Hi! I apologize in advance if this is not the place for such posts.
I have recently happened upon descriptions of anarchism and its core ideas and, to my surprise, realized that I very much agree with all that I read. I would like to figure out what can I do to at least make an attempt to change the world into this direction.
Thing is, I grew up and currently live in Ukraine. I’m not sure what can I even do when my country is in a state of war, especially considering I’d rather not stick around in public places too much (being a guy and all).
Are there any online communities for Ukrainian anarchists that anyone knows of? I would also welcome any materials you think would be useful to study for someone new to anarchists’ ideas
Thank you for reading this!
“People don’t become anarchists, they just realize they are one”
Glad to see you reach your own realization, friend. I don’t know of any particular Ukrainian anarchist comm (but feel free to start one on lemmy) but I’ve seen communiques from anarchist resistance fighters in Ukraine. I don’t have links handy but I’ll ask around for you but be aware that due to OpSec, it’s not always easy to find these people out of the blue.
As for what you can do, the basic is prefiguration. Start living your life in a way compatible with anarchism, and strive to make others join you. Not only will that improve your lives, but it will also radicalize others, without you having to “convince” them.
Thank you for warm welcome! For now I’m just glad to have realized there are many people that think many of the same things I do. I was in this weird limbo of political ideology, where none of the worldviews I was familiar with would feel right to me. Now I guess I have something I can identify with a bit
You could probably try to link up with some draft-dodging networks. That is a long honed tradition of anarchists and really as much as I think the resistance against the Russian aggression is justified, forcing people to fight, is not.
Also interesting in that context: https://north-shore.info/2024/10/04/hostages-of-the-gun-on-militancy-and-militarism/
Thank you! If I have a chance to ask the people I trust, I’ll try to find something like that.
I’d be wary of ukranian anarchist spaces if you don’t know anyone there. Some of the “anarchists” from the maidan went on to fight for Azov and OUN. Also I hope you are reasonably safe that your connection can’t be snooped on as I’d think they are looking to draft lefty people first. Stay safe!
Due to the lack of a massive organization, the first anarchist and anti-fascist volunteers went to war individually as single fighters, military medics, and volunteers. They tried to form their own squad, but due to lack of knowledge and resources, this attempt was unsuccessful. Some people even joined the Azov battalion and the OUN (Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists). The reasons were mundane: they joined the most accessible troops. Consequently, some people converted to right-wing politics.
https://crimethinc.com/2022/02/15/war-and-anarchists-anti-authoritarian-perspectives-in-ukraine
oh also, not that I have read it, but I hear “The conquest of bread” by Peter Kropotkin is almost mandatory reading for any anarchist.
Thank you for the concern and the advice!
Try to figure out what you would like/enjoy to do and try to combine it with something that you would find be helpful or useful. There are plenty of queer anarchists in ukraine, you might want to look that direction since they probably not cooperating with state. If you want reading there is https://theanarchistlibrary.org/special/index There are plenty of anarchist groups in fediverse and telegram too. Ask if something more specific is needed. Anarchist movement is very diverse
Noted, thanks!
