Parks and strikes

Well, the word 'strikes' can mean a lot of things. In bowling, for example, it means 'knocking over all pins', or in baseball, it is a miss. But here in Chile, the most frequent use of 'strike' is other. Strike has been a way to demand answers to all kind of problems. Considering that it's very rare that profound changes happen when people don't protest, I think that we must build a new sense of community and, from there, make changes in our society. In the last century, capitalism has imposed a sense of individualism that it's tearing us apart (like the Joy Division song!), making ourselves think that we are alone, that we should not talk to the person beside us in the classroom or in the park.

So, I consider that any form of demonstration that might bring changes is good. Goin' on strike it's a legitimate way to achieve profound changes here in the University and in other country institutions. But I think that strikes alone are not enough; we have to build other forms of resistance while we are on strike (or not). I have to recognize that sometimes I lost my hope and, when my faculty goes on strike, I stay at home. But I still think that sooner or later (more sooner than later, I hope) the people will get tired, and then massive changes will start to happen.

I think that small acts of resistance occur every day, and many of those are even not considered "political". Sitting in a bench, on a park, and watch the sunset while the city goes black... in those moments we are fighting against the very nature of productivity and time. We are just enjoying being here. And, in this times, that's a lot to say.