“I confess: I am a radical”

by Pieter

A recent art exhibition of attempts to inform the public about the motivation of the young to get radical and protest.

The term ‘radical’ comes from the Latin word ‘radix’, meaning root. It is used as a general pejorative term for anyone who favours dramatic political reforms of the social order. Nothing to be ashamed of.

Dit artikel verscheen in de dubbeldikke Krantje Boord zomer editie.

Conservative politicians in the past as well as now try to give the word a strong negative meaning by connecting it to violence and repressive ideologies. In this way conservatives make any drastic change of the social order look like a danger to society as a whole.

In reality radicalism comes in all shapes and sizes. I view some forms of radicalism harmful myself, but I strongly object to the idea that all drastic changes with relation to the way our society is arranged can only be for the worse.

We live in a society that is fundamentally arranged on the principle that greed is good. We assume that we make the best choices when we’re competing with each other. We accept life as a game including winners and losers. From this point of view the idea of solidarity is very radical and is considered as a threat to our society. Working together to serve our own needs by serving each other’s needs is considered something bad, while exploiting each other’s needs would be considered a good thing.

I believe that this system is defended because it divides us. It makes us easy to control and enables the elite to exploit us. If we no longer want to be exploited, we should be proud to be called radicals. We should accept that the ruling classes won’t give up their power without a fight. We can’t afford to let a little name calling bring us down.