On Post-Culturalism
Throughout the course of our newsletter, FurInform aims to bring up various topics that matter to the furry and the communist cause. Such a nuanced field is bound to weigh topics above or below others, however arguably one of the most crucial topics to be discussed is culture. Why, might you ask, is culture so important to being furry and communist? Well, it influences us, our beliefs, our interactions, and our identity, in addition to doing the same for our enemies. Culture as a whole is indifferent to cause. A consequence of the human (and therian) condition. From language, to habits, to architecture, and beyond, culture influences our lives, and deserves our attention and respect.
Some communists might argue for post-culturalism: the idea that communists must move beyond existing cultures and create a new communist culture in place of historic precedent and tradition, such as that seen in the Cultural Revolution in Maoist China. It is an unfortunate ideology that stems from abuse of cultures by right-wing and centrist parties, and leads to a rejection of the existing cultures as a result. However, culture is rich, and irreplaceable. FurInform aims to demonstrate throughout our tenure that we as furries and as communists should approach culture as an inoffensive topic, a truly unbiased entity that can be a tool used by either side. In discussing topics from various authors and from all across the globe, we hope to enlighten that culture in its numerous forms, can be harmonious and complimentary to the communist cause, as well as provide some ethnographic (of the study of culture) analyses of the furry sphere, and how to improve the standard of living for all involved.
Language and art are some of the most present and tangible aspects of culture, however it can be far more nuanced. Highlighting this fact, we hope to expose our readers to cultures and cultural perspectives other than their own, dismiss and disprove false narratives about culture as a whole, express ways to use culture to benefit your community, and most importantly, how culture is not your enemy.
Revolution comes not in forsaking what brings us together and unites us, but in embracing it. We want a better world, of worker rights, of human rights, of freedom of expression, of freedom from oppression and bigotry, of access to healthcare and education. Culture is right to be criticized, and right to be praised. We should learn about and not forget poor cultural actions, and celebrate our progress forwards towards a better world. Abandoning words that are used to demean others, for example, is an effective way to improve people’s right to be free of bigotry, without abandoning the language as a whole for a perceived better one. As hard as post-culturalists will fight, they ultimately are replacing one rich culture with another rich culture. In doing so though, they are losing a large part of their original identities; a frequent example found in colonialism and rightist ideologies. If you tear down people’s attachment to their land, you can force them to move elsewhere. If you tear down a people’s local language, you can erase their oral histories. If you tear down a people’s art style, you can erase their ability to express their culture. Colonialists love this ideology, as do fascists and capitalists. As communists, we must not make the same mistakes. Question culture, and challenge it, but do not forget culture makes you who you are, and who everyone is. No culture is perfect, and it is crucial to acknowledge that. Post-culturalism, however, seeks to replace that culture due to its flaws, instead of improving it.
We at FurInform are dedicated to expressing the beauty and grandeur of culture, and its sheer pervasiveness. To give you the tools necessary to combat poor cultural actions and aspects, but also to provide examples of cultural successes and hopes. As communists, and as furries, we are always fighting for a better and safer world. We go against the grain of culture, embracing anthropomorphic qualities, embracing the rejection of capitalism, the rejection of inequity, the embrace of personal identity, and so much more. We have our own culture, and that culture changes from forum to forum, or convention to convention, but at the end of the day, we are all building a better world by improving the culture around us, not by abandoning it. We’re present on places like TikTok, showing people outside of the furry community that furries are sweet and approachable people, better as friends than enemies. We’re present on YouTube, showing capitalists that socialism and communism are the better alternatives for all people. We are making an unprecedented amount of progress towards our goals for a better world, not in spite of culture but because of it. Innovating it, adopting it, discussing it. We are culture, and culture is us, and that is the beauty of being furry, of being human/therian, of being communist. Our world is not bleak, it is colorful and awe inspiring, let’s celebrate that.
In solidarity,
FurInform
