Henry Giroux is one of the leading intellectuals on neoliberalism. This is the link to one of the most important interviews you will have seen in a long time! Giroux writes regularly at truthout.
Until we overcome denial, and start understanding the full reach of neoliberalism into everything, I don't believe we can make significant changes to save the planet. With all the problems to tackle in our society, I also believe a mass revolution of critical thinking among the middle class has to be the top priority for all humanist and environmental activists. The "dots" Giroux connects must be recognized by a critical mass of our fellow Americans, so we can build a mass movement for justice.
http://billmoyers.com/segment/henry-giroux-on-zombie-politics/
http://billmoyers.com/segment/henry-giroux-on-zombie-politics/
Now that Giroux has you thinking, it would be helpful to reflect back on the local gentrification, the use of civic association leaders, and the privatization of control of Clark Park. We have a public record of local neoliberalism that occurred here on the public list! You can compare our local history to the processes and effects on society, about which Giroux connects.
Remember how the bedrock principles of democracy like transparency, inclusion, verifiable information, and public rather than secret meetings; were seen as a "pathology?" How various brutal ad hominem attacks were successfully used against any dissent, while unlimited and unaccountable concentrations of power were normalized and accepted? How slogans like the FOCP, "put your money where your mouth is" commodified public participation itself, over the fate of a public square, while using a tone to communicate an openly brutal form of intimidation against pro-democracy advocates? How the overwhelming propaganda war included branding local people as criminals, using words like "prostitutes and drug dealers" to elicit anger and justify various forms of brutality and exclusion of the entire neighborhood? How censorship was called for (ucneighbors) to brutally put down dissent and put a chill on participatory speech across the neighborhood? How the new web of park permits controlled by unaccountable entities, (Clark Park Partnership) have commodified our first amendment right into a bought entitlement for the monied class? How the full extent of our loss of rights in public parks has yet to be recognized (as it has in Gezi park, Istanbul.) (1)
Why are "public spheres" such as public parks vital to the development of "formative culture." Why is a formative culture important to quality of life, community development, as well as the possibility for democracy? How is a crowd of isolated consumers different from a vibrant community gathered in the village square? How could the natural development of public spheres to fully meet the needs of the people allow us to begin to consume less of finite resources, while greatly improving the quality of life for all? Why is the root of human suffering contained in the dangerous addiction of materialism and consumerism? Why is extinction contained in the dangerous addiction of materialism and consumerism?
We should have open public discussions about many of the issues Giroux raises, and how they are impacting this shopping district. But I fear that push for censorship a few years ago worked better than we feared at the time! Its like the middle class neighbors have become like deer with their eyes caught in the lights.
Be careful there are many zombie shoppers prowling about today,
A thinking citizen
1. In Egypt, "permits" are the mechanism to declare martial law and make any right to assemble illegal. We are in the 2nd year of normalization of outrageous park use permit fees in Philadelphia, which can price any group out of public parks. After the period of normalization, the power of the private unaccountable entities, which now control every aspect of our public parks, will become clear as that power cracks its whip. During the period of normalization, some community groups are having the new permit requirements waived. But all of the public's rights in public parks can be eliminated at any time and without notice, under the new and unconstitutional doctrine of police state permits. A few people recognize this because of the permit requirement against unpermitted "feeding" that can be used against any assembly of 4 or more people with food on any Philadelphia park.
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