The Philly Anarchist Bookfair organizers recognizes that the dynamics of hierarchy power and privilege that exist within society are also found within our mileu. We believe that failing to address these dynamics alienates and further victimizes our friends and accomplices and stops us from creating the anti-hierarchical struggle we want.
People participating in the bookfair are asked to be aware of their presence, language and behavior, and to think about whether it might be oppressive to others. The bookfair is no space for violence, racism, ageism, sexism, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, sizeism, or touching another person without consent. Acting in a way that perpetuates oppression, including through language, is not acceptable.
We define oppressive as any conduct that demeans, marginalizes, rejects, threatens, or harms anyone on the basis of ability, age, cultural background, education, ethnicity, gender, immigration status, language, nationality, physical appearance, race, religion, self-expression, sexual orientation, status as a parent or other such factors.
Oppressive behavior occurs everyday, often in seemingly trivial ways. For example, interruptions, jokes, and oppressive language are common behaviors that reinforce power dynamics. Overtime, such behaviors can develop into a pattern of oppressive that is far more damaging than an isolated incident. Other individual acts may be more severe, involving physical and emotional violence.
Please keep the following in mind while interacting with others:
*Be responsible for your own actions. Be aware that your actions have an effect on others, despite what your intentions may be.
*Respect everyone’s physical and emotional boundaries. Ask first before touching, and listen and change your behavior if someone tells you that you are making them uncomfortable.
*Check in before discussion topics that might be triggering (sexual abuse, sexual experiences, physical violence, or encounters with the police).
*If you are called out for problematic behavior do not be defensive. Your intentions and character may not be under attack, be open to understanding the role your behavior has in other people’s experiences of oppression.
*Respect the pronouns and names of everyone. Do not assume anyone’s gender, sexual preference, survivor status, economic status, background, health, etc.
*Respect people’s opinions, beliefs, experiences and different points of view. This does not apply to opinions, beliefs, or points of view that perpetuate oppression or reinforce power dynamics.
*We cannot guarantee a snitch-free or cop-free space, please keep this in mind during discussion at the bookfair
*Do not take photos or point cameras at people without their permission. Respect that people may not want to be photographed or otherwise documented.
*Be mindful of any non-human animals. Try not to leave anything around that could endanger them.
Philadelphia Anarchist Book Fair 