Derrick Jensen, co-author of the book Deep Green Resistance
9/14/14:
"Journalist: "What will it take for 'the largest climate march in history" (the upcoming climate convergence in NYC) to translate to real progress?"
I answered, "I love what an environmentalist friend who is a medical doctor always says, 'The first step toward cure is proper diagnosis.' So what I would love to see is that we start with some honesty, which would include the understanding that this way of living is functionally unsustainable. Another thing I would love is if environmentalism would return to what it's supposed to be about, which is about saving the real world, instead of the travesty that so much of it has become, which is about how to 'sustain' this destructive culture longer. Which brings me to the other thing that would help, which would be if we address the destructive notion that humans are separate from and superior to the rest of the planet."
He then asked, "Generally, from the organizers to the first time protesters, is there anything lacking in their approach? For example, do we live in the democracy they think we do where such a protest can turn things around?"
I answered, "I think what is missing is everything I mentioned above. And I think what else is missing is exactly what you so brilliantly just pointed out." I want to be clear. I'm not suggesting people not go. I'm just repeating what my dear friend John Osborn always says, "The first step toward cure is proper diagnosis." And I'm saying that environmentalism needs to be about protecting the real world, not about maintaining this omnicidal culture."
In the work of revolutionary politics and outreach, Deep Green Resistance NY will be participating in the march and the surrounding events, with our big "We Will Dismantle The Pipeline" banner. We will also be tabling. This doesn't change our analysis that militant resistance is the last thing Wall Street wants anyone to be talking about - and that we must normalize militant resistance.
A must-read article that investigates how the non-profit industrial complex and Wall Street's interests are served by large marches that dissipate outrage and militancy and create the illusion that the march has done something beyond community spirit: http://wrongkindofgreen.org/2014/09/15/this-changes-nothing-why-the-peoples-climate-march-guarantees-climate-catastrophe/
