“Due primarily to the struggle of women, the connection of the American Indians with the land, the local religions and nature survived beyond the persecution providing, for more than five hundred years, a source of anti-colonial and anti-capitalist resistance. This is extremely important for us, at a time when a renewed assault is being …
“Due primarily to the struggle of women, the connection of the American Indians with the land, the local religions and nature survived beyond the persecution providing, for more than five hundred years, a source of anti-colonial and anti-capitalist resistance. This is extremely important for us, at a time when a renewed assault is being made on the resources and mode of existence of indigenous populations across the planet; for we need to rethink how the conquistadors strove to subdue those whom they colonized, and what enabled the latter to subvert this plan and, against the destruction of their social and physical universe, create a new historical reality.”
This quote reminded me of a speech given by Russell Means that was published in Mother Jones magazine in 1980. After reading it again, there is much to ponder, particularly in comparison to Federici’s work and your essays here. At first, I found my back going up when Means refers to European culture, but reading further into the speech there appears to be some congruity with your take, Rhyd. I would be curious, though, to hear how you would respond to Means’ assertion that Marxism and Anarchism are antithetical to indigenous struggle/resistance. (If you have time to read and respond....I realize you have other things to do, brother!)
“Due primarily to the struggle of women, the connection of the American Indians with the land, the local religions and nature survived beyond the persecution providing, for more than five hundred years, a source of anti-colonial and anti-capitalist resistance. This is extremely important for us, at a time when a renewed assault is being made on the resources and mode of existence of indigenous populations across the planet; for we need to rethink how the conquistadors strove to subdue those whom they colonized, and what enabled the latter to subvert this plan and, against the destruction of their social and physical universe, create a new historical reality.”
This quote reminded me of a speech given by Russell Means that was published in Mother Jones magazine in 1980. After reading it again, there is much to ponder, particularly in comparison to Federici’s work and your essays here. At first, I found my back going up when Means refers to European culture, but reading further into the speech there appears to be some congruity with your take, Rhyd. I would be curious, though, to hear how you would respond to Means’ assertion that Marxism and Anarchism are antithetical to indigenous struggle/resistance. (If you have time to read and respond....I realize you have other things to do, brother!)
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/10/russell-means-mother-jones-interview-1980/
Thank you so much for these essays. I’m still working my way through the book, and these have been an excellent companion to the text. Bravo!