What does Victory Look Like?

By: M.R. Framboise

 

A question often asked in bad faith — “What does it look like?” The “it” in question can be any number of things whether it be anti-racism, socialism, feminism, or any other sort of progressive current. The general frustration being that it is difficult to conceive of a future — of a system — other than the unfortunate one under which we are currently living. The iron jaw of Capital that crushes without care is but a fact of life; it is simply the way that human order is constructed. The question remains, “What does winning look like?”

Winning looks not like a pile of lawless burning flame, nor a utopic dream society. Winning is the wolf pup on the old Turtle Island meadow running because he can. Winning is the mother feeding her children after a day of difficult, yet rewarding and societally contributive work. Winning is the love we show to our comrades; winning, too, is the assurance that every man, woman, and child is a person with equal rights and dignities. It is the home for the homeless, the food for the hungry, and it is the treatment for the drunk.

We ensure this victory through a people's state. Daring to fight the established powers that believe in only our extractable value, we dare to win a better present for those who live alongside us and a better tomorrow for those who may come after us. We don't resign ourselves to the idea that there must be some magical day of revelation or revolution to declare a victory. We must radically declare victory in every sense, through every action. Taking a deep breath is as valid a victory as a rally of ten thousands.

“What does it look like?” — It looks like a force of community defense armed with strength and spirit. Community defenders through restoration and accountability. Through de-escalation and fraternity of the community. It looks like the power of the people through participation and consultation. Victory looks like an organization of the masses as the sword and shield of the people. It wields the sword against establishment attackers and Capitalist invaders; it wields the shield for all of its children so that they may be fed and cared for.

In victory, there is rest. A rest built through decades of struggle and harsh conditions. A rest that will only come following not only the downfall of the old but the erection of something new. The sword will fight battles on decades; the shield will be battered down, but when the fighting ceases and we have conquered the oppressors, we will see what it looks like.