. I is also really good idea once you have established to look at the group membership demographics and to see if there any reasons why certain people may find it difficult (or relevant) to get involved.
I'll chase West Yorks SolFed internally for you, they should get in touch. I think they have members in Hebden Bridge, Bradford and Leeds. Generally SolFed's politics are different to Class War's, but still probably worth having a chat about stuff. (SolFed's latest paper is here, for comparison).