I found myself struggling to write our final paper, because there were so many points I wanted to touch on and it seemed daunting to unite these points under a coherent argument. This blog post then is almost doubly difficult, because I’ll need to cut so many points out to keep the word count. Nonetheless, in this post I’d like to focus on systems thinking as it pertains to our action group project and the university system as a whole.
As we have learned it in class, systems thinking is an understanding that people, organizations, institutions, environments, non-human animals, and more are all in relation to one another. In our group, we worked as individual people within a group system. This group system worked within our class system, and the ICA system, and the university system, all of which also work within different systems (and of course our bodies are systems and relate to the ecological systems around us).
In thinking about our group and ICA in relation to the university system, I found myself wondering about the purpose and feasibility of progressive struggle and action from within an institution so totally invested (literally) in fossil fuels, ecological destruction, and war. What are ways we could be using our energy more productively, while still pushing for climate justice? What will be the actual, material result of UW divesting from fossil fuels when so many other universities still will be? What are the contradictions of pushing for climate justice as students within an objectively colonial and imperialist institution?
With all these questions, I don’t have specific conclusions. In my personal time, I engage in both institutional and subversive action, with varying results. I believe that there is value in organizing for institutional reform (particularly when keeping in mind the greater impact that success in this area can have), but I also recognize that American universities are inherently colonial and exploitative—in their histories, and in their present-day actions as well—and their interests are at odds with the interests of the masses. What I do hold is the importance of understanding the contradictions within any type of struggle. While there may not be one perfect way to “do the work,” building with each other and recognizing the limitations and strengths of different tactics will produce a more cohesive and powerful movement.
How do you propose we “do the work.” I agree with you in the sense that American universities are inherently exploitative. You also outline that they’re (the opposition) “interests are at odds with the interests of the masses.” And I think this is a great thing to notice because its absolutely true. But that also means that as a united student body, we have more power than them. The universities are providing us with a service and we are the ones paying. This means they are incentivised to give us what we want, but only if we have common demands.
I believe that to “do the work,” every small step is justified. In the grand scheme of things, UW is probably a tiny dot on the flow chart, but I think that the only way to create actual change is by making smaller waves that culminate into one tide that reaches a tipping point, a tipping point where we are more sustainable than not.
What are the contradictions of pushing for climate justice as students within an objectively colonial and imperialist institution? You ask this right after you talk of our systems and UW being one of those. I feel as though UW is an essential system to us all; there are no contradictions when fighting climate change. Like any system, the best way to change it is within; take your body, for example; I would say that most injuries, colds, or flu are cured from within the body. Doctors will sound to let your body get lots of rest because the cells in your body are doing most of the work. I’m sorry if that analogy doesn’t make sense. What I’m trying to say is that the best way to change or cure a system is from within. Systems change when they can no longer function. When workers go on strike, when cells in the body die, when students protest, systems will change to survive.