Jenn: Anarchists: This city is a (d)rag and I'm a molotv cocktail

Hey everyone, Jenn here -- my name appears as "was raw" because I have another blog on this website, so sorry about the confusion.

I've been trying to throw around some different ideas -- reporting on music or street art (two passions of mine). However, I kept going back to the topic of anarchists (it drew my attention more) so I guess it's a sign, huh?

My main interest is how anarchy is executed in modern day NYC. I'd like to tie this into the (brutally true) complain that "NYC is no fun anymore." The condos, indecently expensive "boutiques," and trust-fund hipsters have rolled out across the city over the past decade faster than red carpet on premier night. Somehow, the city has gotten more expensive, and any tolerance for the poor, affordable housing, free events, and especially community spaces (and Astroland!) has been thrown out the window.

While back in the '60s and '70s anarchists were spotted squatting apartments in the Lower East Side, and even up to the '80s creating community gardens, that is no longer possible today. The main event where the notion of "anarchy" takes center stage is through Critical Mass.

Critical Mass is a gathering of anywhere from a couple to hundreds of bike riders who then "take back the streets" for non-polluting transportation.

Below the radar is the NYMAA, an anarchist group with a constitution and congressional meetings. In the middle, with slight media attention, is the Hungry March Band, an anarchist marching band.

This leads to many questions. Many questions.

How has space became an issue in these groups? How do you consolidate the notions of "anarchy" with a group that has a constitution? How many people who consider themselves anarchists have day jobs? Do the demands of this city force idealists to compromise, for instance, being a slave to the establishment (job)? How has anarchy and its ideals been changed by the city?

While I'd like to delve deeper than the whole "It's not easy being black" (the anarchist flag is black), I think it's a marketable story, considering many people are under the false pretense that either a)there are no anarchists in NYC or b) what's an anarchist???? The topic has received very little coverage - even in the Village Voice.

Alright, Seacrest Out