[FlyingBrickAnnouncements] Deep Green Resistance

Sat Jun 16 17:12:59 UTC 2012

welp, here is the entire correspondence. Its a little long. And contains
some transphobia on the part of DGR. Nothing too explicit though. If you're
curious about specifically their stances on trans folks, specifically
transwomen, google "Lierre Keith's transphobia".

This starts with the last thing I sent to them, so to start from the
beginning, start at the bottom:

thanks for the response, although we all whole-heartedly disagree. we're
well aware of the issues, so the condescending tone is really not needed.
if you want to exclude transpeople from your "radical feminist" analysis,
that is your choice. and its our choice to decide what we bring into our
space, and decide if us or our friends are going to hurt by it.> Dear
Nathan,>> Patriarchy is killing the planet. The masculine imperatives
that are the> inherent symptom of patriarchy must be resisted, and the
material> structures of power that embody these symptoms must be
dismantled. Not> debated, not viewed through many different lenses so
we're /sure/ we're> seeing them correctly, but systematically and
ruthlessly torn apart.> Yes, a radical feminist analysis factors
heavily in what this resistance> looks like, but we are talking about
the murder of the planet. We are> doing this tour specifically and in
no uncertain terms for this reason-> to organize a serious resistance
against the structures of power that> wield the proverbial, and often
literal, chainsaw. To make this clear:> /the planet is being
murdered/.>> I think it's probably best we just pass on all of this: a
lot of places> are enthusiastic about us coming, and honestly it
sounds like you're> more interested in setting the terms of the
discussion than addressing> the very real and painfully present threat
to all life. I wish you all> best.>> -Xander>> On 5/13/12 7:14 PM, The
Flying Brick Library wrote:>> Hey Xander,>>>> We have spent a lot of
time talking with our volunteers, supporters, and>> collective
members. We finally have an answer for you, sorry for the>> wait.>>>>
We would like to have you, because many of us are very interested in>>
environmental/anti-civ issues. But we also have friends and members
who>> are trans or genderqueer, so we are ONLY interested in having
this>> conversation be about the concepts of "womens only spaces" and
the way>> that radical feminism reinforces oppression, along with
trans issues and>> how these things relate to and play out within
anti-civ and>> environmental>> work.>>>> We think that if y'all are
willing to have this discussion, we are>> willing>> to have you, but
if this doesn't work for you, I don't think its>> appropriate that we
have y'all here. We are trying to build a very>> strong>> movement
here in Richmond, and there is a VERY large queer and trans>>
community here that we need to be respectful of.>>>> We also
understand you have contacted the Wingnut, about potentially>>
bringing your talk to their space. We just wanted to warn you that
they>> are leaning in the same direction we are, and while the final
parameters>> are up to them, we think they will be telling you
something similar,>> since>> some of their supporters and members are
trans and genderqueer as well.>>>> Let us know what you think.>>>> -
Nathan>>> Dear Nathan,>>>>>> Thanks for getting back to me. I hope
your May Day celebrations are>>> fruitful and productive!>>>>>> As for
comments and positions of Lierre and Derrick, I can understand>>> some
misunderstanding with what has been flying around on the internet.>>>
With regard to Lierre, the first point that must be understood is
that>>> none of her initial comments about trans individuals were a
public>>> stance. A private email conversation was made public without
her>>> consent>>> and it's been a shit storm ever since.>>>>>> This
notwithstanding, the position is not in relation to trans>>>
identified individuals as much as it is a radical feminist analysis
of>>> gender. This radical analysis of gender is intimately tied to
the>>> radical analysis of class, race, and environmental
degradation.>>> Oppressed groups have the right to determine their own
spaces and>>> establish the boundaries of those spaces. When an
individual's>>> presence,>>> regardless of their identity as it is
defined within progressive>>> circles, makes a member of that group
(in this case women) feel as>>> though their boundaries are not being
respected, that individual is not>>> granted access to that space. So
when a male-bodied individual demands>>> access to a space that is for
women, and defined by women, and even one>>> of those women say they
aren't comfortable with a male-bodied>>> individual>>> in that space,
we stand by those women in the maintenance of the>>> boundaries they
have set.>>>>>> Of course we agree that atrocities are committed
against trans>>> individuals, just as atrocities are committed against
every group>>> classified as "other" in a patriarchy. It's the nature
of patriarchy.>>> Those atrocities are unacceptable, horrifying,
morally reprehensible,>>> and must be resisted in all of our activist
spaces and through our>>> work.>>> But that doesn't mean that any
group has the right to ignore the>>> boundaries of another group. This
is the analysis DGR stands by, a>>> condemnation of the structures of
power and the way they perpetuate a>>> perceived entitlement by one
group to break the boundaries set by>>> another. It is not a
reflection of any one individual's perspective,>>> but>>> is tied to
the overall radical analysis we bring to the table.>>>>>> As for
Derrick's comments, I'm not sure what you are referring to with>>>
regard to classist and racist implications of his take on
population.>>> Again, the position of DGR is not a reflection of any
individual, but>>> is>>> tied to our overall analysis. Clearly, we've
overshot population,>>> clearly we cannot continue to expand
exponentially as a species without>>> exacting a fatal toll on the
planet. And of course, historically it is>>> oppressed groups that
feel the brunt of any attempt to control>>> population. This is why we
have a code of conduct, and this is why we>>> are working to build a
culture of resistance that can withstand the>>> mandates of the
dominant culture. As things start to collapse and we>>> start to see
increasing repression and the rise of fascism, it becomes>>> the
responsibility of privileged individuals to stand with oppressed>>>
groups and resist any racist agenda. Population reduction is going
to>>> happen, it's the nature of every species that overshoots its
carrying>>> capacity. It's our task as individuals and groups that
care about life,>>> all life, to stand together and ensure that it
proceeds equitably and>>> that no one group or collection of groups is
targeted as "the problem".>>>>>> It is the question of how that will
happen that is the kicker here.>>> Population is a tertiary problem at
best, behind industrial consumption>>> and the social conditions that
produces. If we dismantle the industrial>>> economy, pick capitalism
apart piece by piece and cultivate a social>>> mentality that views
life and the landbase as primary, population will>>> balance along
with social relations.>>>>>>>>> Sorry to carry on, I just want to be
clear about where we stand. I>>> think>>> we have a lot in common, and
can learn a lot from one another. Hope>>> this>>> helps.>>>>>> -
Xander>>>>>> On 5/1/12 9:44 AM, The Flying Brick Library wrote:>>>>
Hey, yeah sorry, we've all been really pre-occupied with May Day>>>>
activities here. We've talked a lot though, and basically our issue
is>>>> some of the statements that Derrick Jensen and Lierre Keith
have made.>>>> Specifically around trans people for Keith, and around
the subtly>>>> classist>>>> and racist implications of Jensen's
comments about population control>>>> and>>>> other things....We don't
feel very comfortable hosting a group that is>>>> associated with
those types of comments, but we also would like to>>>> have>>>>
dialogue around it. Can you comment on any of that?>>>>>>>> -
Nathan>>>>> Hi Nathan,>>>>>>>>>> I'm sorry for being so persistent
about this... We're just trying to>>>>> finalize our schedule as soon
as we can. I don't want to rush you>>>>> all,>>>>> just wanted to
check in and see if you've had any more discussion>>>>> about>>>>>
having us at the library. If there is anything I can help
clarify,>>>>> please let me know.>>>>>>>>>> Thank you,>>>>>>>>>>
-Xander>>>>>>>>>> On 4/24/12 3:14 PM, The Flying Brick Library
wrote:>>>>>> Hey Xander, there was a little discussion about Deep
Green>>>>>> Resistance>>>>>> as>>>>>> a>>>>>> whole. I wondered what
would be the best way to find out more about>>>>>> y'all>>>>>> before
we confirmed things? Most of us aren't totally familiar with>>>>>>
your>>>>>> work, and we wanted to be sure it was something that would
fit well>>>>>> with>>>>>> the library...>>>>>>> Hey
Nathan,>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I just wanted to follow up with you and see if
you'd had a chance>>>>>>> to>>>>>>> talk with the rest of the folks at
the library about giving us a>>>>>>> place>>>>>>> to speak sometime
from June 26th-29th (Sorry, just realized that in>>>>>>> my>>>>>>>
last email I hit 1 instead of a 2 for that second date).>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hope all is well!>>>>>>>>>>>>>> -Xander Knox>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On
4/19/12 10:33 AM, theflyingbrick at riseup.net
<https://fulvetta.riseup.net/sm/src/compose.php?send_to=theflyingbrick%40riseup.net>
wrote:>>>>>>>> Hey, this sounds great! Let me get back to you within a
couple>>>>>>>> days?>>>>>>>> I'll>>>>>>>> run it by the rest of the
library folks.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> - Nathan>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hi!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I am with a group called Deep Green Resistance,
and we are>>>>>>>>> looking>>>>>>>>> for>>>>>>>>> places to stop and
speak during a tour we're planning for late>>>>>>>>> June.>>>>>>>>>
The>>>>>>>>> dates we are looking at are between Tuesday the 26th and
Friday>>>>>>>>> the>>>>>>>>> 19th, and were wondering if a) you hosted
speakers and b) if you>>>>>>>>> had>>>>>>>>> room available on those
dates. This tour is focusing on the need>>>>>>>>> for>>>>>>>>>
coordinated, organized political resistance, what that kind of
a>>>>>>>>> movement would look like, and how we can escalate our
activism>>>>>>>>> with>>>>>>>>> that>>>>>>>>> kind of movement in
mind.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I hope you all have room!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Thank you,>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> -Xander Knox>>>>>>>>> Deep Green
Resistance>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> --> /“Protest is when I say I don’t like
this and that. Resistance is when I> see to it that things that I
don’t like no longer occur"/ -Ulrike Meinhof>

-- 
The Flying Brick Library
Richmond, VAtheflyingbrick at riseup.net
<https://fulvetta.riseup.net/sm/src/compose.php?send_to=theflyingbrick%40riseup.net>http://myspace.com/theflyingbricklibrary

On Sat, Jun 16, 2012 at 11:21 AM, Ramey Connelly <rameysaurus at gmail.com>wrote:

> Hey Flying Brickers! You are currently receiving messages in a Non-Digest
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> Nathan sent out all of the correspondence with DGR to the listserve as the
> convo was happening, but maybe he can resend it?
>
> Ramey
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jun 15, 2012, at 2:07 PM, Brianna Gribben <gribbenbc at mymail.vcu.edu>
> wrote:
>
> > Hey Flying Brickers! You are currently receiving messages in a
> Non-Digest Form. If you'd like to receive messages compacted into one
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> > I'd also like to hear more about that decision and how others feel about
> DGR's politics.
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-- 
Always with Solidarity

Nathan
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