The notion of direct action, while overly broad in definitions and interpretations, can be simplified to summarize one idea - effectiveness. An action is direct if it is the most effective step taken to stop an act of injustice or oppression. At times direct action may include collecting signatures on petitions, setting up an information table, talking to friends and neighbors, and voting. And at other times, direct action may mean engaging in civil disobedience, sabotage, violence and other illegal activities. Which activity and tactic chosen at a particular time and place should directly relate to that which is going to be the most effective, period. Why this incredibly simplistic idea is overlooked and rarely acted upon today in US social and political movements is not so much a mystery as it is a disgrace.
Here it is, late March of 2006. Inside the United States we have over 37 million people living under the federally established mockery of a poverty line. Millions more beyond that still cannot acquire the necessary finances to have basic needs met. Since the 1960s, we have allowed 90% of our old growth forests to be destroyed, and our water and air to be increasingly contaminated. Today, over 45 million people live without health care in the United States, including over 8.5 million children. And we continue to sit back and watch - as though it were another episode of the 5:00 news or our favorite sit-com - our pseudo-democratic political machine become further dysfunctional and unjust.
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