Non-violence??

I've been getting comments from a lot of people(not on my profile, just in general) about the names we call ourselves and how those are portrayed. The name I hear most often is: insurgent.

Just FYI: insurgent = a person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority...ie: the government.

Now usually this is in reference with trying to make it better than things were before with said government or constituted authority. Thats all well and good, etc, but not everyone is here for that reason. We want to make change, but a lot of people see rebellion as taking it a step too far. The way I see it, we want to make sure people are informed, and let them gather their own opinions and beliefs based on what's really going on instead of believing what propaganda dictates.

There are people I know who would like to become part of this, become more socially active, but when they see things that say "The New American Insurgents".....it makes them take the wrong thing away from it.

Personally, I like what Merc says about the name: technoamerican. It's a lot different, and it gives us our own identity rather than just being lumped together with rebels,...which I don't believe we are. I know fragglerocker was talking about how her town has the biggest army base in the world or something, and they weren't happy about the insurgents thing, etc....and I know where they are coming from based off of army and military officials here where I am in Denver.... Just my opinion. bash it if you'd like^^

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Permalink Reply by joshualarkin on July 22, 2008 at 12:36am

I'm going to keep this as brief as I can. First off, thank you Sunshine for seeing the main point here. They are just shirts. I never meant or expected to get the type of reaction that this has brought on. I simply wanted to do something to help a cause that is very close to me. Saving Darfur. I would rather become an active participant in trying to change the world, than simply wait for somebody to come up with an idea for me to jump in on. Thats not the type of person that I am. And as far as polarizing people with the term NAI, that is not a given. Be hypothetical til your blue in the face or you can get a reaction. Any reaction. I never expected the type of reaction I got from these, but I'm proud of myself because I got A reaction. I'm not begging and pleading for people to buy these shirts, however they are there for those who want them. Theres also quite a few designs that do have positive messages. The first shirt that was sold from the site (and not to myself) was the TOGETHER WE RISE shirt. It's ironic if you think about it, here we are bickering about what is written on a piece of cotton when there are a million other topics we could put our minds together on. Anyways, my continued thanks to the people who support the designs and in turn are making an effort to end the genocide in Darfur. You're all lovely.

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Permalink Reply by Luke B. on July 22, 2008 at 3:27am

And that's cool, I get where you're coming from. I've been thinking about just making a Stencil shirt just for myself. I'm just letting others know that there is a nationwide shirt on the way. So if I came off like a police man on a supression mission, I'm sorry.

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Permalink Reply by Amber on July 22, 2008 at 7:31am

I'm not mad at you for making the shirt josh... I promise! XD I just didn't really know what to think, lol. I just was worried a lot more people would take it the wrong way rather than not. *hugs*

and whats NIA?

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Permalink Reply by joshualarkin on July 22, 2008 at 7:39am

NIA is just a typo, Frag and I both suffer from mild activist insomnia and when we get sleepy we mix things up a bit. It's all forgiven Amber, it just turned into something bigger than it should have been. I apologize for offending anyone with the designs. It was the only way I knew how to not only bring attention to our cause, but to also help send some money to help in Darfur. In just a few days there's been quite a bit of money that has been gathered to help out. I feel that if it continues we may be able to save 1 life which would make it worth it. The money also goes to those families that fled from the carnage and are rebuilding their lives. I appreciate anyone who has bought a shirt as well as those who voice their concern over the conflict happening there...

Alright back to work!

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Permalink Reply by Kim on July 22, 2008 at 11:18pm

Though I'm fairly new to this site and have only a base-line feel for what it represents, I'm a fan of the New American Insurgents. We are, from what I can tell fighting for a change in our government... Check the url; "Fightwithtools.org" I think NIA sends the perfect message. We are a new brand of American activist. We fight with our minds, our talents, and our passions instead of automatic weapons, but we will not be ignored.

That being said, I am not comfortable at all with the idea of wearing the word "insurgent" on my chest just yet. I know this may sound contrradictory to the words above, but I'm a southern girl from a military family; doing so could tear my life apart, no matter how pure or just the meaning behind the words is. My suggestion is to come up with a nice logo and a catchy slogan to advirtise ourselves and our cause. With time, we will gain the security and numbers to make a frontal asult on the ignorance of our nation, but I don't think it's a good idea to throw around such a heavy word around so lightly until our foundations are a little steadier and our cause more reknown. So far I have seen no other users on this site within 200 miles of me, so thoughts like these may be less pressing to groups of people who aren't so isolated from the movement, but insinuating any sort of rebellion is how many innocent people end up in the hospital, jail, or worse around here.

For all of you who just want the jest of my post: My vote is for New American Insurgents. However, i think we should excercise caution in advirtising ourselves as such.

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Permalink Reply by Amber on July 23, 2008 at 4:08pm

PS: I was going to mention this earlier but I forgot. You all mentioned a big gathering for FWT.... I dunno if you remember that we are having a big national street team Conference somewhere in the end of January or beginning of february of next year. THat could count, lol. But if you guys want a big meetup to hang out and all, I'm allllll for it, lol.

And I like when people call us "The Other America" That right there is DEFINITELY a name I could go by^^

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Permalink Reply by Traveling Zach on July 24, 2008 at 1:33pm

it seems like i'm just on the tail end of this discussion, but for what its worth, heres my two cents..

#1- I LOVE 'New American Insurgents' i think its the best representation of who i am, and hopefully us. From Merrian-Websters Online, "Insurgent-1: a person who revolts against civil authority or an established government; especially : a rebel not recognized as a belligerent 2: one who acts contrary to the policies and decisions of one's own political party" in fact i don't think i could think of a better word to use..

#2- Its probably important to note here that i absolutely agree with non-violent action, and i think that we need to exhaust every peaceful means we have. However to say we are limited to that would be to ignore, not only the power we could have, but the absolute right we have. No matter what i write here nothing is as powerful as this...
"The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

#3- Even if you wanted to make the definition, "a person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority" i would still be ok with that, i am armed, and they need to know that. i am a very peaceful person, and pray that things in this country never get that bad where i would think that would be necessary. But to say that that would be a bad definition would be to ignore the advice of the great men that founded this country..."Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state."-Thomas Jefferson... Its probably also important to remember, with all we know, we know that those at the top DO NOT have the same respect for human life and decency as we do. All we have to do is look at our history, even of just the last 50-60, or even just 20 years...
"God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion.The people cannot be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented, in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions, it is lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. ...And what country can preserve its liberties, if it's rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to the facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure."-Thomas Jefferson

#4- Last point... 'technoamerican'??? Though i get where Merc was going with this, and not that its a bad idea, i personally wont ever call myself this. First, though this thing is a great tool and is becoming more and more useful, at no point does it become my identity, nor should it become OUR identity. Its is a tool, nothing more and nothing less. In fact, for the record, i feel forced to use this more than i'd really like, mostly cause it is useful. But in all reality, this can never replace good old-fashioned foot work this is gonna be won with blood, sweat and tears. Even now, its so cold, lifeless.. it doesn't respond to my passion, i can't see the need in its eyes, it isn't grateful...
Second this seems to be stemming from some need to be politically correct (i guess from the word insurgent) and i guess all i have to say is, really? really guys? do we really need that, especially here, where we're sharing our ideas, thoughts and passions? You know those people who wanna twist our meaning are gonna do it no matter what we call ourselves, mostly cause its not about that, its about the message, the movement.. they're afraid of us finding our voice.. You know how they're gonna know what NAI means? its not by the definition of the words, its not by what they think it does or should mean, its not even by what they're are told or what i tell them it means.. They will know what it means by how i live my life.. my love and compassion.. my passion and fervency.. by how i stand...