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Think globally, protest locally: That's Revolting! author Matt Bernstein Sycamore provides a handy checklist of items no queer activist should be without
Advocate, The, May 24, 2005 by Matt Bernstein Sycamore
In 1992 at the age of 19, I was not naive enough to believe that voting for Bill Clinton would result in political change for the better; I bought the line that we had to "get Bush out." When Clinton succeeded in dismantling welfare to an extent that Republicans had only dreamed of, and radical queer activism virtually disappeared from the political landscape, I knew that I could never again vote for the lesser of two evils.
My book tour for That's Revolting! began one month before last fall's "election," and I scandalized some audience members (and thrilled others) by saying that when we're presented with no real choice, the only choice is not to vote.
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After the Greater Evil triumphed, some predicted a new wave of radical queer direct action. I must say that audiences on the second half of my tour (after Bush won) spoke more about disruption and resistance. Everyone has their own techniques, but here are 10 things that might be useful for any direct-action troublemaker:
1 Access to free photocopying. This is a great opportunity for your Mend with a corporate job to help out.
2 Art supplies for banners, posters, fliers, signs, stencils, effigies, and anything else you might need at a protest.
3 Wheat paste. Political flyers get torn down fast (especially in the "gayborhood"), so everything in public spaces should be as permanent as possible. Wheat paste can be made very easily with flour and water--just mix one part flour to three parts water, stir until blended, and then heat on the stove until it thickens. After it cools, use a wide paintbrush to apply one layer of paste under the flier and one on top. When this dries it's as good as wallpaper paste.
4 Neighborhood beautification tools. This is where numbers 1, 2, and 3 all come together. Don't forget spray paint, stencils, glass-etching fluid, disguises, and anything else that might be useful.
5 Lots of drag--you never know whether you'll want to blend or offend. Layers work well.
6 American flags, rainbow flags, or hybrids of the two. There's no need to buy these, since there are so many in public spaces waiting to be liberated. And there's nothing like a burning flag to get a demonstration started off right.
7 A force field--everybody will be stabbing you in the back.
8 A good lawyer who works for free. If you don't need a free lawyer, contact me immediately--you can be my patron!
9 A complicated critical analysis and a dedication to challenging all hierarchies of race, class, gender, sexuality, age, and ability. When in doubt, remember that marriage and the military need to be abolished; whatever the mainstream gay groups are saying is probably garbage; and community means taking care of people, not arresting them for getting in the way of gentrification.
10 The 10th thing I can't mention, or Homeland Security will arrive at my door.
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