A CHARITY OPERATION, TOO - Revision history

Ccarlsson: added TT photo

2025-01-09T03:53:10Z

added TT photo

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:53, 8 January 2025
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	This is supposed to be empowering. In truth, the relationship of homeless individuals to the group is parasitic. It could hardly be otherwise: for the homeless, life is a desperate scramble to stay alive. While there is nothing radicalizing about their misery, for FNB activists, identification with the plight of the homeless is a source of righteousness. But the fact is that no matter how much FNB may aspire to be "of" the homeless, the hard work is done by idealistic middle-class white kids, and whatever vow of poverty they may take, they are definitely on the giving end in their relationship to the poor.		This is supposed to be empowering. In truth, the relationship of homeless individuals to the group is parasitic. It could hardly be otherwise: for the homeless, life is a desperate scramble to stay alive. While there is nothing radicalizing about their misery, for FNB activists, identification with the plight of the homeless is a source of righteousness. But the fact is that no matter how much FNB may aspire to be "of" the homeless, the hard work is done by idealistic middle-class white kids, and whatever vow of poverty they may take, they are definitely on the giving end in their relationship to the poor.

	In publicly opposing Matrix, FNB became "champions" of the homeless; even a lot of the homeless saw them that way ("those saint-like men [sic]" as one homeless poet put it in [[39,000 Matrix Cases Dismissed!\|''Street Sheet'']]). Without intending ~~to--in~~ fact, deliberately trying not ~~to--FNB~~ replicates the same processes of manipulation and passivity as any other charity, even if in a harmless way. However laudable the intention of helping the poor, symbolic acts are usually more meaningful to the giver than the recipient. At worst, it can lull highly dedicated young people into a false sense of "doing something." It isn't really an accomplishment to attract a crowd of poor folks with give-aways; and by that measure, FNB is notoriously unreliable.		In publicly opposing Matrix, FNB became "champions" of the homeless; even a lot of the homeless saw them that way ("those saint-like men [sic]" as one homeless poet put it in [[39,000 Matrix Cases Dismissed!\|''Street Sheet'']]). Without intending to—in fact, deliberately trying not to—FNB replicates the same processes of manipulation and passivity as any other charity, even if in a harmless way. However laudable the intention of helping the poor, symbolic acts are usually more meaningful to the giver than the recipient. At worst, it can lull highly dedicated young people into a false sense of "doing something." It isn't really an accomplishment to attract a crowd of poor folks with give-aways; and by that measure, FNB is notoriously unreliable.

			[[Image:Food-Not-Bombs-serving-at-Civic-Center-September-1988-Lance-Woodruff-Tend-Times-AAT-1368.jpg]]

			'''Food Not Bombs serving free meals in the Civic Center. Their steady presence eroded support for Mayor Art Agnos due to his inability to solve the increasingly visible population of homeless in the center of the city.'''

			''Photo: © Lance Woodruff for the ''Tenderloin Times'', courtesy San Francisco History Center, SF Public Library''

Ccarlsson at 00:51, 12 June 2014

2014-06-12T00:51:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:51, 11 June 2014
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	'''Food Noot Bombs at Civic Center. No cops.'''		'''Food Noot Bombs at Civic Center. No cops.'''

	~~[[Image:Addressing-injustice.png\|right\|100px]]~~ According to FNB's spokespeople, the repression of FNB is part of the general assault on the rights of the homeless. In FNB's ideology, no difference exists between the activists and the people they serve. In truth, there is a good deal of overlap between what many oddly call the "homeless community" and the group as a whole. Many homeless people find roles in the group as mechanics, cooks, or just couch-surfers. Food Not Bombs is resolutely inclusive. But this open endedness exacts a price. The psychoses of street-life seriously hamper the organization's ability to function. Theft, sexual harassment and drug abuse are common crises; and crisis itself is FNB's normal mode. Its endless meetings are dominated by private demons; adherence to consensus not only tolerates but encourages dissolute raving in the name of democracy, exacerbating the tendency to forego tactical debate for group therapy.		According to FNB's spokespeople, the repression of FNB is part of the general assault on the rights of the homeless. In FNB's ideology, no difference exists between the activists and the people they serve. In truth, there is a good deal of overlap between what many oddly call the "homeless community" and the group as a whole. Many homeless people find roles in the group as mechanics, cooks, or just couch-surfers. Food Not Bombs is resolutely inclusive. But this open endedness exacts a price. The psychoses of street-life seriously hamper the organization's ability to function. Theft, sexual harassment and drug abuse are common crises; and crisis itself is FNB's normal mode. Its endless meetings are dominated by private demons; adherence to consensus not only tolerates but encourages dissolute raving in the name of democracy, exacerbating the tendency to forego tactical debate for group therapy.

	This is supposed to be empowering. In truth, the relationship of homeless individuals to the group is parasitic. It could hardly be otherwise: for the homeless, life is a desperate scramble to stay alive. While there is nothing radicalizing about their misery, for FNB activists, identification with the plight of the homeless is a source of righteousness. But the fact is that no matter how much FNB may aspire to be "of" the homeless, the hard work is done by idealistic middle-class white kids, and whatever vow of poverty they may take, they are definitely on the giving end in their relationship to the poor.		This is supposed to be empowering. In truth, the relationship of homeless individuals to the group is parasitic. It could hardly be otherwise: for the homeless, life is a desperate scramble to stay alive. While there is nothing radicalizing about their misery, for FNB activists, identification with the plight of the homeless is a source of righteousness. But the fact is that no matter how much FNB may aspire to be "of" the homeless, the hard work is done by idealistic middle-class white kids, and whatever vow of poverty they may take, they are definitely on the giving end in their relationship to the poor.

Ccarlsson: added addressing injustice logo

2014-06-12T00:48:16Z

added addressing injustice logo

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:48, 11 June 2014
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	'''Food Noot Bombs at Civic Center. No cops.'''		'''Food Noot Bombs at Civic Center. No cops.'''

	According to FNB's spokespeople, the repression of FNB is part of the general assault on the rights of the homeless. In FNB's ideology, no difference exists between the activists and the people they serve. In truth, there is a good deal of overlap between what many oddly call the "homeless community" and the group as a whole. Many homeless people find roles in the group as mechanics, cooks, or just couch-surfers. Food Not Bombs is resolutely inclusive. But this open endedness exacts a price. The psychoses of street-life seriously hamper the organization's ability to function. Theft, sexual harassment and drug abuse are common crises; and crisis itself is FNB's normal mode. Its endless meetings are dominated by private demons; adherence to consensus not only tolerates but encourages dissolute raving in the name of democracy, exacerbating the tendency to forego tactical debate for group therapy.		[[Image:Addressing-injustice.png\|right\|100px]] According to FNB's spokespeople, the repression of FNB is part of the general assault on the rights of the homeless. In FNB's ideology, no difference exists between the activists and the people they serve. In truth, there is a good deal of overlap between what many oddly call the "homeless community" and the group as a whole. Many homeless people find roles in the group as mechanics, cooks, or just couch-surfers. Food Not Bombs is resolutely inclusive. But this open endedness exacts a price. The psychoses of street-life seriously hamper the organization's ability to function. Theft, sexual harassment and drug abuse are common crises; and crisis itself is FNB's normal mode. Its endless meetings are dominated by private demons; adherence to consensus not only tolerates but encourages dissolute raving in the name of democracy, exacerbating the tendency to forego tactical debate for group therapy.

	This is supposed to be empowering. In truth, the relationship of homeless individuals to the group is parasitic. It could hardly be otherwise: for the homeless, life is a desperate scramble to stay alive. While there is nothing radicalizing about their misery, for FNB activists, identification with the plight of the homeless is a source of righteousness. But the fact is that no matter how much FNB may aspire to be "of" the homeless, the hard work is done by idealistic middle-class white kids, and whatever vow of poverty they may take, they are definitely on the giving end in their relationship to the poor.		This is supposed to be empowering. In truth, the relationship of homeless individuals to the group is parasitic. It could hardly be otherwise: for the homeless, life is a desperate scramble to stay alive. While there is nothing radicalizing about their misery, for FNB activists, identification with the plight of the homeless is a source of righteousness. But the fact is that no matter how much FNB may aspire to be "of" the homeless, the hard work is done by idealistic middle-class white kids, and whatever vow of poverty they may take, they are definitely on the giving end in their relationship to the poor.

Lisaruth: Protected "A CHARITY OPERATION, TOO" [edit=sysop:move=sysop]

2009-01-08T09:01:43Z

Protected "A CHARITY OPERATION, TOO" [edit=sysop:move=sysop]

← Older revision	Revision as of 02:01, 8 January 2009
(No difference)

Lisaruth: added page content type, linked to FNB loop, protected

2009-01-08T09:01:30Z

added page content type, linked to FNB loop, protected

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:01, 8 January 2009
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			'''<font face = Papyrus> <font color = maroon> <font size = 4>Historical Essay</font></font> </font>'''

			''by Geoffrey McDonald''

	[[Image:polbhem1$fnb-civic-center-2.jpg]]		[[Image:polbhem1$fnb-civic-center-2.jpg]]

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	In publicly opposing Matrix, FNB became "champions" of the homeless; even a lot of the homeless saw them that way ("those saint-like men [sic]" as one homeless poet put it in [[39,000 Matrix Cases Dismissed!\|''Street Sheet'']]). Without intending to--in fact, deliberately trying not to--FNB replicates the same processes of manipulation and passivity as any other charity, even if in a harmless way. However laudable the intention of helping the poor, symbolic acts are usually more meaningful to the giver than the recipient. At worst, it can lull highly dedicated young people into a false sense of "doing something." It isn't really an accomplishment to attract a crowd of poor folks with give-aways; and by that measure, FNB is notoriously unreliable.		In publicly opposing Matrix, FNB became "champions" of the homeless; even a lot of the homeless saw them that way ("those saint-like men [sic]" as one homeless poet put it in [[39,000 Matrix Cases Dismissed!\|''Street Sheet'']]). Without intending to--in fact, deliberately trying not to--FNB replicates the same processes of manipulation and passivity as any other charity, even if in a harmless way. However laudable the intention of helping the poor, symbolic acts are usually more meaningful to the giver than the recipient. At worst, it can lull highly dedicated young people into a false sense of "doing something." It isn't really an accomplishment to attract a crowd of poor folks with give-aways; and by that measure, FNB is notoriously unreliable.

	~~''--Geoffrey McDonald''~~

			[[FNB Activists\|More Food Not Bombs]]

	[[SURPLUSES and DISTRIBUTION \|Prev. Document]] [[Union of Concerned Commies 1979-1980, agit-prop theater and flyers \|Next Document]]		[[SURPLUSES and DISTRIBUTION \|Prev. Document]] [[Union of Concerned Commies 1979-1980, agit-prop theater and flyers \|Next Document]]

	[[category:Dissent]] [[category:food]] [[category:Civic Center]] [[category:1990s]] [[category:1980s]]		[[category:Dissent]] [[category:food]] [[category:Civic Center]] [[category:1990s]] [[category:1980s]]

Ccarlsson at 06:22, 31 August 2008

2008-08-31T06:22:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:22, 30 August 2008
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	[[Image:polbhem1$fnb-civic-center-2.jpg]]		[[Image:polbhem1$fnb-civic-center-2.jpg]]

	Food Noot Bombs at Civic Center. No cops.		'''Food Noot Bombs at Civic Center. No cops.'''

	According to FNB's spokespeople, the repression of FNB is part of the general assault on the rights of the homeless. In FNB's ideology, no difference exists between the activists and the people they serve. In truth, there is a good deal of overlap between what many oddly call the "homeless community" and the group as a whole. Many homeless people find roles in the group as mechanics, cooks, or just couch-surfers. Food Not Bombs is resolutely inclusive. But this open endedness exacts a price. The psychoses of street-life seriously hamper the ~~organizations~~ ability to function. Theft, sexual harassment and drug abuse are common crises; and crisis itself is FNB's normal mode. Its endless meetings are dominated by private demons; adherence to consensus not only tolerates but encourages dissolute raving in the name of democracy, exacerbating the tendency to forego tactical debate for group therapy.		According to FNB's spokespeople, the repression of FNB is part of the general assault on the rights of the homeless. In FNB's ideology, no difference exists between the activists and the people they serve. In truth, there is a good deal of overlap between what many oddly call the "homeless community" and the group as a whole. Many homeless people find roles in the group as mechanics, cooks, or just couch-surfers. Food Not Bombs is resolutely inclusive. But this open endedness exacts a price. The psychoses of street-life seriously hamper the organization's ability to function. Theft, sexual harassment and drug abuse are common crises; and crisis itself is FNB's normal mode. Its endless meetings are dominated by private demons; adherence to consensus not only tolerates but encourages dissolute raving in the name of democracy, exacerbating the tendency to forego tactical debate for group therapy.

	This is supposed to be empowering. In truth, the relationship of homeless individuals to the group is parasitic. It could hardly be otherwise: for the homeless, life is a desperate scramble to stay alive. While there is nothing radicalizing about their misery, for FNB activists, identification with the plight of the homeless is a source of righteousness. But the fact is that no matter how much FNB may aspire to be "of" the homeless, the hard work is done by idealistic middle-class white kids, and whatever vow of poverty they may take, they are definitely on the giving end in their relationship to the poor.		This is supposed to be empowering. In truth, the relationship of homeless individuals to the group is parasitic. It could hardly be otherwise: for the homeless, life is a desperate scramble to stay alive. While there is nothing radicalizing about their misery, for FNB activists, identification with the plight of the homeless is a source of righteousness. But the fact is that no matter how much FNB may aspire to be "of" the homeless, the hard work is done by idealistic middle-class white kids, and whatever vow of poverty they may take, they are definitely on the giving end in their relationship to the poor.

	In publicly opposing Matrix, FNB became "champions" of the homeless; even a lot of the homeless saw them that way ("those saint-like men [sic]" as one homeless poet put it in ''Street Sheet''). Without intending to-- in fact, deliberately trying not to-- FNB replicates the same processes of manipulation and passivity as any other charity, even if in a harmless way. However laudable the intention of helping the poor, symbolic acts are usually more meaningful to the giver than the recipient. At worst, it can lull highly dedicated young people into a false sense of "doing something." It isn't really an accomplishment to attract a crowd of poor folks with give-aways; and by that measure, FNB is notoriously unreliable.		In publicly opposing Matrix, FNB became "champions" of the homeless; even a lot of the homeless saw them that way ("those saint-like men [sic]" as one homeless poet put it in [[39,000 Matrix Cases Dismissed!\|''Street Sheet'']]). Without intending to--in fact, deliberately trying not to--FNB replicates the same processes of manipulation and passivity as any other charity, even if in a harmless way. However laudable the intention of helping the poor, symbolic acts are usually more meaningful to the giver than the recipient. At worst, it can lull highly dedicated young people into a false sense of "doing something." It isn't really an accomplishment to attract a crowd of poor folks with give-aways; and by that measure, FNB is notoriously unreliable.

	''--Geoffrey McDonald''		''--Geoffrey McDonald''

	~~Contributors to this page include:~~

	~~''Food Not Bombs~~ - ~~Publisher or Photographer ''~~		[[SURPLUSES and DISTRIBUTION \|Prev. Document]] [[Union of Concerned Commies 1979-1980, agit-prop theater and flyers \|Next Document]]

	~~McDonald,Geoffrey - Writer~~		[[category:Dissent]] [[category:food]] [[category:Civic Center]] [[category:1990s]] [[category:1980s]]

	[[~~SURPLUSES and DISTRIBUTION \|Prev. Document~~]] [[~~Union of Concerned Commies 1979-1980, agit-prop theater and flyers \|Next Document~~]]

Admin: 1 revision(s)

2007-10-07T22:12:14Z

1 revision(s)

← Older revision	Revision as of 15:12, 7 October 2007
(No difference)

Unknown user at 00:00, 15 January 2001

2001-01-15T00:00:00Z

New page

[[Image:polbhem1$fnb-civic-center-2.jpg]]

Food Noot Bombs at Civic Center. No cops.

According to FNB's spokespeople, the repression of FNB is part of the general assault on the rights of the homeless. In FNB's ideology, no difference exists between the activists and the people they serve. In truth, there is a good deal of overlap between what many oddly call the "homeless community" and the group as a whole. Many homeless people find roles in the group as mechanics, cooks, or just couch-surfers. Food Not Bombs is resolutely inclusive. But this open endedness exacts a price. The psychoses of street-life seriously hamper the organizations ability to function. Theft, sexual harassment and drug abuse are common crises; and crisis itself is FNB's normal mode. Its endless meetings are dominated by private demons; adherence to consensus not only tolerates but encourages dissolute raving in the name of democracy, exacerbating the tendency to forego tactical debate for group therapy.

This is supposed to be empowering. In truth, the relationship of homeless individuals to the group is parasitic. It could hardly be otherwise: for the homeless, life is a desperate scramble to stay alive. While there is nothing radicalizing about their misery, for FNB activists, identification with the plight of the homeless is a source of righteousness. But the fact is that no matter how much FNB may aspire to be "of" the homeless, the hard work is done by idealistic middle-class white kids, and whatever vow of poverty they may take, they are definitely on the giving end in their relationship to the poor.

In publicly opposing Matrix, FNB became "champions" of the homeless; even a lot of the homeless saw them that way ("those saint-like men [sic]" as one homeless poet put it in ''Street Sheet''). Without intending to-- in fact, deliberately trying not to-- FNB replicates the same processes of manipulation and passivity as any other charity, even if in a harmless way. However laudable the intention of helping the poor, symbolic acts are usually more meaningful to the giver than the recipient. At worst, it can lull highly dedicated young people into a false sense of "doing something." It isn't really an accomplishment to attract a crowd of poor folks with give-aways; and by that measure, FNB is notoriously unreliable.

''--Geoffrey McDonald''

Contributors to this page include:

''Food Not Bombs - Publisher or Photographer ''

McDonald,Geoffrey - Writer

[[SURPLUSES and DISTRIBUTION |Prev. Document]] [[Union of Concerned Commies 1979-1980, agit-prop theater and flyers |Next Document]]