Manifesto for Scientific Soul
Sessions |
SSS
members are united by the drive to pre-figure a new society
free of imperialism, colonization, racism, heteropatriarchy,
and capitalist exploitation. We stand up against all forms of
social inequality, and we stand for the dignity and
self-determination of oppressed peoples. The leadership for
this movement will first and foremost be women and oppressed
nationalities. It is based on excellence and
experimentation.
Together, as
members of Scientific Soul Sessions:
1. We promote
ecosocialism: the unity of humanity with the planet's
ecosystems. As aspiring ecosocialists, we aim for existence
based on the same respect indigenous peoples have always had
for the earth and returning to producers the rightful share of
the fruits of their labor. We respect our Mother Earth as
provider of all life on this planet. We take concrete steps
to lessen our ecological footprint for the health and
well-being of all beings and future generations.
2. We are building
towards a matriarchal future, which will be the opposite of
patriarchy, not its mirror image. Matriarchy will be a
revolutionary future, in which the social construct of gender
is eliminated and humanity is re-socialized, in which the
values of caring, nurturance, creativity, compassion and
collectivity dominate.
We denounce
gynocidethe ways that capitalism and white supremacy have
attempted to break the spirit of struggle by inflicting
violence upon and de-valuing women and all we represent. Our decision-making
process emphasizes imagination, improvisation and intuition
leading the way into the new and unforeseen; perception,
wisdom, communal balance, and the art of listening and
reception, as ways to overcome brute power.
3. In all
decisions, we keep the seventh generation of our descendants
in mind (as taught by many indigenous peoples).
4. We recognize
spirituality as an essential element in the struggle for
liberation. Our name is Scientific Soul: "Scientific" because
we seek answers and solutions; "Soul" because we believe in
each self moving beyond its limits, reaching out to people,
natural creatures and to the cosmos, imagining and doing the
impossible!
5. We bring art
and politics together in provocative ways in our quest for
excellence and the impossible dream! We see anti-capitalist
analysis and anti-imperialist aesthetics as the paradigm for a
new way of being and living that is not dictated by Western
capitalist values.
6. Through
forward-thinking artistic creation and political organizing,
we realize SSS leadership principles of commitment, capacity,
and clarity.
7. Recognizing
the self-determination of oppressed nationalities and the
strength of a United Front, our leadership is principally
composed of oppressed nationalities and women. Each of us
checks our privilege and takes responsibility to change the
ways we reproduce our internalized racism and oppression.
8. We refuse to
compromise and be made mediocre by institutions such as the
NGO/Non-profit Industrial Complex. We aim to be
self-sufficient.
9. We are
intergenerational. We acknowledge the
experience and dedication of our elders. We respect the energy
and fresh visions of the young.
10. We are
internationalist. We seek to build a
united front across boundaries and divides.
11.
We are revolutionaries! We don't think
capitalism is
fixable.
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Photo by Theresa
Shoatz
Banner by Carlito
Rovira
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