Interview with North American Anarchist Studies Network Conference Organizer, Tammy Kovich

The North American Anarchist Studies Network (NAASN) had its founding conference in Hartford, Connecticut in 2009. Over 350 people were in attendance throughout the weekend and open assemblies were held to discuss the future of the network. Out of these assemblies sprang some working groups, ideas for expanding the network, and its future direction. We also decided that we would have an annual conference to be hosted in different cities and organized by local groups. 

The North American Anarchist Studies Network (NAASN) had its founding conference in Hartford, Connecticut in 2009. Over 350 people were in attendance throughout the weekend and open assemblies were held to discuss the future of the network. Out of these assemblies sprang some working groups, ideas for expanding the network, and its future direction. We also decided that we would have an annual conference to be hosted in different cities and organized by local groups. 

The second conference takes place in Toronto this January. A small group of folks organized this year’s conference, which takes place at the Steel Workers’ Hall (25 Cecil Street) on January 15^th and 16^th (for more info, check out http://naasn.org ). I interviewed Tammy Kovich, one of this year’s conference organizers, about what to expect in Toronto.

First, thank you Tammy for taking the time to answer some interview questions about the upcoming NAASN conference in Toronto. I know from experience that organizing these kinds of events can be a ton of work, so my thanks to you and the entire organizing collective for all of your work. Can you first tell us how you got involved in the NAASN?

Thanks Deric for taking the time to interview me! Organizing for the conference has been a fair bit of work, however we’re all super excited for the event, and can’t wait until January!

In regards to how I got involved in the NAASN, I heard about the formation of the network about two summers ago, and was actively following the work being done for the first conference. Unfortunately, I had another commitment and couldn’t make it. However, I did pass along information about the conference to another York student, and he was able to attend. Once he got back from the conference I grilled him for details, and we spent some time discussing the conference, as well as how great it would be to host one in Canada. I then joined the NAASN listserv once it was set up, and when the callout went over the list for volunteers to organize the next conference, my colleagues and I jumped at the opportunity to bring the conference to Toronto.

And how would you describe the NAASN? How is “anarchist studies” different and/or similar from other scholarly pursuits?

I would describe the NAASN as a dispersed network of individuals interested in the study, and furthering of anarchist ideas and practices in North America. I see the network as a tool to facilitate discussion, research and critical reflection on anarchism, as well as an avenue through which anarchists throughout the continent can connect, communicate their work, and find a common ground upon which shared projects can be built. Simply put, I envision the network as a space for ongoing anarchist dialogue and action.

On the question of ‘anarchist studies’, I personally understand this field to be quite distinct from other scholarly pursuits. In line with anarchism’s commitment to transformative politics, I understand ‘anarchist studies’ to be a field of study that is necessarily rooted in a commitment to radical social change, and as such, is concerned with the production of knowledge relevant and/or useful to that project. For me, ‘anarchist studies’ challenges the logic of many other scholarly pursuits and makes the assertion that knowledge produced for knowledge’s sake is not enough. The study of anarchism, to me at least, implies a self-conscious drive to undertake intellectual work (broadly defined of course) that has an eye to social struggle.

The classic image of the intellectual, that of an individual holed away in the ivory tower of the university, disengaged and removed, is an image I see wholeheartedly rejected by the field of ‘anarchist studies’. The myth of the ‘neutral academic’ is discarded, and concern placed on forging links of mutual solidarity with resisting others. Scholarly work is undertaken with the explicit purpose of contributing, albeit modestly, to ongoing resistance movements.

The NAASN, from the beginning, stressed trying to make a space for “anarchist studies” conceived very broadly and, importantly, not limited to the Academy. Did this affect the organizing of the Toronto conference? If so, how?

From the beginning, we have been committed to ensuring that the conference, both in regards to participation and structure, departs to the greatest extent possible from the model of the traditional academic conference. It is not enough, not even close, for the conference to be anarchist only in terms of the content being discussed. For us, it is crucial that the conference also be organized in an anarchistic fashion. That is to say, organized in a participatory and inclusive manner rooted in anarchist values, and that takes account of the diversity of the anarchist movement.

In terms of how this focus has affected the organizing, we have paid special attention to soliciting the participation of not just ‘official’ anarchist academics, but community organizers, activists, independent researchers and all of those interested in the study of anarchism. It has been important to us to actively include those who daily engage in struggle, fighting for anarchism on the streets and within their communities, and not only those who engage with anarchism in the confines of the library stacks. Anarchism is very much a lived theory that cannot be disentangled from practice, and as such we have tried to organize the conference in a manner that reflects this.

There are anarchist conferences, talks, and bookfairs popping up all over North America, perhaps reflecting both a rising interest in anarchism and an increase in struggles against hierarchies of all kinds. How is the Toronto NAASN conference unique? What might make people want to come to this conference in particular?

I hate answering questions like these, no offence intended Deric. I never quite know what to say, and feel as though such questions force you to try to ‘sell’ whatever it is that you are organizing. In claiming that there is something unique, or particularly noteworthy about this event, I feel somehow implies that other events are lacking. I’m sure that there are other events that have the same elements as the Toronto NAASN conference, and in terms of what might motivate folks to attend, that will likely vary from person to person.

That said, I sincerely think that the Toronto NAASN conference is going to be a great weekend, and most definitely worth attending. There will a huge variety of workshops and panels, and plenty of opportunities to network with other anarchists.  There will be a wide range of participants, from tenured academics to people who would prefer to see all universities burn to the ground, and everyone in between. All of these wonderful people, engaged in a diversity of projects will be brought together in one space to engage in dialogue with one another, and discuss what potentials exist for future anarchist work. That fact alone for me is incredibly exciting. Let’s face it, as anarchists we don’t exactly make up a social majority anywhere, and to spend a weekend surrounded by other anarchists from across the continent, share insights and attempt to build stronger connections is promising. We can only accomplish so much isolated within our own tiny communities, and an opportunity to build links beyond those places is important.

 

Are there any activities, talks, or workshops you’re particularly looking forward to?

To be honest, I’m most excited about the opportunity that I mentioned in the previous question. I’m looking forward to using the conference as a space to interact, and build links with others. I hope to use the conference as a springboard from which relationships, and hopefully other projects can be founded.

Any advice for people traveling from outside of Toronto on the city, the conference, or other related activities?

Well, first and foremost, especially if you’re traveling to Toronto from the South, bring layers! Toronto can get pretty cold come January, and multiple layers of clothing, as well as a hat and mittens are absolutely essential. Beyond that, I’d say try to take in as many panels and workshops as possible. 

Anything you’d like to add here?

I suppose I’d like to add a brief pitch to donate to the G20 Legal Defence Fund. As I’m sure anyone reading this knows, Toronto played host to the G20 summit this past June, and our communities are still in the process of dealing with the aftermath. Committed community organizers, many of whom were targeted as a result of their explicitly anarchist politics are facing serious criminal charges. Some are still in jail, while others are living under incredibly restrictive bail conditions. The legal battle that now stands ahead of our beloved allies will be long and costly. With this mind, and acknowledging the importance of providing solidarity and support for our comrades, all proceeds from the conference will be donated to the Legal Defence Fund. So, if you have a few extra dollars, please be generous when registering for the conference and paying the sliding scale fee.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Toronto come January.