Radical Philosophy

In light of recent events, and in particular the corporate media’s portrayal of recent events and the use of the word ‘violence’ to describe property damage and justified anger on the part of protesters, whilst rampant police thuggery barely earns column inches I think it important to think about ‘violence’ as a concept. Consider the flyer in the previous post.

Consider also radical philosopher Roy Edgley (indeed the brain behind ‘Radical Philosophy’, the journal he started in the 1970’s that is still going strong today) and in particular his essay ‘Reason and Violence’. I’m not sure it is available online, perhaps if you search hard enough. Anyway, thanks to the stack of original 1970’s journals I recently found whilst looking through a bin (University libraries really do throw away the silliest things, thanks Kingston) I can refer to the paper copy in front of me. I quote-

‘To do nothing but argue against a situation when argument is ineffective is to do nothing about that situation; and if effective ways of changing it are open, doing nothing is to share the responsibility for maintaining the situation, and may be contrary to reason.’

Apply this to your struggle. Speak truth to power and give the lie to Rupert Murdoch and Aaron Porter alike. And if necessary embrace the labels they throw your way and wear them with pride.

Your anger is a gift remember.

The whole world is watching, Roehampton.

(r.o.a.r)

And they talk about violence…

Update & Thanks

So the occupation was succesful albeit short-lived. But take heart, this is only the beginning of a much larger battle. If you can help plan, advise, enact then get in touch.

Furthermore, love and unity to all those who have done, and are still engaging in occupations and other direct action, as well as to all the students who turned out for the demonstrations across the country.

Also many many thanks to the green and black cross team for legal info and support, and to the HR students fighting to save their course, as well a plea to all the passive roe students yet to get involved – this is your future, the future of your loved ones, and the future of your future loved ones that we are fighting for.

Dont rest on your laurels, through unity the power is ours.

Senate Meeting In Grove House Moved to Digby Chapel Due to Occupation

Important senate meeting previously scheduled to be held in Grove House has been forced to move thanks to occupation

Occupation of Grove House Underway

In solidarity with the national day of student direct action, we have occupied the roof of Grove House in Roehampton University in protest against the devastating cuts facing the higher education sector and society at large. We intend to do no physical damage to university property, nor harm employees or students in doing so. We intend to stay here until we either decide our protest has been effectively conveyed or we are forcibly removed.

 

We have taken this roof because we refuse to idly watch while we see the tory-led coalition government render higher education sector from sector, teacher from teacher. All the while recent investigations have revealed that Vodafone has seen a £6bn tax bill waived and Tory MPs have been widely involved in tax-avoidance schemes via off-shore banking systems.

 

We refuse to sit by while our universities are transformed from centers of social, academic and personal development into mines for the human mental resource. We do not see students, teachers and courses as a raw mineral ore to be extracted and profited from. The current government, under the ideologically convenient advice given by the Browne report, now sees universities more than ever not as a learning experience for in the individual, but as pistons for the wider economy.

 

The prevailing zeigeist understands education as nothing more than economic enterprise, a source of profit. That is why the arts are facing 70% to 100% cuts, because unlike maths and the sciences, they have no direct money making potential. But education cannot rest on the bottom line. In an era where our generation faces some of the biggest challenges of recent times, as climate change is allowed to continue unabated and the world’s financial svitructure seem to be constantly on the cusp of a second monumental collapse, education needs to maintain it’s culture of creative thought. Facing these challenges will include, but also go far beyond a good head for numbers. During instability, students educated in the basics of human rights will be valuable global citizens, as will those with a well rounded sense of history, for example.

 

We are not against business venture or universities and businesses collaborating, but we are against the unchecked usurption of university and college management by entrepreneurialism, and the subsequent re-prioritisation of courses and resources based on money making potential.

 

Furthermore we refuse to sit by and watch our university, amongst others, bend over and take the consequences of the cuts. We demand our university stands up to be counted among those resisting the demolition of our services, communities, and prospects.

 

Now is the time to fight! We are the artisans of our future. We must unite to craft a better Britain for all.

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