Sharing and Supporting Anarchist Ideas and Experiences

Tag: anarchist pedagogies

Smash the Class, Episode 5: Discussing the Intersections Between Pedagogy and Therapy

In the fifth episode of Smash the Class, we were joined by Renya of Come Together Counseling. They’re an anarchist in Pennsylvania who conducts practice as a therapist and often talks about how their work in therapy intersects with anarchism.

During the time that we were talking with Renya, we discussed a whole range of topics. We originally wanted to do something together because we kept noticing a lot of the overlaps between therapy  and pedagogy. As a result, much of this conversation surrounds the intersections between the two, their relationship to anarchism, and how our learning spaces need to incorporate both. We also discuss our passive acceptance of authority figures, how we can work to overcome bureaucracy and its obstacles, and how our spaces can respond to the needs of the people in them.

Two videos that were the impetus for this were Renya’s videos on Internal vs External Motivation and Embodying Anarchist Principles as a Therapist. We also referenced a piece titled “How Can We Prefigure Society When We Only Seem to React.

Hope you enjoy it!

Attention! New (de)School Event for 2023!

UPDATE: PARTICIPATION CALL EXTENDED  – 12 FEBRUARY 2023

Last year, we had a wonderful month of amazing events during the first ever School Revolt. We were genuinely really pleased with all the participation and for getting to know so many enriching educational projects.

However, we want to try something a little different this time. Instead of focusing on events (though there will be some of them!), we wanted to provide a space where people can create a range of stories told in a variety of ways for people of all ages.

In order to build the worlds that we want to see, we need to have time to explore the many different ways that it could be configured. Storytelling is one of the best ways to learn how things work while also giving us space to imagine what new realities we might create.

So for School Revolt 2023, the theme is Storytelling, Abolition, and Prefiguration. Everything this year will take place between February and April.

We invite everyone to share your stories of resistance, mutual care, radical love, community building, or any other topic you are burning to share. These stories can take many forms, including zines, books, poems, music, film, or any other medium you can think of. Together we will gather these stories and publish them for all to enjoy and learn from, with complete free access to anyone everywhere. You can take on this challenge on your own, or you can organise yourselves into collectives that share in the work. Any form of horizontal, non-hierarchical, and free form of self-organisation is highly encouraged.

There is no formal requirement to participate. Anyone is welcome regardless of academic degree, official title, expertise, geographic location, or language.

There is a zero tolerance policy for any forms of bigotry. Proposals and stories that veer too close to the possibility of being discriminatory in any form will first receive an email requesting clarification. Any projects that promote harm towards marginalised, oppressed and vulnerable communities will be rejected outright.

To apply, simply fill out the form below. Deadline for applications is 12 February 2023. People can sign up to create a story, provide a workshop to help others in their creation, or do both!

Participants are welcome to use whatever devices and any software that are needed to make their stories a reality. Should you require any kind of assistance or accommodations (including technical support or requests for workshop tutorials), you can indicate your needs in the registration form and we will do our best to make it happen.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to send us an email at anarchapednet@riseup.net or contact us through any of our social media.

We are looking forward to seeing what ideas you come up with!

Love and Solidarity,

APC

Link to registration form: https://forms.gle/83e14WzA3v1ahoor

Smash the Class, Episode 2: An APN Conversation

APN turns one this year! And in the name of celebration, we wanted to sit down and have a little reflection about how APN started and what we hope happens in the next year.

In this episode, Nicole sat down and talked with both Daniel and Sonia. There was so much that they all discussed that it’s hard to know where to start. From the inspiration and impetus to start the network, how COVID has played a part in building learning and activist communities, to the need for unlearning harmful beliefs in our own spaces in order to contribute to liberatory movements… we covered a lot of ground in what feels like a short time.

This conversation was such a delight, and it really helps to shine a light on a lot of what we try to do in the development of this digital community. We’re really excited to share it with you!

Oh, and if you’re interested in joining us or working with us, please don’t hesitate to let us know!

(Also mentioned in the episode was a fellow collective, Gata Negra. They’re also an awesome project, so go check them out!)