[IMC Bombay] Re: [New-imc] How to Respond to Boud?

[evan@protest.net]

SUMMARY: The questions are important but i think we maybe should move
	 forward with the imc mumbai application and address specifics
	 later.

I think that perhaps this discussion has gotten a bit off track. I believe
Boud was trying to help but perhaps he has come across as a bit
overbearing. There are basically two issues here. The first is getting
information in line for the mumbai/bombay imc to join the indymedia
network. This seems to be pretty close to being ready. The second is
thinking of ways in which this new imc might be able to extend it's
outreach and become more effective.

While this second activity is important i do not believe that we should be
holding up the starting of the imc. Let's get the ball rolling. The whole
point of the new-imc process is not to make sure every i is dotted and t
crossed. It's to make sure that in general new collectives are aware of
the history and politics of what they are getting involved in and to make
sure that these new groups generally fit within the network. As far as i
can tell nobody is suggesting that the mumbai imc is being founded by
neo-fascists (imc-russia) or baseball bat weilding anarchists
(imc-turkey).

Now in terms of addressing the issues about outreach and general
functioning of an imc. These are important topics but ones which should be
dealt with in another fourm. There has been an ongoing push to create a
best practices site / document which would bring together the experiences,
sucesses, and failures of imc's. This document can be then used to inform
and educate us as we strive to create new organizations in resistance. I'm
sure that the experience of the bolivia imc working within the aymara
indegenous communities has parallels with the mumbai imc working with the
Dalits. But this has nothing to do with the new-imc process.

I'd also like to say that i really do appricate the work Boud has done.
He's a good solid activist who's been putting a lot of work in to growing
the indymedia network. I believe his questions and suggestions are posed
for the betterment of the network and the deepening of local imc's.

in solidarity,
evan

On Sat, 27 Jul 2002, Shekhar Krishnan wrote:

> Dear Everyone:
>
> I want to respond personally, after some distress at reading the
> flurry of e-mails from Boud Roukema. Given that IndyMedia is such a
> new concept in our circles, and that Boud's voice is one of the few
> which comes from the global IMC circles and is authoritative, I am
> worried at the impression generated. I do not believe, or at least I
> had no idea, that we would be submitted to such a ruthless,
> intrusive, and unfair questioning. Boud's postings reflect to me the
> quotations of a bureaucrat inspecting our papers, silently hackling
> at our lack of knowledge of the rules, but soothing us by saying it
> will all work out.
>
> I'm never one for silencing criticism or asking penetrating
> questions. But this is ridiculous, and goes completely against the
> spirit of openness, transparency, and enthusiasm in our meetings and
> other encounters around building the IMC. Boud recommends
> decentralising, but then prescribes to us a minute-by-minute
> presentation we should make to students. He counsels sensitivity on
> caste and class issues, saying he believes our intentions but advises
> us on how to go about recruiting people on the street. I find this
> extremely condescending. Our "application" has been divided and
> annotated like the way a municipal official scrutinises a building
> plan. I feel like I'm in a Kafka novel!
>
> I want everyone on the list, both from Bombay and from other IMCs
> worldwide, to please respond and comment on what direction we should
> take in our dialogue with Boud's concerns. They are legitimate and
> rigorous, but there is a time for questioning which comes in the
> weeks and months ahead. Please everyone tell us how you feel.
>
> Best
>
>
> Shekhar
> _____
>
> Shekhar Krishnan
> 9, Supriya, 2nd Floor
> Plot 709, Parsee Colony Road No.4
> Dadar, Bombay 400014
> India
>
> _______________________________________________
> New-imc mailing list
> New-imc@lists.indymedia.org
> http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/listinfo/new-imc
>

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