Salutations!

So this is the first entry in my new blog, which is intended to relay communiques about my coming semester studying social movements in Mexico. I am relatively new to blogging, and so I apologize if I abuse the established formats and social graces of this medium. I figure it is a good skill to have, and also allows me to keep interested people updated on my travels. I am also trying to hone my writing skills, so forgive me for using this as practice space. Any and all critique or input is highly encouraged.
The program I will be participating in is run by the Mexico- U.S. Solidarity Network, and is accredited through the Metropolitan Autonomous University in Mexico. We will be traveling to San Cristobal de las Casas and Oventic , both Zapatista Territory in the state of Chiapas. We will also be traveling to Tlaxcala, Mexico City and Ciudad Juarez.
The program is perfect for what I am studying in school, which I describe as revolutionary politics and social theory. I am fortunate enough to be able to design my own interdisciplinary undergrad major at Appalachian State University.
I have long been fascinated by the Zapatistas and their struggle for autonomy and liberty in Mexico and beyond. I’ll spare you an explanation of their movement and instead direct you to the Wikipedia article about them, though it is in no way comprehensive. Suffice to say that in my opinion theirs is one of the most unique and successful revolutionary movements currently in progress. For the overly curious reader, I have written an essay on the Zapatistas and the permaculture movement and their place in radical politics today. It is a bit rough on the edges and needs much fine tuning, but in essence sums up my current ideas about what a successful revolutionary movement should look like. You can read it here.
My main focus in the area of revolutionary politics and social theory is identity. Not necessarily identity politics, but more so how individual and group identity influence social movements towards liberation. Again, I'll post more on this later.
So basically I am journeying to Mexico to study revolutionary social movements, not as simply a subject of interest to me, but as a subject that is foundational to my existential reality. I want to be on the front lines, wherever that may be. I want to be a part of the revolutionary project for human liberation which is currently unfolding. My time in Mexico will be spent analyzing movements there with the intention of one day applying lessons learned to movements here in the United States. For though this country has become a gross bastardization of its founding principles it is still my home, and the place that I know best. Therefore it is the place where I can be the most relevant in terms of revolutionary social movements.
So, needless to say, the rest of my posts will be on the topics of radical activism, revolutionary social movements, liberation, autonomy and, especially, identity within such subjects.
That’s all for now… over and out.