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CTRL + Z
HELLO! THANK YOU FOR PICKING UP THIS ZINE! I AM SO EXCITED THAT YOU ARE HERE...BUT FIRST LET’S COVER THE BASICS. 1. This zine was created on the unceded land of the Lenni Lenape people. A place known today as New York City...I want to acknowledge the Lenape community both past, present, and future. This acknowledgement demonstrates a commitment to beginning the process of working to dismantle the ongoing legacies of settler colonialism. 2. I (the creator) am an occupier, gentrifier, and oppressor. But my identity and actions, however intersectional, are complicit in oppressive systems. Our current society ensures this...and this infuriates me. This is a system where no one wins. 3. I and this publication stand in solidarity with movements such as Occupy Wall Street, Strike Debt, Gulf Labor Movement, Black Lives Matter, Free Palestine, NoDAPL, Anti-Gentrification, and Decolonize This Place. Additionally, it seeks to support POC, LGBT+, disabled, and immigrant folks and help create a more just and equitable society through organization and action. WITH THIS IN MIND... LET’S GO!
CTRL+ Z is the computer shortcut for “undo” followed by the symbol for the space bar. The intention behind the name is “undo space”, as referring to creating a space where people can come together and begin to “undo” the violent ideologies that have manifested through generations. This extends to undoing the control (ctrl) that is inflicted upon us on both vertical and horizontal scales. In other words, traces of the structural harms of white supremacy, settler colonialism, the heteropatriarchy, militarism, indigenous erasure, and much much more run “all the way down” in institutions of government, education, museums, communities, and even interpersonal relationships. This zine seeks to inform and inspire people to create ruptures in these invasive systems through new ways of seeing, togetherness, and organization of resistance.
Right now is a moment of extreme contradictions, “it” is both the best and worst it has ever been. This is both paralyzing and inspiring. I made this zine as a way to begin deconstructing this moment that seems so helplessly out of our hands while simultaneously always a touch away. The current business of social change seems to be filled with disappointment, but I would argue that 1. this is a fight that is too important to give up and 2. we are looking at the battle and goals with an antiquated view. We know now that movements MUST be intersectional and we need to learn to find common ground to help each other achieve wins no matter how hard they try to pit us against each other. These wins will not always be linear or look familiar but it is movement forward nonetheless. Additionally we must reject the state constructed narratives of protest that have been cast on to prior movements. Movements are not only marches, or singular speeches, or singular days. Movements are the implementing of new ideas, they are constantly changing, they are not one thing or one person, or one group. Movements are ruptures in the current temporality that let people operate and exist outside of the hegemonic ideologies. While there is so so much to do, the first thing is to break the frame of the world you were given, normalize radical empathy, REJECT THE IDEA THAT THIS IS JUST HOW THE WORLD IS, see things as they are and see things as they could be. Then take steps to make it.
THEIR EYES OF SEEING
DON’T LOOK
THROUGH WAY
AT YOURSELF A NEW
CREATE
Things will never change. History shows that social movements have made huge strides to improve society. On multiple occasions people who have bounded together for a common goal have changed things that were once considered permanent realities. Cops protect people. The military protects our country. While it is made to seem like these institutions are necessary to protect “the people”. The countless events of police brutality against people of color in the US and war crimes committed by our military both within our borders and overseas tell a different story. You must question who “the people” they actually protect are . Neutrality is productive Sometimes it seems that to not form an opinion/ educate someone about an important topic seems to be the path of least resistance and in turn the most productive. To skim over these moments of friction is to rob yourself of a way to move forward and tease out the complications of a topic. Neutrality is violence against both the self and others. You are not affected by injustice in the world. As citizens of this increasingly global world, and of the US, we are intensely affected by the pervasive ideas of settler colonialism, white supremacy, sexism, militarism, and occupation. The legacies of these harmful institutions look a little different than their predecessors but they ensure that inequality is here to stay for everyone. Not paying your debts make you a bad person. We live in a society where the majority of people must go into debt to merely survive. Shelter, food, medical care, education, and income are now all valid reasons to go into debt. Only to not get paid enough to pay off your debt and
rising interest. This forces you to work for a longer period of your life or try to find a higher paying job supporting a system that harms. Trying to survive is not immoral. Movements lose power when they do not tackle a single issue. We have seen too many movement fail while trying to change one aspect of injustice without the others. Our struggles and the ideologies that are too interconnected to address one without another. Our movements must be intersectional and they must be ambitious. Our goal should be to tell people how interconnected it all is. Art is not political. Art in all of its various forms (music, tv, music, movies, paintings, literature, etc) does not exist in a vacuum. It is deeply affected by the time, discourse, and politics of its moment. It represents and representation matters. It should be subject to critique. It should not be stripped of this meaning for profit. Democracy= Justice=Law We have been told that we live in a democracy. We have been told that democracy is justice. And we have been told that Justice is Law. And yet we don’t find ourselves represented in our government. Law protects capital and not life. The system is broken, its founding ideas were built on inequality. Decolonization, Reparations, and Repatriations are impossible. To stop the discussions and ideas that come with decolonization, reparations, and repatriations by stating that it merely isn’t possible prevents you from accessing any ideas or solutions to the problems that affect us today.
There is a culture around politics right now especially on
the left of gatekeeping and speaking that can be daunting for those who have not learned the skills for navigation of these spaces. Here are some notes!
Respect people and their right to speak Don’t interrupt, take turns. Use correct pronouns and identifiers. Step down or speak up Be aware of when and how often you contribute to the conversation. Use “I “ Statements Do not try to speak for other people, everyone should try to speak from their own experience Avoid making sweeping statements We live in a very nuanced world and things are rarely as simple as we make them out to be, especially when we are talking about lived experience. Don’t assume- except that people are speaking with the best intentions Speaking is not everyone’s strong suit. Sometimes people mess up or don’t know something. Conversations should be moments of learning. (Usually) people are speaking with good intentions and not trying to hurt you. Assume this. Correct gently but do correct Correct people! Enhance the value of the conversation by making it correct! You have to be an expert on the subject to talk about something Yes, it is important to know broadly about the systems that oppress us. But it is near to impossible to be considered an “expert” on something. What we need now is voices with agency and empathy. Learn about topics, but do not let them convince you that these issues are too complicated to have an opinion about. Recognize your role in the discussion Acknowledge your privilege! Be it race, gender, class, sexuality, ability, etc. But do not let it silence you! Talking about something you don’t feel you can talk about? You are right to back down for a minute. Listen! Ask questions! But also take action when the time is right. Be an ally, use your resources to amplify the voices of others with their input. Reach out, support. Practice new ways of looking and imagining Come to the conversation with an open mind and heart. Try to look outside traditional narratives while keeping the oppressive nature of the system in mind. Interrogate words and phrases that have become the norm. Create a space that challenges your beliefs rather than cementing them But most importantly Say Something. The only way to learn is to have a conversation and contribute. Lean into discomfort, figure new things out. These rules are not to try to prevent you from speaking but rather some guidelines for having a productive conversation that does not fall into the pitfalls of the oppressive structures we are trying to escape.
LISTEN, RELEARN, ACKNOWLEDGE, FEEL,
EDUCATE,
ABOLISH,
UNITE,
REORIENT,
BUILD,
REFUSE, IMAGINE, SUPPORT, CREATE, ORGANIZE, HEAL, inside
LIE DOWN,
EAT,
TALK, SING, THINK, DO, YELL, HOPE, CRY, RAGE, FUCK, MAKE, EXIST, HUG, WALK,
OCCUPY,
ATTEND, BOYCOTT, REMEMBER, LOVE, outside
While protests and resistance are mostly cast as occupying public spaces and getting active in politics, that’s not always everybody’s jam. Some forms of action for your consideration: -processions: pageants and parades can be upbeat or somber: music is a must -spectacles: large scale public performance, invite everyone & their mother! -ritual performances: can be deeply cultural or wild adaptations. Erect shrines, mock exorcisms, funerals, incantations, etc might get a little weird but definitely will draw attention. -media stunts: put on a show that forces media makers (everyone these days) to capture and spread your idea. This can be by creating a symbol or replica of a problem or acting out a slogan. -billboard correction: bring your paint and scratch out, cover up, or add to. Make them say it for you. -Make! posters, stickers, art, papers, social media posts! Distribute and then follow up! - Potluck dinners: invite all your friends and their food! Eat! Discuss! Learn from each other.
Here are some things to keep in mind when designing your action: -less is more: Use powerful words an metaphors. Don’t simplify your message but rather encapsulate it into a phrase/idea that will stay with people. -maintain a consistent look and feel: create a visual identity so people will begin to understand the interconnected nature of your issues. -balance art and message: art is great at digging deeper into the problem you are representing but make sure to have a message that grounds the movement and its goals. -use the power of ritual and repetition: these are human things, involve them create the idea that the problem is not going away! -involve your audience: actions that occur in public are great in that they reach people in the public who otherwise would not have been involvedtalk to them! explain what you are doing and how you mean to do it ! -strong opening and closing: make the passing of the temporal and spatial thresholds through the power of protest noticeable. -expand your venues: go new places! There are different ways of being in spaces and it is important to see the new ways you can manipulate the code of conduct for space to your advantage!
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How to Shut Down the City: Tools 1. BANNERS +POSTERS cloth, cardboard, bed sheets, hold it high, cover the world up with a new one 2. DRUMS keep a neverending beat, stomp feet, heartbeats of new life 3.HOODIES stay warm, stay revolutionary, wear proudly
4.WATER is life, is life, is life 5.LOUD VOICES yell, chant, educate, bring a megaphone or speaker for your words to become more accessible- although be wary of the strength of one voice 6. FIRE ideas are incendiary, so are cities, use with caution and conviction 7. FOOD new ideas and conversations are swallowed better over food- break bread and then break barriers
8. PAINT over, paint on, make it powerful, make it undeniable, make the new world beautiful 9. BRICKS + STONES may break bones but words will change the world 10. BAGS carry tools on your back, leave hands free to hold, raise, and create 11. SAGE for healing and cleansing, clear the air, let the city exhale , honor the spirits of those who came before you 12. TAMPONS+ PADS collect the blood, carry on with the possibilites of new beginnings
13. BANDANAS keep yourself safe, the world is a cruel one, cover up when necessary 14. BOLT CUTTERS roam freely, the city is ours, we are allowed to exist everywhere But most importantly: bring your body, your love, and your imagination
inspired by:
MOVEM E
ENTS . OM M
S ARE NOT T N
ART
RADICAL NEW WAYS OF LOOKING
ALTER TIME+SPACE #RUPTURE
Fools.doc Stop depoliticizing art for profits #IStandwithBarbra
C
A P I T A L I K I L L S
ear time n Li
colon i
construc al
a is
t
LAW IS NOT D IS A T RM
HE
PO
LI C E
NS DO N’T PRO TECT US
JUSTICE
GU
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M
Endless gratitude to everyone who has fought for the ideas stated in this zine. I hope to pay it forward and help them reach even more people. Thank you to the organizers, the artists, the people who inspire me to say, do, and make things. Thank you to those that have helped me see differently and break the frame I was given. It is a constant action but the beginning can never be forgotten. Thank you to Nicholas Mirzoeff for writing and thinking so beautifully. Thank you to Amin Husain who has and continues to work so tirelessly for change and community. This zine would not be possible without him or his teachings. Thank you to my dear friends who helped me edit and workshop ideas for this project. Thank you to the reader...I hope you find something in this that makes you feel something and I hope that feeling drives you forward. We need everyone.