A symposium featuring anarchist authors of northern Arizona, held at the Flagstaff Photography Center on April 26, showcased five local writers, each with his or her own unique view on anarchy.

Despite their differences, each author argued against stereotypes associated with anarchy, including the thought that violence must be used to overthrow government influence.

Kyle Boggs, a writer and blogger on anarchist movements, said the typical view of anarchism portrays a group of selfish individuals acting against authority.

He said this perception could not be further from the truth.

(Left to right) NAU student Katie Curran, criminal justice professor Luis Fernandez, and political science professor Joel Olson talk to an audience during the anarchist book reading held at Flagstaff Photography Center. Professor Olson read excerpts from his book, The Abolition of White Democracy. - Genie MacArthur/ The Lumberjack

“It is not one, for themselves, against all,” Boggs said. “It is the exact opposite of that.”

The panelists offered differing views on why hierarchical power creates injustice in today’s society.

One speaker, Randall Amster, said homeless people provide an interesting perspective that informs the philosophies of the anarchist movement. Amster, a teacher from Prescott, argued their lives go against society’s normal expectations. Instead of falling back in privacy, as the majority of citizens do, homeless people live their lives fully in the public’s eye. In this way, Amster believes homelessness challenges the legal system.

“There is something anti-authoritarian in the appearance of street people,” Amster said. “They are sticking their thumb up their nose to society by simply being there.”

Amster said discussion of anarchy and anarchism should incorporate perspectives similar to that presented by the defiant existence of the homeless.   

“Things that defy (society) can be powerful learning moments for us,” Amster said. “It gives us something to think about.”

Others viewed anarchy as a result of life experiences. 

Luis Fernandez, an NAU professor of criminology, said his childhood in Nicaragua shaped his interest in the subject. 

The Nicaraguan Revolution, which resulted from a combination of political, social and economic grievances, lasted from 1961 to 1990. It left widespread turmoil in its wake.

These issues led Fernandez to question such uprisings, eventually discovering the fundamentals of anarchy.

“It was about my life, a very particular experience,” Fernandez said. “Since that moment, I have been obsessed with movements of revolution. I came to anarchism as a critique of actual practices that occur during revolutions.”

The panelists believed that due to its prominence society, academics should incorporate anarchist thought. They said anarchist ideologues and their philosophies’ effects upon history make anarchy a relevant topic for study, especially in subjects such as political science and criminology, but also across several other academic disciplines.

Fernandez said growing interest in the subject has led to newfound awareness of anarchy’s prevalence in the past and its importance in education.

“Diverse, widespread anarchist thought is in academics,” Fernandez said. “There is a growing interest…across the board. (It) is a useful guide to academic ideals.”

Others argued anarchist thought would benefit those living under an oppressive government. Especially those governments which have demonstrated totalitarian elements since their inception.

Joel Olson, an NAU professor of political science, said the framers of the Constitution founded the government under terms that gave certain races an advantage over others.

“The most central form of power has been formed with white supremacy,” Olson said. “It was an alliance between the capital class and one class of workers. They started thinking they were the boss.”

According to the panel, these varying levels of thought can be combined in the hope that our nation will one day be free from oppressive rule.

“Anarchism is a deep respect for human life,” Fernandez said. “(It is) the idea of connecting to people.”

As anarchy continues gaining popularity, Olson hopes more will be done to create awareness of and interest in the cause.

“How can this idea not develop into something that challenges power?” Olson asked. “Ordinary people are capable of living their daily lives without a state.”