NationStates Jolt Archive

As an anarchist, I must oppose all hierarchy. I am critical of all authority. As an anarchist, I cannot be racist, for example. This sounds good, but unfortunately, there is a huge and unavoidable contradiction that is even worse since I'm an anime fan.

Japanese culture is extremely hierarchial. Even the language is superhierarchial. As an anarchist, I must condemn Japanese culture. However, that would make me racist and thus not following anarchist values. I'd be a grade A hypocrite.

As you can see, this is quite a dilemma. No serious anarchist can let Japanese culture off the hook, but no serious anarchist can be racist against the Japanese.

Race and culture are completely different things. So being against someone's culture doesn't mean you are racist against him.

Yeah, condemn the culture and beliefs thereof with the aim of trying to improve them, rather than condemning all Japanese people themselves.

I really dislike the Muslim culture, the more I learn about it, but I like to think I'm not racist against Muslims.

Race and culture are completely different things. So being against someone's culture doesn't mean you are racist against him.

Isn't being against other cultures xenophobic, though? That still goes against anarchist values.

Culture and race are different things and not necessarily related.

Um yes, thats about it.

Isn't being against other cultures xenophobic, though? That still goes against anarchist values.
Not really - xenophobia is an irrational disavowal of all things pertaining to a people (as I see it). Saying you don't like the rather unequal practices of a society isn't xenophobic, imo.

Isn't being against other cultures xenophobic, though? That still goes against anarchist values.

The way I see it, anarchism does not believe all cultures are equal. Anarchism believes that a culture of governmentlessness is superior to a society and culture which has government and hierarchy.

The thing is that people were calling me a bigot on another forum for criticizing Japanese culture.

The thing is that people were calling me a bigot on another forum for criticizing Japanese culture.
If they claim to be anarchists, then call them hypocrites if they criticize the capitalist nationalism of the United States but refuse to criticize traditional Japanese culture which is even more xenophobic, caste-ridden, and hierarchical than the US ever has been.

people quite often idealize or demonize other cultures
both are racist (or whatever word one might use that doesnt involve race)

if you really know what you are talking about and dont stereotype there is nothing wrong with critiquing another culture from an anarchist perspective

after all dont most cultures come up short when analysed from an anarchist perspective?

Culture is something you learn from your environment while race is a biological thing you were born with. Anyone of any race can learn the habits and lifestyles of a particular culture. Only a true racist will suggest that culture is a function of race. For example Nazis claim that only whites are biologically capable of being civilized and modern.

Isn't being against other cultures xenophobic, though? That still goes against anarchist values.
Looks to me like you're getting yourself into a Catch 22 here. You're an Anarchist - that carries a whole raft of cultural values, which you belive to be superior, because you're an Anarchist. So the other cultures are inferior, but you can't believe that because you're an Anarchist. Whoops! you've just tripped over Catch 22.

Alternatively, you start from a pro-cultural diversity standpoint. So, you accept that you're an Anarchist and other people can be something different and that's cool, because you're an Anarchist. But then it turns out their culture is an authoritarian one, and they want to impose it on you, but that's uncool because you're an Anarchist, and whoops! You've just gone and tripped over Catch 22 again.

Hmm ... seems to me you'd be better off accepting that political culture can be independent of race and nationhood (which is what xenophobia is all about), so you can hate the culture but love the race.

Or, hate the politics, love the politician.

But you've still gotta love that Anime. Well that's OK too, you can love historical buildings without wanting to live in one. Think of watching Anime as a trip to foreign country - they do things differently there. That's all.

Looks to me like you're getting yourself into a Catch 22 here. You're an Anarchist - that carries a whole raft of cultural values, which you belive to be superior, because you're an Anarchist. So the other cultures are inferior, but you can't believe that because you're an Anarchist. Whoops! you've just tripped over Catch 22.

Alternatively, you start from a pro-cultural diversity standpoint. So, you accept that you're an Anarchist and other people can be something different and that's cool, because you're an Anarchist. But then it turns out their culture is an authoritarian one, and they want to impose it on you, but that's uncool because you're an Anarchist, and whoops! You've just gone and tripped over Catch 22 again.

Hmm ... seems to me you'd be better off accepting that political culture can be independent of race and nationhood (which is what xenophobia is all about), so you can hate the culture but love the race.

Or, hate the politics, love the politician.

But you've still gotta love that Anime. Well that's OK too, you can love historical buildings without wanting to live in one. Think of watching Anime as a trip to foreign country - they do things differently there. That's all.

I know. It's quite a paradox.

As an anarchist, I must oppose all hierarchy. I am critical of all authority. As an anarchist, I cannot be racist, for example. This sounds good, but unfortunately, there is a huge and unavoidable contradiction that is even worse since I'm an anime fan.

Japanese culture is extremely hierarchial. Even the language is superhierarchial. As an anarchist, I must condemn Japanese culture. However, that would make me racist and thus not following anarchist values. I'd be a grade A hypocrite.

As you can see, this is quite a dilemma. No serious anarchist can let Japanese culture off the hook, but no serious anarchist can be racist against the Japanese.
you hate the culture not the people.

I hate black culture for example, but i dont hate blacks. i dont hate blacks in any way, but i hate wiggers cuz they are white people that adhere to black culture...

the same with japanese culture, you can hate the culture and still like anime.

I dont see a major contradiction. As an anarchist it is your duty to respect other people, despite their shortcomings.

I know. It's quite a paradox.
Paradoxes (sp?) are cool. Where would we be without them? Certainly not in this universe. Anyway, they're good learning opportunities. :cool:

letlia, what kind of anarchist are you?

letlia, what kind of anarchist are you?

I consider myself to be a green pacifist anarcho-communist.

the same with japanese culture, you can hate the culture and still like anime.

Isn't anime a part of Japanese culture? If I hate Japanese culture, I have to hate anime as well.

Isn't anime a part of Japanese culture? If I hate Japanese culture, I have to hate anime as well.
Well you can pick and choose from what you like and don't like... be a fan of anime, be against the government and hierarchy.

I consider myself to be a green pacifist anarcho-communist.



Isn't anime a part of Japanese culture? If I hate Japanese culture, I have to hate anime as well.
no anime is art. i can say 'man, i really dont like classical music' and that doesnt mean that i hate european culture.

no anime is art. i can say 'man, i really dont like classical music' and that doesnt mean that i hate european culture.

Isn't art a part of culture, though? Anime is imbued with cultural values that run counter to anarchism.

Isn't art a part of culture, though? Anime is imbued with cultural values that run counter to anarchism.

Being a fan of a TV show's art or being entertained by its storyline doesn't mean you endorse whatever values you perceive in them. Nothing in this world is totally perfect or completely evil. Japanese culture has its bad parts and good parts. Just embrace what you like and reject what you don't like.

Being a fan of a TV show's art or being entertained by its storyline doesn't mean you endorse whatever values you perceive in them. Nothing in this world is totally perfect or completely evil. Japanese culture has its bad parts and good parts. Just embrace what you like and reject what you don't like.
exactly. that and dude- even tho you are an anarchist doesnt mean that you have to be tied down to your ideals-- think for yourself, not just what wolff tells you.

Isn't art a part of culture, though? Anime is imbued with cultural values that run counter to anarchism.
its kinda like watching gay porn on the net
it doesnt mean you ENDORSE anything.

Race and culture are completely different things. So being against someone's culture doesn't mean you are racist against him.

Exactly.

And anime has become a culture of its own, so don't worry.

As an anarchist, I must oppose all hierarchy. I am critical of all authority. As an anarchist, I cannot be racist, for example. This sounds good, but unfortunately, there is a huge and unavoidable contradiction that is even worse since I'm an anime fan.

Japanese culture is extremely hierarchial. Even the language is superhierarchial. As an anarchist, I must condemn Japanese culture. However, that would make me racist and thus not following anarchist values. I'd be a grade A hypocrite.

As you can see, this is quite a dilemma. No serious anarchist can let Japanese culture off the hook, but no serious anarchist can be racist against the Japanese.
And then theres the fact anime is usually created by capitalist cooperations who's goal it is to make a profit.

And then theres the fact anime is usually created by capitalist cooperations who's goal it is to make a profit.
Maybe he's stealing it from the internet.

Thanks for your imput.

Maybe he's stealing it from the internet.
Irrelevant. Anime series often if not always bring out action figures for big kids and collectors. Wouldn't suprise me if Letila has a few Gundam Seed action figures. And unless he stole them from the store he supported that evil capitalist company that markets them.

So you're an anarchist. That doesn't mean you have to be a 'by the book' anarchist. Believe or practice or endorse whatever you want. Isn't being an anarchist somewhat about not falling into what people or books class you as, but thinking for yourself and doing what you think best.

You have a freewill, use it.

Irrelevant. Anime series often if not always bring out action figures for big kids and collectors. Wouldn't suprise me if Letila has a few Gundam Seed action figures. And unless he stole them from the store he supported that evil capitalist company that markets them.
these communists and anarchists believe that they have to compromise to a certain degree with today's society, but it is a necessary evil. Eating the capitalists' food and breathing the capitalists' air today and fulfilling his happiness with the capitalists' action figures means he'll be around and ready to overthrow the government or whatever later on.

these communists and anarchists believe that they have to compromise to a certain degree with today's society, but it is a necessary evil. Eating the capitalists' food and breathing the capitalists' air today and fulfilling his happiness with the capitalists' action figures means he'll be around and ready to overthrow the government or whatever later on.

Exactly. Actually, I'm not really into action figures, anyway.

I'm not really into action figures, anyway.
Riiight....

As you can see, this is quite a dilemma. No serious anarchist can let Japanese culture off the hook, but no serious anarchist can be racist against the Japanese.

WWVD - What would Vash do?
He'd just go to Japan promoting Love and Peace!

Wouldn't suprise me if Letila has a few Gundam Seed action figures.
WWKYD - What would Kira Yamato do?

And then theres the fact anime is usually created by capitalist cooperations who's goal it is to make a profit
Yes, and, no. Kidme (anime for kiddies) is created w/the sole purpose of reaping a profit. Gundam (obviously there has to be some profit involved tho) and other good animes were created mainly for the sake of philosohpical questions.

WWVD - What would Vash do?
He'd just go to Japan promoting Love and Peace!

Good point. I've always wondered why he has blond hair if it's made in Japan where there are few, if any, white people around for more than a few weeks.

Yes, and, no. Kidme (anime for kiddies) is created w/the sole purpose of reaping a profit. Gundam (obviously there has to be some profit involved tho) and other good animes were created mainly for the sake of philosohpical questions.

Not to mention Ghost in the Shell and Serial Experiments Lain.

As an anarchist, I must oppose all hierarchy. I am critical of all authority. As an anarchist, I cannot be racist, for example. This sounds good, but unfortunately, there is a huge and unavoidable contradiction that is even worse since I'm an anime fan.

Japanese culture is extremely hierarchial. Even the language is superhierarchial. As an anarchist, I must condemn Japanese culture. However, that would make me racist and thus not following anarchist values. I'd be a grade A hypocrite.

As you can see, this is quite a dilemma. No serious anarchist can let Japanese culture off the hook, but no serious anarchist can be racist against the Japanese.

Hah! Your convoluted and hypocritical views have finally caught you in a trap and you will have wake up to the reality that anarchism is really stupid and its about time you grow up and find a real political following that isnt made up of a bunch of disgruntled teens and adults who never got over their disputes with authority when they were little.

The entire movie industry is based on hierarchal control. So stop watching TV and movies if you want to stick to your beliefs.

Or you could just stop calling yourself an anarchist and start referring to yourself as an almost but not quite anarchist.

As an anarchist, I must oppose all hierarchy. I am critical of all authority. As an anarchist, I cannot be racist, for example. This sounds good, but unfortunately, there is a huge and unavoidable contradiction that is even worse since I'm an anime fan.

Japanese culture is extremely hierarchial. Even the language is superhierarchial. As an anarchist, I must condemn Japanese culture. However, that would make me racist and thus not following anarchist values. I'd be a grade A hypocrite.

As you can see, this is quite a dilemma. No serious anarchist can let Japanese culture off the hook, but no serious anarchist can be racist against the Japanese.
You're really quite dumb. You can embrace Japanese culture as an anarchist, just leave out certain things, like feality to an emperor (not that anyone still is, the emperor is like the Royal Family in Britain, only more honourable and less of a clown show). Language is langauge, it doesn't matter if it is 'heirarchial'. French is sexist and I still speak it.