Anarchism has a long history, huge volumes of theory,
and tons of ideas. It might seem daunting, even
impossible to think of how to apply it to everyday life.
Thankfully, putting anarchism into practice is pretty
damn simple. It's about living your life in the most free
way possible, it's about standing up for each other, and
it's about challenging authority and domination. So, in
the spirit of healthy rebellion, here are some casual and
lo-fi ways to put a bit of anarchy into your daily
life... but don't forget, anarchism isn't a theology.
Come up with your own ideas, too!
- Keep a black marker in your pocket at all times.
Use it to write on the walls of bathroom stalls.
Be poetic, be polemic, be situationist, and be
radical.
- Ride a bike everywhere you go, to remind you of
how important “place” is and how much
damn gasoline we are all wasting everyday.
Encourage others to do the same.
- Talk to at least one person you don't know,
everyday. Ask them “why in the hell don't
people talk to each other anymore?”
- Goto the place you fear the most: a neighborhood,
a nightclub, a house, a dark alley... challenge
your fear.
- If you see police hassling someone, talk to the
police and ask them what's going on. Stick around
to observe what's going on. Your presence can
help make sure the person is treated better.
Don't let the cops blow you off or threaten you
-- explain as clearly as you can that you want to
make sure the suspect's rights will be upheld.
- Challenge sexist, racist, homophobic, and
classist language from those around you.
- Give a couple bucks from your paycheck and an
hour of your time to a needy community group or
cause.
- Visit with homeless people-- listen to them,
don't preach to them. Try to understand where
they are coming from, and how this fucked up
system landed them where they are today.
- Set a chair out on a public sidewalk and talk to
those who pass by.
- Slip small cards into clothing made in places
like Burma, Bangladesh, or El Salvador that read
“This garment was made in a sweatshop. The
person who helped to make it was paid pennies for
their effort and still is on the verge of
starvation at the end of the day. Wear this
garment with pride!”
- Shop at nearby family/locally-owned stores, and
if possible, at collectively owned/managed
stores. Keep your money local and in the hands of
those who treat their workers well (and
preferably have unions). And don't cross picket
lines.
- Do not treat wage slaves with anger, contempt, or
impatience. They make shit wages and don't need
the extra stress foul behavior puts on their
workdays. Treat them with respect, kindness, and
appreciation.
- Write up your own zines, rants, propaganda,
fliers, and handouts. Make them interesting,
exciting, and thought-provoking (with lots of
pictures!) Hand them out to people you know, hand
'em out at the laundry mat, in your classrooms,
on the street, etc. Ask people to let you know
that they think of it.
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