Closing this year in books with a little anthology that is a jewel in itself.
I confess I was very ignorant about the struggle of the Kurdish people. It was this small book that opened that huge door for me. What is happening in Rojava sounds like a real revolution, where new systems of organisation are being implemented, tested, experienced and improved as needed.
The whole world needs to know how this region has been torn with war, and in the middle of it all, the Kurdish people and their neighbours have had enough. They have made a confederation, organised from the bottom up, where everyone is explicitly included.
Women are a vital part of this revolution inspired and set forth by the currently imprisoned leader
Abdullah Öcalan, or Apo. Turkey hates the idea of an anarchist confederation next door, and has done everything it can to stop it.
But still, the will of the people, their kindness and social awareness, makes them prosper. Against all odds, the seeds of a new system that explicitly rejects capitalism, authoritarianism and discrimination are sprouting in one of the most violent environments. The whole world should learn about Democratic Confederalism, about the Asayish, the YPG and the YPJ, the assemblies, about Kobane, Afrin and Qamishli.
I was inspired by this awesome recount of what is possible, of how we can live together and look after each other with motivations other than self centered power or money struggles. Long live the Rojava Revolution! The world stands with your brave people!