A-Infos (en) US, [Infoshop News] REVIEW: Profane Existence - Anarcho-punk Resource Magazine

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Issue #43 / Summer-Fall 2003 (PO Box 8722. Minneapolis, MN 55408; e-mail:
blackened@visi.com; web: www.profaneexistence.com) is 16-page,
long-running newspaper of anarchist politics and punk music culture
based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Profane is back in print after a hiatus
of several years, perhaps proving that the idea of political punk
activism is not yet dead. Profane Existence is a bit different than most
punk magazines, in that the anarchist and radical politics are up front
and the punk culture stuff is more in the background. This is probably
one of the reasons for PE’s longevity. And the North American anarchist
movement probably owes more to this magazine than it would like to
admit. It could be safely argued that during the 90s, Profane Existence
did more than any other magazine to keep the anarcho-punk movement
going, which in turn helped the anarchist movement develop into the
bigger, more popular movement that it is in the early 21st century.

The highlight of this issue is the 4-page centerfold section titled
“Black Bloc: a primer.” This is an excellent overview of black blocs
written by the creative minds behind Crimethinc. It includes photos of
past black blocs, as well as two of Mike Flugennock’s black bloc
graphics. This guide to black blocs is a solid overview of the history
of black blocs, the tactics of the black bloc, and the politics and
culture of the bloc. The reasons behind the use of black bloc tactics
are explained, although I wish that the article could have gone into
more detail about how black blocs assert civil liberties on the streets.
People have a right to protest in the streets without permits. The guide
talks about police tactics such as “snatch squads” and explains how
different black bloc tactics can be used to keep the police in check.
This guide goes into detail about how to prepare for black blocs. Do you
scouting in advance. Make sure you have plenty of water and wear your
clothes in layers. The section on the organization of black blocs is
good, although it could go into more detail about affinity groups. And
it includes some tips about de-escalating confrontations with peace
nazis and liberal protestors who frequently tip the police off about the
presence of black blocs. This special section concludes with an extended
anecdote about how anti-biotech activists successfully used black bloc
tactics during a direct action.

This issue also includes an article by Special K on “Why Clear Channel
Sucks.” Clear Channel is one of the biggest media juggernauts, owning
hundreds of radio and TV stations across the USA, as well as media
properties around the world. This reviewer has been involved in some
anti-Clear Channel activism, so it was really awesome to learn a few new
things in this article about this evil media giant. Another feature of
interest in this issue is an interview with the author of “Evasion,” the
infamous book published by Crimethinc about dropping out of the grind of
daily life. Fans of “Evasion” and critics of “traveling kids” will find
some common ground in this interview. Mack makes a good case for living
off the excess of capitalist society and exploiting its stupidity and
rigidity. He also has some tough words about traveling kids.

Each issue of Profane Existence comes with a dose of regular features
like the “Page Three Punk,” letters, an events calendar, editorials by
regular columnists, and a decent section of music and zine reviews. It
should be noted that this issue includes a brief introduction to the
Minnesota Anarchist Collective.

Profane Existence has gotten lots of props for doing an awesome punk
music distro in the past, but it looks like they aren’t running a distro
these days.

$2 in the US, or four 37-cent stamps. $3 worldwide.

Reviewed by Chuck Munson

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