| The next Queer Beograd Festival: 18th - 21st September 2008! |
|
|
| Friday, 23 May 2008 | |
 Direct action + Antifascism What does it mean to take action, to take responsibility to actively create the conditions for our own existence? How do we negotiate this with the society around us? How do we shape our own societies so that our actions form and inform the world around us? Queer Beograd is a direct action collective; our roots are in dissatisfaction with waiting for anyone else to make for us the place we need for ourselves. After the failure of the 2004 Pride in Belgrade we decided its enough of being afraid and hiding, of thinking nothing could be done. We judged our tactics to match the situation and we TOOK ACTION. Now looking around us we see change, change that have been built not by begging politicians to listen to us or to make concessions on our behalf, but by going ahead and doing what we needed anyway – refusing to be silent, refusing to be still, to be invisible. Each time we took action, each time we won against fear, we found our selves a little stronger and with our eyes and arms opened to new allies, new networks. But what is direct action? What are the ways in which we open our society and BUILD that? There is a common idea – this perception that direct action is only going to the streets, strikes, demonstrations…but we see a wider application. When ever some one takes a positive powerful action to fill a space where there is a lack, whether this is making a library or independent media, forming support groups, holding festivals, direct action is every time we create without first asking permission. If we cannot find the things we need, we make them ourselves – it is the direct activity of creating a responsible accountable society. And what about our current situation? Serbia has seen some changes in the last year, a referendum, the ‘passing‘ of the so called constitution, the fall of government, the independence of Kosovo, yet another election. All the time the political climate moves increasingly to the far right neo fascist identity. It is from this position that we place the agenda for our next festival as direct action and antifascism – because we always want to take the most concrete steps to build bridges to smash borders, to see our liberation linked with every ones. In discussing our struggles and strategies in the context of direct action and antifascism we will also tackle the problem of macho-behaviours, sexism and homophobia within antifascist/alter globalist movement. Wikipedia- Direct action is a form of political activism which seeks immediate remedy for perceived ills, as opposed to indirect actions such as electing representatives who promise to provide remedy at some later date. |
| < Prev |
|---|
