Community attitudes to anarchists range from impractical utopians to terrorist ogres who eat babies brains for breakfast. Few if any positive stereotypes exist within communities about anarchists and anarchist objectives and strategies. Working within such a milieu can sap the energy of even the most dedicated activist. The climate created by such negative stereotypes, can and does wear away at the confidence we have in ourselves, our ideas, our objectives and strategies. In such a negative environment it9s important we don9t begin to become the stereotypes other people have created for us and our movement. Time and time again, anarchists movements have taken on the characteristics that the community has created for them, carrying out actions that reinforce those negative stereotypes. It9s important we don9t let other people define who we are and what we stand for. We are the only ones who can and should define our ideas, goals, objectives and strategies. Letting the State, the corporate sector or community do this for us is a dead end one way journey to oblivion. At the end of the day confidence is everything, not a confidence based on superiority, but a confidence based on knowledge, that we as individuals and as members of a movement have something to offer those communities we live and work in. Anarchism is an inclusive ideology that ultimately relies on mass participation. It is the only ideology that honestly and genuinely welcomes participation. It9s strength lies in its ability to tap into the under-utilised resources of individuals and communities. Even in a negative environment, it9s possible to maintain our integrity in ourselves and our ideas. Whether we succeed or fail, will ultimately depend on the strength of our ideas, our understanding of these ideas and our ability to maintain confidence in these ideas irrespective of the hostile environment we find ourselves in.
