Slingshot is an independent, radical, newspaper published in Berkeley since 1988.
In March, the Slingshot collective will celebrate 20 years of publishing. As we finished up this issue, we had a great discussion about what it means to do a radical project like this for such a long time. There have been a lot of changes over 20 years, yet to look at it from one perspective, you could say that politically, economically and environmentally, things have just gotten worse since 1988, despite the energy put into Slingshot. What are you to think when you put your life into a project aiming at social change, and things move backwards instead?
Probably the key to the sustainability of the Slingshot collective has been that we don’t treat it as a simplistic means to an end — insert newsprint and out comes social change. Publishing the paper is part of the way we live our lives joyously and engaged. Making each issue creates community and is intellectually, artistically and politically stimulating. Slingshot is not an action group, but rather a process — a tiny part of a larger culture of resistance.
Looking over 20 years of papers, you notice that we seem to be writing the same article over and over again. We started out writing about People’s Park, wars, police abuse and environmental destruction, and we still are. One could feel discouraged or give up out of frustration, but in the end, staying engaged with these issues means we’re still engaged in our lives. We haven’t just “grown up” and gotten a job, moved to the suburbs, and tried to pretend things are okay. And we aren’t caught in a web of defeat, resignation or cynicism — knowing things are fucked up and getting psychologically broken by it. Instead, we’re fully alive or at least strive to be — feeling the pain of the world and yet still able to feel pleasure, love and freedom. We refuse to let the system win by living wasted, meaningless, despairing lives.
Slingshot doesn’t want to be reduced to a loyal opposition — just writing down the standard, predictable anarchist responses oblivious to whether or not it matters. We hope that by admitting that we don’t have all the answers and having a sense of humor, we can figure out how to react to the “same old issues” with something fresh. While we wish we could just write an article and end capitalism or global warming, 20 years of making a zine teaches you that grappling with social change takes some patience and an intergenerational perspective.
If you dream of living a meaningful, engaged, fun life full of community and energy, your dreams can come true. A huge amazing group came together to make this issue — in sharp contrast to recent, under-staffed issues. It feels easy to imagine another 20 years of Slingshot. [. . . heroic music plays . . . ]
Slingshot is always looking for new writers, artists, editors, photographers, translators, distributors & independent thinkers to make this paper. If you send something written, please be open to being edited. We especially are seeking COVER ART submissions!
Editorial decisions are made by the Slingshot collective, but not all the articles reflect the opinions of all collective members. We welcome debate and constructive criticism.
Thanks to all who made this: Aaron, Chelsea, Compost, Dominique, Eggplant, Gregg, Hefty Lefty, Hunter, Ian, Jess, Jess, Joy, Julia, Karma, Kathryn, Mario, Molly, Moxy, PB, Rugrat, Samantha, Stephanie.
Slingshot New Volunteer Meeting
Volunteers interested in getting involved with Slingshot can come to the new volunteer meeting on Sunday, March 9 (Slingshot’s 20th birthday!) at 4 p.m. at the Long Haul in Berkeley (see below).
Article Deadline and Next Issue Date
Submit your articles for issue 97 by April 12, 2008 at 3 p.m.
Volume 1, Number 95, Circulation 16,000
Printed January 24, 2008
Slingshot Newspaper
Sponsored by Long Haul
3124 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley, CA 94705
Phone: (510) 540-0751
slingshot@tao.ca • www.slingshot.tao.ca
Circulation Information
Slingshot is free in the Bay Area and is available at Long Haul and Bound Together Books (SF), plus lots of other places. Subscriptions to Slingshot are free to prisoners, low income and anyone in the USA who has a Slingshot organizer, or cost $1 per issue. International is $2.50 per issue. Back issues are available for the cost of postage. National free distribution program: Outside of the Bay Area, we’ll mail a stack of free copies of Slingshot to distributors, infoshops, bookstores and random friendly individuals for FREE in the US if they give ‘em out for free.
Back issue Project
We’ll send you a random assortment of back issues for the cost of postage: send us $3 for 2 lbs or $4 for 3 lbs. Free if you’re an infoshop or library. Or drop by our office. Send cash or check to Slingshot to: Slingshot 3124 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley, CA 94705.
Circulation Information
Slingshot is free in the Bay Area and is available at Long Haul and Bound Together Books (SF), plus lots of other places. Contact us or come by if you want to distribute Slingshot for free in the Bay Area.
Subscriptions to Slingshot are free to prisoners, low income and anyone in the USA who has a Slingshot organizer, or cost $1 per issue. International is $2.50 per issue. Back issues are available for the cost of postage. National free distribution program: Outside of the Bay Area, we’ll mail a stack of free copies of Slingshot to distributors, infoshops, bookstores and random friendly individuals for FREE in the US if they give ‘em out for free.
Volume 1, Number 95, Circulation 16,000
Printed January 24, 2008
Slingshot Newspaper
Sponsored by Long Haul
3124 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley, CA 94705
Phone: (510) 540-0751
slingshot@tao.ca • www.slingshot.tao.ca