Archive (Page 2) • Planning for Abolition • Buttondown

Learning with each other

In memory of Walter Benjamin, radical German Jewish philosopher who committed suicide in 1940 after completing the ‘Theses on the Concept of History’ from which this quote’s taken, and dedicated to all people who are victimised and killed by states. We have lived through and witnessed such horrors, in the last few years alone, that I often feel overwhelmed and exhausted, and I don’t think this is unusual. My understanding of history ‘against the grain’ (in Benjamin’s terms) or ‘from below’ helps me to maintain perspective; reminding me that actions have consequences, and that I’m not alone. One of the things I cherish about living in both Jewish and anarchist circles is our dedication to reading, discussing, and questioning everything together, so ‘always carry a book’ is also practical advice. Attribution – NonCommercial-ShareAlike — Alice Ross

Alice Ross’ ‘Always Carry a Book’ is part of the Justseeds graphics collection. Justseeds is a cooperative of artists committed to social, environmental, and political engagement, and whose work I go back to for inspiration all the time.

One of my current favourites is a poster by William Estrada, an image of a forest with a bright pink night sky and a group of walkers winding through a trail with the reminder that “we learn with each other” printed along the bottom.

May 12, 2025