Morning Comrades and welcome back to your first of two patreon-only dispatches this week. You know the drill at this point, one newsletter a week for everyone, two for the patreons. If you can and want to, here is a link to a free two week trial to it all.
Considering yesterday’s topic I will write a little about Direct Action and John Brown today and I’ll keep the history lecture to a minimum, or rather I’ll try. Again, it is vitally important to know why history can be important in our lives today and I’ll reiterate so many past newsletters briefly. History is not a linear experience that exists to be memorized but a dialectical experience that helps us implement our material needs and demands with lessons learned in our shared histories. With that, why is the story of John Brown important and potentially relevant today?
John Brown remains relevant today for several reasons. Firstly, his unwavering commitment to the cause of ending slavery serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of fighting against injustice and standing up for what is right. His actions and beliefs continue to inspire individuals who are engaged in struggles for civil rights, social justice, and equality in various contexts.
Secondly, Brown's willingness to challenge the status quo and confront deeply entrenched systems of oppression resonates with modern-day activists and movements. His militant approach to abolitionism, while controversial at the time, reflects the urgency and determination of those who seek to dismantle systemic injustices today.
These men are all talk; What is needed is action - action!
John Brown
Moreover, John Brown's legacy prompts important discussions about the complexities of activism and the moral boundaries of resistance. His radical methods and the ethical questions they raise force us to examine the lengths to which one can and should go in the pursuit of justice, particularly in the face of grave injustices like slavery.
Lastly, Brown's story serves as a reminder of the deep-seated historical roots of racial inequality in the United States. By studying his life and the societal context in which he operated, we gain insights into the historical struggles and ongoing challenges faced by marginalized communities.
Overall, John Brown's relevance today lies in his embodiment of the enduring fight for justice, his willingness to challenge oppressive systems, and his ability to provoke critical conversations about activism, ethics, and the legacy of racial inequality.
Additionally, in regards to today’s newsletter, this isn’t going to be a philosophical discussion on Direct Action, we have already done that and you can catch up on it here.
For everyone else, Guerrilla History and RevLeft Radio have published a pretty cohesive podcast on this topic, that I definitely listened to and can recommend. Lastly, in regards to sources in writing, or background reading on one of the most famous and controversial abolitionists, I highly recommend starting with W.E.B. Du bois's "John Brown", published in 1909, and David Reynold's "John Brown, Abolitionist", published in 2005.
With that out of the way, why John Brown, why the topic of Direct Action and Why Today?
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