From the diary of an oppressor... "Fuck a Revolution"

Though it has been a year since I came upon this poem I find myself regularly coming back to it. There are so many revolutionaries out there claiming to desire “radical change.” From street corners to coffee shops they claim to be in the struggle for justice. With their fingers pointing out they list off all the restaurants, clothing companies, and governments that are oppressing individuals around the world.

These revolutionaries are quick to critique the actions of others but slow to admit their own involvement in the oppressive system we live in. As Da’ Shade says, “No one is innocent, we all carry the burden of guilt, we oppress each other daily.” These revolutionaries stand on the soapbox of “unity,” yelling through the bullhorn of “change” only to use their words to discredit the struggles of others in an attempt to monopolize their own. As if “the struggle [was] solely theirs” they are quick to mention why they are the only true revolution. Their hypocritical actions undermine whatever truth is buried in their long, eloquent speeches.

What they do not understand is that “we are all connected by our struggle.” All our communities, from the most oppressive to the most marginalized are tied together. Injustice is a venom that poisons the hearts and minds of each individual member of a society. The debate whether its effects are most clearly seen in the environment, racial lines, gender lines, or class divisions should not distract us from working towards a cure.

As we pursue a solution we must not be mislead to believe that there is a simple answer to this complicated situation. We must read our histories honestly. We must not fall into the trap of seeking out scapegoats. Our goal should not be to punish, but to liberate. Change will not come by taking down a white oppressor only to replace them with a brown one. Change will come when we turn our ears to the song of justice and begin to create a new system that brings forth an era of liberation for all.

Why have we internalized the lie that there must always be a winner and a looser? Why do we work to elevate our movements at the expense of others? It is my belief that we have given in to the lies of the vultures. Those within and without us who wish to protect the status quo. These forces, sometimes manifesting themselves in the actions of government officials and other times in our own thoughts must be brought into the light. This is the only way that we can bring forth an honest system, a system that does not dehumanize its members.

To do this we me must analyze our actions, non-actions, rhetoric, and the situations in which we have failed to speak. There lies the most basic manifestations of oppression and it is therefore where we should begin our revolution of liberation. Stand up first to the oppressor within. Once our hearts are free we will never again take upon ourselves the shackles of the oppressor.

-Mateo