Somedays was a rotation heavyweight on my playlist during the early part of the Millenia.
I was going steady and living with an aspiring Marxist-scholar book junkie at the time—his academic jargon made my heart swoon and he was a dead ringer of my first (of many) pre-teen celebrity crushes* so you could say I was in love or falling recklessly into it.
But then again, we disagreed and argued on numerous contradictory ideological principles** so you could also say that as our seemingly flawless homelife was collapsing a little bit everyday, I was frantically pulling myself out of love in a big way everyday.
I can't really remember the details*** of those days and I admit that I didn't really follow Jacksoul after the release of Sleepless, but I do remember playing Somedays on most days—the happy and the sad, the crazy and the bad.
*Jordan Knight of NKOTB. Don't hate.
**There were a lot of books pulled from the shelves for ideologial references and solid rebuttals which ended up with a lot of books being thrown around.
***I'm lying, I remember everything, but for dramatic purposes lying is justified.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Red Love Monday: Consie Lozano and Chico Taguba
Every Monday, Dating Politics features leftie couples who're shaking the laws of lust and motion while saving societies in crisis and motion. Based on the novel by Russian Rev Alexandra Kollontai, Red Love Monday is about love on the other side and inside the class struggle.
If you and your partners are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I'll transmit the questions.
He: Chico Guerrero Belen Taguba. PR Officer 3K-Utrecht (Kaibigan, Kababayan, Kaisa-Utrecht). Spokesperson, Rice and Rights Network (Network of Filipino and Dutch organizations in solidarity with Filipino People).
Active Turf: We live outside of Utrecht, the 4th largest city in the Netherlands, in Zeist. We mainly organize the Filipino community in the province of Utrecht.
Side by side in the struggle since: We met in the Summer of 2000.
The Meeting of Two Worlds: Consie and 9 other youth went to the Netherlands after attending the “Fiesta del Mundo” conference in Belgium. They visited the NDF International Office in Utrecht. We met each other there.
The Great Leap Forward (stimulating the activist):
Chico-Discussions at home equality, democracy, oppression in the Philippines and the world and why we had to flee the Philippines opened my mind and made me critical. Going to the Philippines and experiencing the life of the masses made me commit to become an activist for the Filipino people and for other people in the world.
Consie-It all started when I joined Gabriela-Youth in 1997. From then on I became deeply involved and in 2000, I decided to do full-time organizing work among the women youth until I went here (Utrecht) in 2005.
Anthem: “Awit sa Karelasyon”, “Come What May” from Moulin Rouge.
Battle cry: “Serve the People”, “Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win.”
Why she activates his world: [She's] Organized, methodical in organizing, daring, when given a task, she'll do that task wholeheartedly and with full dedication' loving and caring.
Why he activates her world: [He's] passionate, dedicated, jovial, amorous and sweet.
What activates their world: The masses, the struggle, humble and close comrades, sacrifices of comrades, great literary masterpieces and writers and socially-oriented movies.
The Long March: To have kids and to grow old together serving the people. We envision the world to be a place for peace based on justice and democracy.
Quirks outside the picket line: Watching movies, eating out, going places with a car.
Extra rations:
Chico-Consie likes to Facebook a lot. When we fight, she does not talk to me and she sleeps on the couch covering herself fully with a blanket.
Consie-Chico can cook Adobo, spaghetti (his speciality!), Fried Lechon, Pancakes and Rice. He likes candies a lot! He can't sleep without drinking one glass of wine. It is his way of resting his mind from the stress of his work. He works in a forensic department of a psychiatric institution.
Our love is based on equality, but that doesn't mean that we both have to do the same [things]. We [inspire] each others strength.
If you and your partners are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I'll transmit the questions.
Consie Lozano and Chico Taguba
She: Consie Lozano. Member of 3K-Utrecht and treasurer of Philippine Children Foundation.
He: Chico Guerrero Belen Taguba. PR Officer 3K-Utrecht (Kaibigan, Kababayan, Kaisa-Utrecht). Spokesperson, Rice and Rights Network (Network of Filipino and Dutch organizations in solidarity with Filipino People).
Active Turf: We live outside of Utrecht, the 4th largest city in the Netherlands, in Zeist. We mainly organize the Filipino community in the province of Utrecht.
Side by side in the struggle since: We met in the Summer of 2000.
The Meeting of Two Worlds: Consie and 9 other youth went to the Netherlands after attending the “Fiesta del Mundo” conference in Belgium. They visited the NDF International Office in Utrecht. We met each other there.
The Great Leap Forward (stimulating the activist):
Chico-Discussions at home equality, democracy, oppression in the Philippines and the world and why we had to flee the Philippines opened my mind and made me critical. Going to the Philippines and experiencing the life of the masses made me commit to become an activist for the Filipino people and for other people in the world.
Consie-It all started when I joined Gabriela-Youth in 1997. From then on I became deeply involved and in 2000, I decided to do full-time organizing work among the women youth until I went here (Utrecht) in 2005.
Anthem: “Awit sa Karelasyon”, “Come What May” from Moulin Rouge.
Battle cry: “Serve the People”, “Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win.”
Why she activates his world: [She's] Organized, methodical in organizing, daring, when given a task, she'll do that task wholeheartedly and with full dedication' loving and caring.
Why he activates her world: [He's] passionate, dedicated, jovial, amorous and sweet.
What activates their world: The masses, the struggle, humble and close comrades, sacrifices of comrades, great literary masterpieces and writers and socially-oriented movies.
The Long March: To have kids and to grow old together serving the people. We envision the world to be a place for peace based on justice and democracy.
Quirks outside the picket line: Watching movies, eating out, going places with a car.
Extra rations:
Chico-Consie likes to Facebook a lot. When we fight, she does not talk to me and she sleeps on the couch covering herself fully with a blanket.
Consie-Chico can cook Adobo, spaghetti (his speciality!), Fried Lechon, Pancakes and Rice. He likes candies a lot! He can't sleep without drinking one glass of wine. It is his way of resting his mind from the stress of his work. He works in a forensic department of a psychiatric institution.
Our love is based on equality, but that doesn't mean that we both have to do the same [things]. We [inspire] each others strength.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Red Love Monday: Kathy and Mark
Every Monday, Dating Politics features leftie couples who're shaking the laws of lust and motion while saving societies in crisis and motion. Based on the novel by Russian Rev Alexandra Kollontai, Red Love Monday is about love on the other side and inside the class struggle.
If you and your partners are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I'll transmit the questions.
She: Kathy Whittam.
Currently on a quest to find out what it would take for every Canadian parent to be able to say, “I can't wait to send my my child to our community school” and whether such a thing is possible in our land of diversity. My documentary project, “Educate Me?!” will explore the big picture, political and cultural that are barriers to consensus on education issues.
With a quality education being a right for all children, why do parents have to “shop” for the best learning environment for the child to begin with? Shouldn't every school already be a quality school that students and parents can be happy with? Who should control how we educate our society, and why?
I'm taking my family on a road trip adventure next year on a search for answers, to explore the potential public education has for the future and whether any common ground can be found on how we should be educating the citizens of tomorrow.
Many of my ideas for the documentary have developed over time since I travelled around BC to work on the Charter for Public Education. I remain committed to the principles expressed within the Charter, which reflect that we heard from students, parents, teachers, trustees and other education stakeholders and community members province-wide. I was a founding member of the Charter for Public Education Network (CPEN), the organization created to keep the discussion going, and continue to be an active member of the board.
And in my spare time I help the green team for our housing co-op, and at work I am an organizer for the Britannia Green Team which is taking on a Zero Waste Challenge for the entire community centre complex.
He: Mark Whittam
CUPE 391 (Vancouver Public Library Workers)-Vice President
CUPE 391-Political Action Committee Chair
Board member of our housing co-op
As a member of the CUPE 391 Executive I fight for workers rights not only within the library but also nationally and globally. As the chair of the Political Action Committee I help to educate our members about political issues, and during elections, I help to encourage workers not only to vote but also to vote for labour friendly candidates.
As a member of our co-op Board, I help to make sure that the co-op is run in an open and accountable way, and try to make sure that we treat all the members of our community with fairness and respect.
Mission: Peace, sustainability, community development, workers rights, food security, strong local economies and quality early childhood development and public education for all children.
Active Turf: We live in Vancouver, BC, specifically in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant. At the home level we try to find ways to be involved with our housing co-op. Mark as active member of the Board, and Kathy by contributing to the newsletter, common room clean ups and green team projects. We both enjoy working in vibrant east side community centres-Britannia and Carnegie, and find ways to be involved in the workplace whenever we can.
Side by side in the struggle since: Summer of '97.
The Meeting of Two Worlds: Kathy arrived from Ontario and we ended up living in the same house together. Our relationship evolved from one of friendship to one of soul mate partnership in life.
The Great Leap Forward (stimulating the activists): When we met we were both coasting in a fairly apathetic point politically though we were both progressive types at heart. Over time we became interested in globalization and other big issues and started researching more and taking advantage of public meetings, workshops and lectures to inform and inspire ourselves into action.
The first thing we both put a lot of volunteer time into was the Think City series of events where we met folks from political and grassroots groups, and from there we both have continued to lend our energy for things that spark our passion while trying to maintain a family and life/work balance.
Kathy became drawn to things which revolved around community development, public education advocacy and fair trade, while Mark has been more focused on labour and workers rights, political organizing and food security. There is plenty of cross-over, and plenty of things that we both want to do but just don't have the time for yet.
Anthem: We have a hard time picking particular songs as we love such a wide variety of music. Our fave song usually has more to do with mood, time and place! The best we can narrow down is to is one fave group that we both really and truly totally love: Michael Franti and Spearhead!
Battle cry: Ain't no power like power of the people! “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much”--Helen Keller.
Why she activates his world: Kathy is compassionate and caring. She is courageous and committed with an incredible amount of perseverance...when Kathy sets her mind on something she works very hard to make it a reality. She is also an amazing life partner, and mother and she shows this with her love, caring and understanding...never easy with an opinionated partner and a stubborn daughter. Her passion for education and her values around social justice issues are an inspiration for me, and a fabulous role model for our daughter. Finally to top it all off, she gives the best hugs ever!
Why he activates her world: He is loving, down to earth, and the most supporting partner and aspiring positive change agent could dream of. His faith in me makes me courageous in life. When something is bothering me he always finds ways to to make me talk it out rather than internalize everything...beyond helpful and key to my mental health. Also a wonderful father, patient, kind and fun for both his son and daughter. He will raise the bar for Sasha's* expectations when choosing her own partner in life, and he is a great role model for his son on how to be a strong yet respectful young man. All around he helps me to be a happy lady and mama too.
What activates their world: The crazy number of positive change agents we know, the amazing number of alternatives that exist to systems of greed, having the capacity to help our children grow up understanding and believing that “Another World is Possible” and, in our small ways, being part of the movement that is committed to making that better world happen.
Quirks outside the picket line: Playing with Sasha and exploring our world with her. Also really like watching movies, reading books and game nights and potlucks with friends. When we have date nights then we love live music anywhere! And folk fest, family fun, beautiful collaborative artists on multiple stages, naturally stunning setting, Eco-action and hugs with some of our fave people in town=Our heaven :)
Extra rations: One love philosophy. What we have learned from one of the elders in my life who were together for over 60 years before one of them passed away: it's not about how much you quarrel as couple, it's how you communicate and grow through all the challenges you face together in life. They remain a huge inspiration to the longevity of our own relationship...though they told us it took them about 50 years before they ran out if things to argue about. ;P
One weird tidbit (at least in the eyes of many): Kathy is hot-footed and only wears shoes that cover her toes when there is snow on the ground.
*Their daughter
If you and your partners are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I'll transmit the questions.
Kathy and Mark
She: Kathy Whittam.
Currently on a quest to find out what it would take for every Canadian parent to be able to say, “I can't wait to send my my child to our community school” and whether such a thing is possible in our land of diversity. My documentary project, “Educate Me?!” will explore the big picture, political and cultural that are barriers to consensus on education issues.
With a quality education being a right for all children, why do parents have to “shop” for the best learning environment for the child to begin with? Shouldn't every school already be a quality school that students and parents can be happy with? Who should control how we educate our society, and why?
I'm taking my family on a road trip adventure next year on a search for answers, to explore the potential public education has for the future and whether any common ground can be found on how we should be educating the citizens of tomorrow.
Many of my ideas for the documentary have developed over time since I travelled around BC to work on the Charter for Public Education. I remain committed to the principles expressed within the Charter, which reflect that we heard from students, parents, teachers, trustees and other education stakeholders and community members province-wide. I was a founding member of the Charter for Public Education Network (CPEN), the organization created to keep the discussion going, and continue to be an active member of the board.
And in my spare time I help the green team for our housing co-op, and at work I am an organizer for the Britannia Green Team which is taking on a Zero Waste Challenge for the entire community centre complex.
He: Mark Whittam
CUPE 391 (Vancouver Public Library Workers)-Vice President
CUPE 391-Political Action Committee Chair
Board member of our housing co-op
As a member of the CUPE 391 Executive I fight for workers rights not only within the library but also nationally and globally. As the chair of the Political Action Committee I help to educate our members about political issues, and during elections, I help to encourage workers not only to vote but also to vote for labour friendly candidates.
As a member of our co-op Board, I help to make sure that the co-op is run in an open and accountable way, and try to make sure that we treat all the members of our community with fairness and respect.
Mission: Peace, sustainability, community development, workers rights, food security, strong local economies and quality early childhood development and public education for all children.
Active Turf: We live in Vancouver, BC, specifically in the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant. At the home level we try to find ways to be involved with our housing co-op. Mark as active member of the Board, and Kathy by contributing to the newsletter, common room clean ups and green team projects. We both enjoy working in vibrant east side community centres-Britannia and Carnegie, and find ways to be involved in the workplace whenever we can.
Side by side in the struggle since: Summer of '97.
The Meeting of Two Worlds: Kathy arrived from Ontario and we ended up living in the same house together. Our relationship evolved from one of friendship to one of soul mate partnership in life.
The Great Leap Forward (stimulating the activists): When we met we were both coasting in a fairly apathetic point politically though we were both progressive types at heart. Over time we became interested in globalization and other big issues and started researching more and taking advantage of public meetings, workshops and lectures to inform and inspire ourselves into action.
The first thing we both put a lot of volunteer time into was the Think City series of events where we met folks from political and grassroots groups, and from there we both have continued to lend our energy for things that spark our passion while trying to maintain a family and life/work balance.
Kathy became drawn to things which revolved around community development, public education advocacy and fair trade, while Mark has been more focused on labour and workers rights, political organizing and food security. There is plenty of cross-over, and plenty of things that we both want to do but just don't have the time for yet.
Anthem: We have a hard time picking particular songs as we love such a wide variety of music. Our fave song usually has more to do with mood, time and place! The best we can narrow down is to is one fave group that we both really and truly totally love: Michael Franti and Spearhead!
Battle cry: Ain't no power like power of the people! “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much”--Helen Keller.
Why she activates his world: Kathy is compassionate and caring. She is courageous and committed with an incredible amount of perseverance...when Kathy sets her mind on something she works very hard to make it a reality. She is also an amazing life partner, and mother and she shows this with her love, caring and understanding...never easy with an opinionated partner and a stubborn daughter. Her passion for education and her values around social justice issues are an inspiration for me, and a fabulous role model for our daughter. Finally to top it all off, she gives the best hugs ever!
Why he activates her world: He is loving, down to earth, and the most supporting partner and aspiring positive change agent could dream of. His faith in me makes me courageous in life. When something is bothering me he always finds ways to to make me talk it out rather than internalize everything...beyond helpful and key to my mental health. Also a wonderful father, patient, kind and fun for both his son and daughter. He will raise the bar for Sasha's* expectations when choosing her own partner in life, and he is a great role model for his son on how to be a strong yet respectful young man. All around he helps me to be a happy lady and mama too.
What activates their world: The crazy number of positive change agents we know, the amazing number of alternatives that exist to systems of greed, having the capacity to help our children grow up understanding and believing that “Another World is Possible” and, in our small ways, being part of the movement that is committed to making that better world happen.
Quirks outside the picket line: Playing with Sasha and exploring our world with her. Also really like watching movies, reading books and game nights and potlucks with friends. When we have date nights then we love live music anywhere! And folk fest, family fun, beautiful collaborative artists on multiple stages, naturally stunning setting, Eco-action and hugs with some of our fave people in town=Our heaven :)
Extra rations: One love philosophy. What we have learned from one of the elders in my life who were together for over 60 years before one of them passed away: it's not about how much you quarrel as couple, it's how you communicate and grow through all the challenges you face together in life. They remain a huge inspiration to the longevity of our own relationship...though they told us it took them about 50 years before they ran out if things to argue about. ;P
One weird tidbit (at least in the eyes of many): Kathy is hot-footed and only wears shoes that cover her toes when there is snow on the ground.
*Their daughter
Monday, October 26, 2009
Red Love Monday: Monica and Dinah
Every Monday, Dating Politics features leftie couples who’re shaking the laws of lust and motion while saving societies in crisis and motion. Based on the novel by Russian Rev Alexandra Kollontai, Red Love Monday is about love on the other side and inside the class struggle.
If you and your partner are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I’ll transmit the questions.
She: Dinah, Coordinator of the Filipino Nurses Support Group (a group that organizes Filipino nurses to practise their profession in Canada). Member of SIKLAB (an overseas migrant workers organization).
She: Monica, 1. Philippine Women Centre of B.C. (member organization of the National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada), Community Organizer, organize Filipino women and their families to address their issues as women workers of colour in Canada. 2. Grassroots Women, Community Organizer, organize working-class women to address their daily issues under imperialism with a long term perspective of achieving women’s liberation! 3. Tinig ng Masa Radio Collective, Coordinator. Bringing the People’s Views on Philippine-Canadian News to the masses.
Active Turf: Vancouver, BC, Canada and beyond.
Side by side in the struggle since: Summer of 1999.
The Meeting of Two Worlds: Through mutual friends going on a camping trip.
The Great Leap Forward (stimulating the activist):
Dinah: I was inspired by the other organizers in the Kalayaan Centre. I understood what they were calling for such as rights for workers, especially because I came here under the Live-in Caregiver Program and I witnessed all the struggles and experiences of each worker. I got inspired to do something.
Monica: I saw an ad in the SFU school newspaper asking for young Filipinos who were interested in learning about their roots. I was and have been rooted in the Filipino community in our struggle for social and economic justice ever since.
Anthem: “How Did You Know?” by Gary Valenciano
Battle cry:
Dinah: Makibaka! Huwag Matakot!* The People United Will Never Be Defeated!
Monica: Serve The People! A Woman’s Place is in the Struggle! Proud to be a Freedom Fighter!
Why she activates her world: Monica is down to earth. She is humble to everyone and dedicated to the community since 1996. She is smart, understanding, easy to talk to and is very helpful. She is also a joker between the two of us.
Why she activates her world: Dinah has a frankness that I can always appreciate. She has unlimited common sense and a worker’s attitude that I learn from every day. She also does not hesitate to challenge me to change or improve.
What activates their world: Seeing the work that can be accomplished when a group of like-minded, positive, and creative people get together to strive for social change.
The Long March: To help prepare for revolution and peace (in that order!)
*Advance the struggle! Do not fear!
If you and your partner are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I’ll transmit the questions.
Monica and Dinah
She: Dinah, Coordinator of the Filipino Nurses Support Group (a group that organizes Filipino nurses to practise their profession in Canada). Member of SIKLAB (an overseas migrant workers organization).
She: Monica, 1. Philippine Women Centre of B.C. (member organization of the National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada), Community Organizer, organize Filipino women and their families to address their issues as women workers of colour in Canada. 2. Grassroots Women, Community Organizer, organize working-class women to address their daily issues under imperialism with a long term perspective of achieving women’s liberation! 3. Tinig ng Masa Radio Collective, Coordinator. Bringing the People’s Views on Philippine-Canadian News to the masses.
Active Turf: Vancouver, BC, Canada and beyond.
Side by side in the struggle since: Summer of 1999.
The Meeting of Two Worlds: Through mutual friends going on a camping trip.
The Great Leap Forward (stimulating the activist):
Dinah: I was inspired by the other organizers in the Kalayaan Centre. I understood what they were calling for such as rights for workers, especially because I came here under the Live-in Caregiver Program and I witnessed all the struggles and experiences of each worker. I got inspired to do something.
Monica: I saw an ad in the SFU school newspaper asking for young Filipinos who were interested in learning about their roots. I was and have been rooted in the Filipino community in our struggle for social and economic justice ever since.
Anthem: “How Did You Know?” by Gary Valenciano
Battle cry:
Dinah: Makibaka! Huwag Matakot!* The People United Will Never Be Defeated!
Monica: Serve The People! A Woman’s Place is in the Struggle! Proud to be a Freedom Fighter!
Why she activates her world: Monica is down to earth. She is humble to everyone and dedicated to the community since 1996. She is smart, understanding, easy to talk to and is very helpful. She is also a joker between the two of us.
Why she activates her world: Dinah has a frankness that I can always appreciate. She has unlimited common sense and a worker’s attitude that I learn from every day. She also does not hesitate to challenge me to change or improve.
What activates their world: Seeing the work that can be accomplished when a group of like-minded, positive, and creative people get together to strive for social change.
The Long March: To help prepare for revolution and peace (in that order!)
*Advance the struggle! Do not fear!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Red Love Monday: Laarni and Murray
Every Monday, Dating Politics features leftie couples who’re shaking the laws of lust and motion while saving societies in crisis and motion. Based on the novel by Russian Rev Alexandra Kollontai, Red Love Monday is about love on the other side and inside the class struggle.
If you and your partner are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I’ll transmit the questions.
She: Laarni de los Reyes, B.C. Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines and the Philippine Women’s Centre of B.C.
He: Murray Martin, B.C. Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines
Active Turf: Vancouver, B.C.
Changing the world since: 1999
The Meeting of Two Worlds: At a BBQ, completely non political.
Anthem:
Laarni: “Kaisa Ka” (Unity of Women) by Teatrong Bayan, the cultural group we met during our exposure trip to the Philippines
Murray: “Wake Up” by Rage Against the Machine
Battle cry: The People United Will Never be Defeated!
Why she activates his world: Laarni truly cares about other people. She is very passionate when she gets connected to a cause. She has an open mind and will change her position if she thinks she is wrong. Laarni is also very curious and doesn’t presume to know it all.
Why he activates her world: Murray is thoughtful, intelligent and open-minded. I love his sense of adventure and he is always questioning traditions, rules and authority.
The Long March:
Laarni: To continue learning from each other and from people living in all parts of the world in order to build international solidarity. To resist economic injustice and inequality. And to advance the rights and welfare of marginalized Filipinos in Canada and abroad.
Murray: To keep working for a world where human needs are met and are not dependant on how much money someone has. We hope to travel more. Not in the standard vacation sense but similar to our Solidarity trip to the Philippines that allowed us to learn how organizers resistance is being carried out against tyranny and greed. Personal plans: to keep learning from each other and take life as it comes.
Quirks outside the picket line:
Laarni: Reading, traveling, hanging out with friends.
Murray: There’s life outside the picket line? Just kidding, but we like to travel, read and other standard boring things.
If you and your partner are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I’ll transmit the questions.
Laarni de los Reyes and
Murray Martin
He: Murray Martin, B.C. Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines
Active Turf: Vancouver, B.C.
Changing the world since: 1999
The Meeting of Two Worlds: At a BBQ, completely non political.
Anthem:
Laarni: “Kaisa Ka” (Unity of Women) by Teatrong Bayan, the cultural group we met during our exposure trip to the Philippines
Murray: “Wake Up” by Rage Against the Machine
Battle cry: The People United Will Never be Defeated!
Why she activates his world: Laarni truly cares about other people. She is very passionate when she gets connected to a cause. She has an open mind and will change her position if she thinks she is wrong. Laarni is also very curious and doesn’t presume to know it all.
Why he activates her world: Murray is thoughtful, intelligent and open-minded. I love his sense of adventure and he is always questioning traditions, rules and authority.
The Long March:
Laarni: To continue learning from each other and from people living in all parts of the world in order to build international solidarity. To resist economic injustice and inequality. And to advance the rights and welfare of marginalized Filipinos in Canada and abroad.
Murray: To keep working for a world where human needs are met and are not dependant on how much money someone has. We hope to travel more. Not in the standard vacation sense but similar to our Solidarity trip to the Philippines that allowed us to learn how organizers resistance is being carried out against tyranny and greed. Personal plans: to keep learning from each other and take life as it comes.
Quirks outside the picket line:
Laarni: Reading, traveling, hanging out with friends.
Murray: There’s life outside the picket line? Just kidding, but we like to travel, read and other standard boring things.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Red Love Monday: Julie and Neil
Every Monday, Dating Politics features leftie couples who're shaking the laws of lust and motion while saving societies in crisis and motion. Based on the novel by Russian Rev Alexandra Kollontai, Red Love Monday is about love on the other side and inside the class struggle.
If you and your partner are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I'll transmit the questions.
Julie Nieto and Neil Castro
She: Julie “Julay/Juls” Nieto, Secretary-General of the Philippine Women Centre of Quebec
He: Neil Castro, Secretary-General of Kabataang Montreal
Side by side in the struggle since: 2006
Active Turf: Cote-des-Neiges, Montreal, Quebec
The Meeting of Two Worlds: Met at the Ipagpatuloy: Living the Storm! First Quarter Storm Conference in 2005, in Vancouver, B.C....
Anthems:
Juls:
• Dakilang Pakikibaka* (Neil's version)
• Buhok** by Grace Nono
Juls:
• Dakilang Pakikibaka* (Neil's version)
• Buhok** by Grace Nono
• Determined to Rise by Dagamuffin
• Mabuhay Revolution by Peace Pipe
• Get Up, Stand Up by Bob Marley
...I could go on really, but I'ma stop here!
Neil:
• Imagine
• Dakilang Pakikibaka
• Imagine
• Dakilang Pakikibaka
Battle cry:
Juls:
• Chant: Makibaka! Huwag matakot!***
• Motto: A woman's place is in the struggle
• Chant: Makibaka! Huwag matakot!***
• Motto: A woman's place is in the struggle
Neil:
• Chant: Kabataan Lumalaban!****
• Motto: Serve the People
Why she activates his world: She is very creative with a big caring heart. She refuses to conform to the norm, especially when it comes to style! She is very passionate when it comes to expressing herself on behalf of the people and doesn't need a megaphone to lead chants at a rally. Sometimes I think that she and Tala*† are going to be more like sisters than mother and daughter coz of their close bond.
Why he activates her world: His commitment & passion to serve the people, I'm always inspired when I hear him speak at a conference/press con/community forum/workshop/discussion group... but even more so when it empowers the people! Neil could totally be a one man band... really... he sings, plays guitar/bass guitar/piano/percussion. Although I'm not sure if he can do that all at once. Neil is a lot of fun! Especially as a Tatay.*±
The Long March: To be the living study of a revolutionary Filipino family in Canada
Quirks outside the picket line: We love walking around Cote-des-Neiges being with the masses. We constantly download TV shows/movies. We love kicking it with Tala and teaching her things like the “Isang Bagsak!”*‡
Neil has a Tatay dance which is almost as good as the KM dance, and makes cheesy Titoˆˆ jokes... ya'll know what I'm talkin' bout!
-Juls
Juls loves to knit everything for everybody and when she's in deep concentration her head tilts and her lips curl up to her nose!
-Neil
* Great Struggle
** Hair
*** “Advance the struggle! Do not fear!”
**** “Youth Rise Up!” or “Youth Stand Up!” or “Youth Resist!”
*† Their fiercely cute daughter!
*± Father
*‡ “One Big Clap!” Executed when a group or collective has come to a point of unity
ˆˆ Uncle, from the Spanish Tio
Monday, October 5, 2009
Red Love Monday: Denise and Carlo
Every Monday, Dating Politics features leftie couples who’re shaking the laws of lust and motion while saving societies in crisis and motion. Based on the novel by Russian Rev Alexandra Kollontai, Red Love Monday is about love on the other side and inside the class struggle.
If you and your partner are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I’ll transmit the questions.
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She: Denise Valdecantos. Chairperson, The Philippine Women Centre of B.C.
He: Carlo Sayo. National Chairperson, Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance-National.
Active Turf: Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Changing the world since: April 2003
The Meeting of Two World Outlooks: Met the first time at Under the Volcano Festival in August of 2002. While attending a women’s conference in November later that year, she saw him wearing a shirt that said, “Men of Quality Respect Women’s Equality.” She left for the Philippines 2 weeks later, and they e-mailed and texted until she returned to Vancouver in April 2003.
Anthem: Toss up between Stevie Wonder’s “Sunshine of my life” and “I’ll Cover You” from Rent.
Battle cry: “Makibaka! Huwag Matakot!” **
Why she activates his world: “I am always inspired by her creativity and compassion. Most often, I find she is the first to volunteer to help someone in need. She’s also more good natured and fun than I am.”
Why he activates her world: “His hard work and commitment to serving the people. I love his creativity, thoughtfulness and watching him perform poetry.”
The Long March: A bundle of revolutionary children --who will grow up to change the world in their own way.
**Advance the struggle! Do not fear!"
If you and your partner are lefties and want your stories posted, check out the Underground Notes and let me know. I’ll transmit the questions.
Denise Valdecantos and Carlo Sayo
He: Carlo Sayo. National Chairperson, Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance-National.
Active Turf: Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Changing the world since: April 2003
The Meeting of Two World Outlooks: Met the first time at Under the Volcano Festival in August of 2002. While attending a women’s conference in November later that year, she saw him wearing a shirt that said, “Men of Quality Respect Women’s Equality.” She left for the Philippines 2 weeks later, and they e-mailed and texted until she returned to Vancouver in April 2003.
Anthem: Toss up between Stevie Wonder’s “Sunshine of my life” and “I’ll Cover You” from Rent.
Battle cry: “Makibaka! Huwag Matakot!” **
Why she activates his world: “I am always inspired by her creativity and compassion. Most often, I find she is the first to volunteer to help someone in need. She’s also more good natured and fun than I am.”
Why he activates her world: “His hard work and commitment to serving the people. I love his creativity, thoughtfulness and watching him perform poetry.”
The Long March: A bundle of revolutionary children --who will grow up to change the world in their own way.
**Advance the struggle! Do not fear!"
Friday, October 2, 2009
“Well hello. What’s your dogma?”
No activist has ever said that to me as a pick-up line. Then again, no apolitical charmer has ever asked me what my sign is either. Should that situation ever happen to any left militant, a scientific love profile based on ideology* would come in handy to determine whether or not your dogma is compatible with his/hers’ dogma.
So I made one.
The Communist
Why we love them: As Vanguards of the proletariat and champions for a classless society, Communists are all about uniting and rolling with their motley crew, the workers of the world. It’s cool; they have nothing to lose but their chains.
Make them want you: Drop the books every so often and change the world. You can always interpret it in the process.
Big Shots: Karl Marx, Che Guevara, Pablo Neruda.
The Socialist
Why we love them: Who doesn’t love them? The ultimate social butterflies, Socialists are the life of any party, organizing cooperatives while crushing capitalist structures.
Make them want you: Remember, sharing is caring. Dismantle consumer private property and push for socialized health care, childcare, education and the means of production. Society will increase its productivity and wealth, allowing the masses plenty of time for more intimate and frisky social affairs.
Big Shots: Vladimir Lenin, Albert Einstein, Rosa Luxemburg, the editors of the Monthly Review.
The Feminist
Why we love them: Independent, assertive, sassy and sexy! Aside from being fearless, trailblazing spitfires, Feminists are revolutionary strategists, aware of themselves as works-in-progress, thus taking the super-sisterhood high road along the clumsy highway to emancipation.
Make them want you: Stay in the kitchen. Be honest, to her and to yourself especially if you’re vacillating between patriarchal cowardice and struggling to be the liberated man (liberated from patriarchal cowardice that is). This isn’t just about attracting the Feminist—it’s about doing a tremendous favour to the world, to women and to yourself.
Big Shots: Alexandra Kollontai, Ninotchka Rosca, Simone de Beauvoir.
The Organic Intellectual
Why we love them: Astute in the praxis towards a more conscious society, Organic Intellectuals can easily translate Marx’s Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of the Right, but they have enough humility—and humanity—to sleep on flattened cardboard boxes with striking workers and admit they don’t know everything or anything really.
Make them want you: Eschew elitist cliques, fraternities, sororities and refuse to be a YES person for the status quo. Seek knowledge outside the cushy ivory towers of academia and learn amongst the lower rank of the class divide. Organic Intellectuals know that lower organs (socially and physically) are more exciting than upper organs.
Big Shots: Antonio Gramsci, Carlos Bulosan, Frederick Engels.
The Liberation Theologian
Why we love them: They may not be able to split the Red Sea or raise the dead, but they will die for your sins and for the people.
Make them want you: Love thy neighbour. Ditch mass and Sunday school and actually be with the masses either in the cocoa fields of Brazil or at a battered women’s shelter. Stand up against the Man as David did against Goliath and say your prayers every night (you’re excused from attending church, but God can still see you).
Big Shots: Gustavo Gutierrez, Paulo Freire, Jesus.
The Anarchist
Why we love them: As the extreme sports-nuts of left movements, Anarchists are unpredictable, adrenalized empiricists always ready for a showdown either through direct action or civil disobedience.
Make them want you: Keep up, but keep away. Enjoy the perks that come with political flings (spontaneity and individualism) but lower your red love standards. Anarchists detest systems, government, states and ideologies of any kind and believe that no person truly belongs to anyone.
Big Shots: Pierre Joseph Proudhon, Mikhail Bakunin, Emma Goldman.
*I haven’t covered all progressive doctrines, just some of the biggies.
So I made one.
The Communist
Why we love them: As Vanguards of the proletariat and champions for a classless society, Communists are all about uniting and rolling with their motley crew, the workers of the world. It’s cool; they have nothing to lose but their chains.
Make them want you: Drop the books every so often and change the world. You can always interpret it in the process.
Big Shots: Karl Marx, Che Guevara, Pablo Neruda.
The Socialist
Why we love them: Who doesn’t love them? The ultimate social butterflies, Socialists are the life of any party, organizing cooperatives while crushing capitalist structures.
Make them want you: Remember, sharing is caring. Dismantle consumer private property and push for socialized health care, childcare, education and the means of production. Society will increase its productivity and wealth, allowing the masses plenty of time for more intimate and frisky social affairs.
Big Shots: Vladimir Lenin, Albert Einstein, Rosa Luxemburg, the editors of the Monthly Review.
The Feminist
Why we love them: Independent, assertive, sassy and sexy! Aside from being fearless, trailblazing spitfires, Feminists are revolutionary strategists, aware of themselves as works-in-progress, thus taking the super-sisterhood high road along the clumsy highway to emancipation.
Make them want you: Stay in the kitchen. Be honest, to her and to yourself especially if you’re vacillating between patriarchal cowardice and struggling to be the liberated man (liberated from patriarchal cowardice that is). This isn’t just about attracting the Feminist—it’s about doing a tremendous favour to the world, to women and to yourself.
Big Shots: Alexandra Kollontai, Ninotchka Rosca, Simone de Beauvoir.
The Organic Intellectual
Why we love them: Astute in the praxis towards a more conscious society, Organic Intellectuals can easily translate Marx’s Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of the Right, but they have enough humility—and humanity—to sleep on flattened cardboard boxes with striking workers and admit they don’t know everything or anything really.
Make them want you: Eschew elitist cliques, fraternities, sororities and refuse to be a YES person for the status quo. Seek knowledge outside the cushy ivory towers of academia and learn amongst the lower rank of the class divide. Organic Intellectuals know that lower organs (socially and physically) are more exciting than upper organs.
Big Shots: Antonio Gramsci, Carlos Bulosan, Frederick Engels.
The Liberation Theologian
Why we love them: They may not be able to split the Red Sea or raise the dead, but they will die for your sins and for the people.
Make them want you: Love thy neighbour. Ditch mass and Sunday school and actually be with the masses either in the cocoa fields of Brazil or at a battered women’s shelter. Stand up against the Man as David did against Goliath and say your prayers every night (you’re excused from attending church, but God can still see you).
Big Shots: Gustavo Gutierrez, Paulo Freire, Jesus.
The Anarchist
Why we love them: As the extreme sports-nuts of left movements, Anarchists are unpredictable, adrenalized empiricists always ready for a showdown either through direct action or civil disobedience.
Make them want you: Keep up, but keep away. Enjoy the perks that come with political flings (spontaneity and individualism) but lower your red love standards. Anarchists detest systems, government, states and ideologies of any kind and believe that no person truly belongs to anyone.
Big Shots: Pierre Joseph Proudhon, Mikhail Bakunin, Emma Goldman.
*I haven’t covered all progressive doctrines, just some of the biggies.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Red Love Monday: Underground Notes
What Based on the novel by Russian Revolutionary Alexandra Kollontai, Red Love Monday is a rallying point for leftie couples from all over to propagate their love-at-first-sight-moment-at-a-hunger-strike (or wherever political action takes place), while re-affirming their commitment to bring down the Man.
Why Because activists aren’t all mercenary die-hard ideologues. Most, if not all, are romantic softies with big hearts armed with sexy quirks and quibbles. The world must take note of this.
When Mondays. Sometime in morning, Pacific Standard Time.
Who You! The lovely Political Commissars (or if you know of any lovely Political Commissar couples).
How Contact me through my blog and I’ll supply you with instruction. On the subject header, please write Red Love Monday.
A few more notes....
Red Love Monday is NOT a dating site/subsection of this blog. I see no further reason to elaborate;
I am NOT running a backroom operation or ponzi scheme of any kind;
As previously posted, I will NOT be asking what your favourite dirty martini is, what type of lingerie you wear (or not wear), or your favourite sex position. I am not interested in skanky pictures and lewd comments will not be accepted;
Since Red Love Monday is about leftie couples, both parties must be involved in leftie politics. I also have to feature both parties in the profile. It’s all about dissident couplehood.
Interested? Contact me!
Why Because activists aren’t all mercenary die-hard ideologues. Most, if not all, are romantic softies with big hearts armed with sexy quirks and quibbles. The world must take note of this.
When Mondays. Sometime in morning, Pacific Standard Time.
Who You! The lovely Political Commissars (or if you know of any lovely Political Commissar couples).
How Contact me through my blog and I’ll supply you with instruction. On the subject header, please write Red Love Monday.
A few more notes....
Red Love Monday is NOT a dating site/subsection of this blog. I see no further reason to elaborate;
I am NOT running a backroom operation or ponzi scheme of any kind;
As previously posted, I will NOT be asking what your favourite dirty martini is, what type of lingerie you wear (or not wear), or your favourite sex position. I am not interested in skanky pictures and lewd comments will not be accepted;
Since Red Love Monday is about leftie couples, both parties must be involved in leftie politics. I also have to feature both parties in the profile. It’s all about dissident couplehood.
Interested? Contact me!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Props to me, thank you Craigslist
A few days ago I posted a call out on Craigslist for political love stories and here's what some guy (or girl, the voice seems genderless) posted in the politics communities section:
re: political love - whatthef**k????
Date: 2009-09-12, 11:14AM
Char, ... you're a comedienne, right? - cuz your blog is the funniest stuff I've read in a long time. HEY LADEEEEE. you're obviously a smart broad but like uh, are you actually expecting to find a good man from all the slobs that make up the so called "activist" community??? I can see why you would think it would be a good idea for any would be suitor to bone-up (no pun intended) with a solid dissertation on the dialectal comparative dichotomy of Sex-Love (the good kind if your a man) and Class-Love (the Kathy Bates kind that's sure to resonate with all the dickless wonders on the political left). YOU GO GIRL!
(this is so far the most interesting comment, but not what I'm looking for. Sooooo, if you know of any activist couples who want their stories told send them my way!)
re: political love - whatthef**k????
Date: 2009-09-12, 11:14AM
Char, ... you're a comedienne, right? - cuz your blog is the funniest stuff I've read in a long time. HEY LADEEEEE. you're obviously a smart broad but like uh, are you actually expecting to find a good man from all the slobs that make up the so called "activist" community??? I can see why you would think it would be a good idea for any would be suitor to bone-up (no pun intended) with a solid dissertation on the dialectal comparative dichotomy of Sex-Love (the good kind if your a man) and Class-Love (the Kathy Bates kind that's sure to resonate with all the dickless wonders on the political left). YOU GO GIRL!
(this is so far the most interesting comment, but not what I'm looking for. Sooooo, if you know of any activist couples who want their stories told send them my way!)
Friday, September 11, 2009
I want your political love stories
I'm looking to profile activist couples every Monday starting October-ish. If you and your partner are, or if you know of any couples who're smashing imperalism, drop me a line and I'll send the info your way.
This is the working-class version of the "bachelor of the week" or "bachelorette of the week" WITHOUT the skanky pictures and booty-call debauchery. I will NOT be asking if you're a boxer or brief girl or what your favourite sex position is (well, maybe off the record).
This is the working-class version of the "bachelor of the week" or "bachelorette of the week" WITHOUT the skanky pictures and booty-call debauchery. I will NOT be asking if you're a boxer or brief girl or what your favourite sex position is (well, maybe off the record).
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Somethin' new!
Welcome to Dating Politics! For those following my other blog, Under Construction (subject to change), don't worry, I'm still posting (although I haven't been lately) stuff on it--I just wanted to give Dating Politics, a look at love, dating and politics its own platform. Aside from regularly posting, I'll be featuring activist couples every week.
More next time!
More next time!
Conference Etiquette
It’s a known secret among the left that conferences are the mating safaris for activists and social dissidents. Building solidarity is to militants as feathers are to peacocks. But similar world-views and the forte to chant “the people united will never be defeated” in 62 languages doesn’t necessarily produce class love. So if you’re one of the many male activists—from idealistic neophytes to veteran card-carrying comrades-- to have mobilized a dozen or more activist women to march away from your love cause, read carefully the following points—conferences are always in season!
1. Be on time. Unless to you were a) held up at the border/airport by immigration officials; b) boarding the plane this very second because you were on stand-by for a cheaper flight; or c) fulfilling conference-related tasks (shuttling delegates, photocopying, collating info packages, painting banners for the post-conference rally), there’s no excuse for being late. Tardiness reflects your priorities (or lack of), ideological strength (or weakness), respect (or disrespect) for the conference and its organizers, the majority being women. And if that doesn’t help, consider this: we’re serving the people, trying to change the world—and you’re late?
2. Don’t throw your weight around. Be the ultimate featherweight conference champ; don’t campaign your presence like a desperate GOP half-wit (especially if you were late and missed the plenary session). This rule applies to the following:
4. Zip your lip. Fidel Castro holds the record for the longest speech running at 7 hours and 10 minutes. Of all his revolutionary accomplishments, don’t emulate this one. As Chairman Mao noted: “Talks, speeches, articles and resolutions should all be concise and to the point…[and] should not go on too long.” So get off your soap-box, wipe the mic of your spit and learn to finesse your opinions. Remember, it’s all about leaving them wanting more.
1. Be on time. Unless to you were a) held up at the border/airport by immigration officials; b) boarding the plane this very second because you were on stand-by for a cheaper flight; or c) fulfilling conference-related tasks (shuttling delegates, photocopying, collating info packages, painting banners for the post-conference rally), there’s no excuse for being late. Tardiness reflects your priorities (or lack of), ideological strength (or weakness), respect (or disrespect) for the conference and its organizers, the majority being women. And if that doesn’t help, consider this: we’re serving the people, trying to change the world—and you’re late?
2. Don’t throw your weight around. Be the ultimate featherweight conference champ; don’t campaign your presence like a desperate GOP half-wit (especially if you were late and missed the plenary session). This rule applies to the following:
- Don’t boast how long you’ve been a leftie, how many meetings you’ve chaired, how many times you’ve been arrested, your longest hunger strike, how many whales you’ve saved, how much blood you’ve donated. Your actions are noble, but not original. Whatever you’ve done for humanity, a million other activists did it long before you signed your first petition. Don’t take it personally, it’s part of the left territory;
- Don’t brag about how many or what books you’ve read. This is a dead giveaway that you’ve read very little, or worse, that you’ve not understood anything you’ve read. It also assumes that you’re all theory and no practice, the latter generally more favoured with activist women who are keen on applying sex love methods in the context of class love relations;
- During solidarity night, recite ONE poem, or sing ONE song, or do ONE dance. You’ve blessed the mic; tour-jetted across the marley floor; you’re talented; we get it. Now raise your fist on behalf of international solidarity and immediately exit stage left. Short and tight performances will arouse activist women. It’s about leaving them wanting more.
4. Zip your lip. Fidel Castro holds the record for the longest speech running at 7 hours and 10 minutes. Of all his revolutionary accomplishments, don’t emulate this one. As Chairman Mao noted: “Talks, speeches, articles and resolutions should all be concise and to the point…[and] should not go on too long.” So get off your soap-box, wipe the mic of your spit and learn to finesse your opinions. Remember, it’s all about leaving them wanting more.
Sex Love vs. Class Love
Or bourgeois love vs. proletarian love. Or decadent love vs. activist love. Or idealist love vs. materialist love. Any way which way you call it, activists have their own culture, their own language, their own concept of love and how to express it. Here’s a general run-down about the love-ways of activists (class love) in comparison to society’s general attitude towards love (sex love).
Your relationship philosophy is
Sex Love: Metaphysical Hedonism, “Serve me me me me me!”
Class Love: Dialectical Materialism, “Serve the people!”
You met
Sex Love: At a party, in a club, in a bar, online.
Class Love: At a rally, at a conference, in prison, at a picket line.
Your weekends are spent
Sex Love: At a party, in a club, in a bar, at the movies.
Class Love: In meetings, at rallies, at a conference, at a hunger strike.
You resolve arguments by
Sex Love:
Her: Cutting back on shopping, gossiping, and nagging;
Him: Cutting back on sports night with buddies and being more attentive.
(This is after volatile screaming whereby one of you stormed out to “cool off”, got drunk, crawled back home with your tail between your legs and woke up miserable and shit-faced. Your other half smirked I-told-you-so all morning.)
Class Love:
Her: Reaffirming revolutionary proletarian principles and expelling petty bourgeois tendencies;
Him: Reaffirming revolutionary proletarian principles and expelling erroneous patriarchal thinking and sexist tendencies.
(This is after an intensive criticism/self-criticism process where both of you identified the internal and external contradictions of the conflict thus establishing a higher state of unity and a stronger relationship.)
At your wedding, you marched down the aisle to
Sex Love: “Bridal Chorus” by Richard Wagner.
Class Love: “The International” by workers of the world.
(Alright, words by Eugène Pottier and music by Pierre Degeyter-- but the song really does belong to the workers on the principle that workers own nothing and share everything.)
Your wedding vows consisted of
Sex Love: “To love, honour and cherish until death do us part.”
Class Love: “To love and honour you as I love and honour the people, serving them as equal comrades side by side on the long and glorious march to freedom.”
You spent your honeymoon in
Sex Love: Hawaii, Mexico, Jamaica, the South of France, at a party, in a club, in a bar, on the beach.
Class Love: The Middle East, Asia, Africa, at a Human Rights Tribunal, in a refugee camp, at an anti-imperialist gathering, in an international fact-finding mission.
You name your children
Sex Love: Emma/Sophia/Olivia; Aidan/Ethan/Jacob
(Canada’s top baby names for 2007 according to Babycentre.ca)
Class Love: Rosa (as in Luxemburg) / Clara (as in Zetkin) / Gabriela (as in Silang); Karl (as in Marx) / Salvador (as in Allende) / Andres (as in Bonifacio)
(The children upholding mom’s name as their last name, of course.)
For anniversary gifts you give
Sex Love: Silver, paper, China, jewelry
Class Love: Each other, nothing more, nothing less. Or, the latest version (or rare first edition) of the Communist Manifesto, matching political T-shirts, organic hand-woven jewelry, Pablo Neruda’s collection of political poetry.
And finally, He/She is the love of your life because
Sex Love: He/She wants to give you the world.
Class Love: He/She wants to save the world.
Your relationship philosophy is
Sex Love: Metaphysical Hedonism, “Serve me me me me me!”
Class Love: Dialectical Materialism, “Serve the people!”
You met
Sex Love: At a party, in a club, in a bar, online.
Class Love: At a rally, at a conference, in prison, at a picket line.
Your weekends are spent
Sex Love: At a party, in a club, in a bar, at the movies.
Class Love: In meetings, at rallies, at a conference, at a hunger strike.
You resolve arguments by
Sex Love:
Her: Cutting back on shopping, gossiping, and nagging;
Him: Cutting back on sports night with buddies and being more attentive.
(This is after volatile screaming whereby one of you stormed out to “cool off”, got drunk, crawled back home with your tail between your legs and woke up miserable and shit-faced. Your other half smirked I-told-you-so all morning.)
Class Love:
Her: Reaffirming revolutionary proletarian principles and expelling petty bourgeois tendencies;
Him: Reaffirming revolutionary proletarian principles and expelling erroneous patriarchal thinking and sexist tendencies.
(This is after an intensive criticism/self-criticism process where both of you identified the internal and external contradictions of the conflict thus establishing a higher state of unity and a stronger relationship.)
At your wedding, you marched down the aisle to
Sex Love: “Bridal Chorus” by Richard Wagner.
Class Love: “The International” by workers of the world.
(Alright, words by Eugène Pottier and music by Pierre Degeyter-- but the song really does belong to the workers on the principle that workers own nothing and share everything.)
Your wedding vows consisted of
Sex Love: “To love, honour and cherish until death do us part.”
Class Love: “To love and honour you as I love and honour the people, serving them as equal comrades side by side on the long and glorious march to freedom.”
You spent your honeymoon in
Sex Love: Hawaii, Mexico, Jamaica, the South of France, at a party, in a club, in a bar, on the beach.
Class Love: The Middle East, Asia, Africa, at a Human Rights Tribunal, in a refugee camp, at an anti-imperialist gathering, in an international fact-finding mission.
You name your children
Sex Love: Emma/Sophia/Olivia; Aidan/Ethan/Jacob
(Canada’s top baby names for 2007 according to Babycentre.ca)
Class Love: Rosa (as in Luxemburg) / Clara (as in Zetkin) / Gabriela (as in Silang); Karl (as in Marx) / Salvador (as in Allende) / Andres (as in Bonifacio)
(The children upholding mom’s name as their last name, of course.)
For anniversary gifts you give
Sex Love: Silver, paper, China, jewelry
Class Love: Each other, nothing more, nothing less. Or, the latest version (or rare first edition) of the Communist Manifesto, matching political T-shirts, organic hand-woven jewelry, Pablo Neruda’s collection of political poetry.
And finally, He/She is the love of your life because
Sex Love: He/She wants to give you the world.
Class Love: He/She wants to save the world.
Pt. 2
You rallied passionately for her attention, and even employed protracted guerilla war-fare tactics. But in all honesty, you charmed the fist-wielding activist woman simply by knowing that whoever authored What is to be Done? did not write Working class Hero. You succeeded one battle; on to the next one soldier because dating a political Alpha-female requires that extra effort. To maintain your morale through the long march, review the previous tips and study, analyze and practice this latest post:
1. The evening is going well. You’re executing brilliant ripostes to her sharp counterstrokes in the Beauvoir/Sartre style and have reached a mutual understanding of inflating heart rates--so why ruin it by cheaping out on the date? True, the activist woman is financially self-sufficient, but if you did all the methodic wooing, then splitting the bill (she’ll insist on paying her half anyway) or covering the entire tab are your only options. It’s not about a class thing; it’s about doing the classy thing.
2. Do not divulge your fancies of Middle-Class suburban life. This will not impress the activist woman. To her, the patriarchal nuclear family is a crusty Neolithic construct and she will laugh at you. Or vomit. Her reaction will depend entirely on her sense of humour or gag reflex, so shush about the mini-van and soccer tournaments. Please get real about this, not all women are vying to be a desperate housewife.
3. Ditto about the 2.5 kids. “Romantically” imposing on the activist woman the karmic virtues of motherhood is arrogantly presumptuous and embarrassing—for you. Yes, she believes children are the future, we have to teach them well and let them lead the way (insert chorus here), but for the activist woman, motherhood is a choice, not a “natural calling”. The activist woman does not aspire to be someone’s baby mama, does not yield to her biology and to her, Sigmund Freud is the Devil.
4. She’s liberated. Therefore, she does not practice her emancipation by liberalizing her legs like a bad economic foreign policy. She, and she alone has sole jurisdiction over her libido and knows how she wants it, when she wants it. She’s liberated. ‘Nuff said.
5. If, at the end of the night you’re just not that into her, tell her. Rejection can be a monumental ego-pulvarizer, but is not apocalyptical in comparison to the rapid glacial meltdown, African civil unrest or getting your face blown off by your BFF, like what that dick, Vice President Cheney did. She is a woman with perspective, and she will get over you.
As for you, liberate yourself. Be the modern man. Be responsible. Again, it’s all about the “are there any good men left?” thing.
1. The evening is going well. You’re executing brilliant ripostes to her sharp counterstrokes in the Beauvoir/Sartre style and have reached a mutual understanding of inflating heart rates--so why ruin it by cheaping out on the date? True, the activist woman is financially self-sufficient, but if you did all the methodic wooing, then splitting the bill (she’ll insist on paying her half anyway) or covering the entire tab are your only options. It’s not about a class thing; it’s about doing the classy thing.
2. Do not divulge your fancies of Middle-Class suburban life. This will not impress the activist woman. To her, the patriarchal nuclear family is a crusty Neolithic construct and she will laugh at you. Or vomit. Her reaction will depend entirely on her sense of humour or gag reflex, so shush about the mini-van and soccer tournaments. Please get real about this, not all women are vying to be a desperate housewife.
3. Ditto about the 2.5 kids. “Romantically” imposing on the activist woman the karmic virtues of motherhood is arrogantly presumptuous and embarrassing—for you. Yes, she believes children are the future, we have to teach them well and let them lead the way (insert chorus here), but for the activist woman, motherhood is a choice, not a “natural calling”. The activist woman does not aspire to be someone’s baby mama, does not yield to her biology and to her, Sigmund Freud is the Devil.
4. She’s liberated. Therefore, she does not practice her emancipation by liberalizing her legs like a bad economic foreign policy. She, and she alone has sole jurisdiction over her libido and knows how she wants it, when she wants it. She’s liberated. ‘Nuff said.
5. If, at the end of the night you’re just not that into her, tell her. Rejection can be a monumental ego-pulvarizer, but is not apocalyptical in comparison to the rapid glacial meltdown, African civil unrest or getting your face blown off by your BFF, like what that dick, Vice President Cheney did. She is a woman with perspective, and she will get over you.
As for you, liberate yourself. Be the modern man. Be responsible. Again, it’s all about the “are there any good men left?” thing.
Strategic War Plan
Eyeing that woman left of centre but lack the strategic war-plan to conquer the political love/lust battlefield? Trying to snag a fist-wielding sass is like trying to understand the divisions of the Canadian Senate--frustrating, but not impossible. Below are tips for the guys who can't decipher Lenin from Lennon but who rally passionately for the attention of the class-conscious activist woman:
1. She reads Bakunin and can map the architecture of the Khmer Rouge Party, but an activist woman is not a secret agent for terrorist cells or Rogue States. So no cracks about her so-called Molotov cocktail collection and stop looking for her supposed copy of the Anarchist Cookbook on her bookcase or underneath her bed. She is trying to save the world. Not blow it up.
2. The advantage of dating an activist woman is her total lack of interest in the technological advancement of fibrous hair gum and the latest texture of over-priced skinny jeans (no mall-talk or what you think of her hair!). This is of course, NOT an excuse to reject basic grooming and canning the pit stick. An activist woman frees animals, not date them.
3. Do not throw around political jargon if you are not familiar with the vernacular of the left. Assaulting her (or anyone) with heavy Marxist rhetoric and sermonizing your hate-on for the MAN who steals the fruits of your labour stinks of desperation and will guarantee a spot in her canon of worst dates ever.
4. She is a critical thinker and excels at dissecting societal follies but do not assume she is your willing audience for angry rants and groundless manifestoes (even if you are cozy with the vernacular of the left). She is your equal, not your disciple, so rid yourself of that Che Guevara-complex. Personality disillusionment is disturbing.
5. She may be able to wrangle the megaphone and lead a million-woman march; is quick with the come-backs and can dodge the paddy-wagon, but opening doors and sending flowers are turn-ons no boycott can live up to. Chivalry will make any woman blush, militant or not. It's all about the "are there any good men left?" thing.
*These may not actually work--in fact, you may end up crushed and defeated, but hey, all's (un)fair in love and politics.
1. She reads Bakunin and can map the architecture of the Khmer Rouge Party, but an activist woman is not a secret agent for terrorist cells or Rogue States. So no cracks about her so-called Molotov cocktail collection and stop looking for her supposed copy of the Anarchist Cookbook on her bookcase or underneath her bed. She is trying to save the world. Not blow it up.
2. The advantage of dating an activist woman is her total lack of interest in the technological advancement of fibrous hair gum and the latest texture of over-priced skinny jeans (no mall-talk or what you think of her hair!). This is of course, NOT an excuse to reject basic grooming and canning the pit stick. An activist woman frees animals, not date them.
3. Do not throw around political jargon if you are not familiar with the vernacular of the left. Assaulting her (or anyone) with heavy Marxist rhetoric and sermonizing your hate-on for the MAN who steals the fruits of your labour stinks of desperation and will guarantee a spot in her canon of worst dates ever.
4. She is a critical thinker and excels at dissecting societal follies but do not assume she is your willing audience for angry rants and groundless manifestoes (even if you are cozy with the vernacular of the left). She is your equal, not your disciple, so rid yourself of that Che Guevara-complex. Personality disillusionment is disturbing.
5. She may be able to wrangle the megaphone and lead a million-woman march; is quick with the come-backs and can dodge the paddy-wagon, but opening doors and sending flowers are turn-ons no boycott can live up to. Chivalry will make any woman blush, militant or not. It's all about the "are there any good men left?" thing.
*These may not actually work--in fact, you may end up crushed and defeated, but hey, all's (un)fair in love and politics.
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