what kind of society...

what kind of society uses bulldozers to destroy a community garden? what kind of society has people that use the language and style of the oppressed to further an elitist agenda? what kind of society favors the rich individual over the poor masses? what kind of society uses race, ethnicity, and class to divide the people? what kind of society uses the courts and politicians to implement a pretend democracy that, in actuality, favors the rich and powerful at every turn?

such a society is ours, in the year of your lord, 2009. for proof, watch the garden, a fine film about a 13 acre community garden in los angeles. it demonstrates the eternal battles of race, class, and ethnic bigotry, and shows the true function of our court system and politicians. it also shows the dignity of working people and their ability to come together. finally, it speaks to another way of using the land, a way that makes clear that a cooperative, shared approach to growing food is the way to go. this approach implicitly questions the capitalist system, and is therefore, vital to our collective future. however, because it does question capitalism, it is under constant attack by the powerful. these attacks are proof that those involved with community gardening and other collective enterprises out side of the structures of capitalism, are onto something. these efforts need to be deepened, and must expand.

even if these further efforts are also bulldozed, as they surely will be.

in the attempt, there is victory.

as we suffer defeat, time and time again, we must try to remember that.