The imbalance in modern society seems to be the driving force for every politically charged discussion happening in our media, on public transport and around the water cooler. The notion that our voices aren’t heard is hardly a novel concept, and has been the impetus for many a civil rights movement globally. However, in a society where the surveillance of individuals arguably results in targeted repercussion for those who speak up, our voices seem to be quashed into silence in order not to disturb the semi-dystopian environment we call home.
What the hell has the world come to? How can our voices be heard ringing from the rafters again, if at all?
Does it bring about change?
Direct action has been portrayed as at odds with other methods of campaigning, particularly the vilification of movements where violence or damage has resulted. The majority of western accounts of the Arab Spring uprising fail to focus on the impetus to bring about change under controlling and corrupt governments, instead choosing to highlight the disorder brought about by their actions.
Similarly, the recent Fuck Parade by Class War was (correctly) portrayed as mindless due to the highly publicised focus on the Cereal Killer Café; yet the narrative of an expanding privileged level of society responsible for the removal of diverse communities and destruction of the London rental market was markedly under-reported by more elaborate and superior media outlets such as ITN and Fox News, raising the notion that although these are the issues affecting the majority, they were purposefully excluded.
My personal position on political mindfulness and involvement sits precariously balanced between two contexts. Although privileged in upbringing which resulted in my move to London nigh on ten years ago, the difficulties faced in a city where the odds are against you to live comfortably are multi-fold and continuous. However, as a registered professional, my concerns of raising my voice to be heard are intertwined with bringing my profession into disrepute and compromising the requirement to evade any situations with legal or ethical questioning.
Additionally I admit to being persuaded by the media portrayal of activists as miscreants, who make a mess and don’t give a shit, but surely there has to be something more than change.org?
Dan Glass, a notable activist with and the organiser of AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power (ACT UP) London, has a lot to answer for. Labelled by many a politician as one of the most dangerous men in Britain, his notoriety for supergluing himself to Gordon Brown, or organising a protest in memory of World Aids Day at Nigel Farage’s local has resulted in praise and lambaste by media worldwide.
Dan’s reformation of ACT UP London in 2013 was fuelled by experiencing austerity and cuts to HIV services, problematic in receiving the support he needed for his own diagnosis. Indeed, Dan describes his passion to work on the current HIV epidemic since the disease predominantly affects minorities worldwide, leaving white cis-male heterosexual men free from its clutches and unconcerned with improving the futures of those at risk.
Historically, ACT UP, founded in New York in the 80s, was an advocacy and campaign group set up to bring about changes in legislation and drug availability for victims of the AIDS epidemic gripping the US. The 2012 film How to Survive a Plague unapologetically documents multiple aspects of the group, including achievements such as campaigning to fast-track approval of AZT for market use, and also divisive action and mistakes made which led to the formation of splinter groups in the movement.
The reborn ACT UP London aims to replant HIV into political conversation and challenge the barriers contributing to silence on the topic at large. Research and development has markedly improved outcomes for affected individuals, however the work is not complete. Glass quite rightly insists that the choices in cuts of our elected leaders will have profound negative effect on generations to come, therefore creative, grassroots direct action is ultimately the method to bring this to the fore.
Undoubtedly, direct actions and civil disobedience of protesters can breed contempt and disparity, but historically they succeed in highlighting social injustice. As a second coming of the HIV campaign, ACT UP relies on direct action to speak for those who are silenced, whilst drawing on the knowledge and experience of a variety of members who contribute to the cause.
Inspired by previous actions of ACT UP and in order to reinvigorate a new movement, United In Anger aims to highlight the cause as a driving force for change to social injustice on a national level, reignite the HIV movement in the minds of politicians and the public alike, and empower new members to join the battle in breaking the second silence. Similarly to How to Survive a Plague, the more questionable actions of the group are documented to give a fair view of the divisive nature of direct action, however, the screening held last Wednesday at KuKlub ultimately achieved the aims laid out by producers Jim Hubbard and Sarah Schulman; to get people talking again about this aspect of history often overlooked by the mainstream.
So after the screening, talking to the organisers and members, and generally gaining a first-hand insight into the processes which drive direct action, what can I offer as a take away message?
I stand by my belief that direct action is not for everybody, and quite rightly so. Yes, once messages are distilled from the persuasive narrative of media with vested interests, there is no doubt that each journey to discovering the power of your voice is personal. Who can ignore the plight of suffragettes and suffragists, at odds in the methods employed by bring about change, and yet sharers of the recognition so deserved in gaining rights for women.
Following this, I believe action should follow the path you deem most suited to your skills and limits, and can be awarded equal respect from peers. No longer do all people have the freedom to speak up and fight, but we have to chance to donate, to hold meetings, to provide spaces and environments for discussion, to research and provide recommendations, and to generally share the issues affecting us in different aspects of life. These actions are equally as important and worthy of promotion by interest groups.
Particularly for queer minorities, the HIV epidemic is of utmost significance. A disease directly affecting all of us in how we engage with each other and with the rest of the world. With organisations such as ACT UP, there is comfort in knowing of the options to raise your voice, or not. Witnessing the actions of this group in particular affirmed my belief that your cause and acting on what you believe in is arguably a right of passage reached independently, but can be so much more fun when done together.
For more information, follow ACT UP London on Facebook.
A second screening of United in Anger will be taking place on 13th November at the Soho Theatre.
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