The New York City activist world is abuzz with a widespread media action today: the distribution of thousands of copies of a New York Times "Special Edition" featuring the bold headline "IRAQ WAR ENDS" along with "USA Patriot Act Repealed" and "Friedman: The End of Experts" (in which "Thomas Friedman" apologizes for presuming to be an intellectual authority and for his support of the Iraq war).
I got an email from a friend at Bluestockings Books yesterday asking for volunteers to help with a mystery action ("it's gonna be really good!") to come pick up bundles of material to distribute throughout the city. I'm in school up in Providence so, intrigued as I was, I couldn't participate. But when I got the press release today, and was able to check out the doppleganger of the NYTimes website these organizers created (check it out here) I was surprised and delighted.
The writers of the Special Edition (which is postdated July 4, 2009) have created a visionary document of hope. It's a sort of utopian projection on the future, but it's set so slightly in the future that for believability, and also perhaps as a hint at the very possible achievability of small - or even vast - progressive next steps, the turn of events the writers imagine are not a complete dissolution of systems of oppression, but a buoyant, if improbable, change of heart amongst the powers that be. In fake ads on the website, for example, ExxonMobil claims to have realized that "Peace can be lucrative" and applauded the end of the Iraq war as they pursue renewable energy. Meanwhile, American Apparel is unionizing because, as reads the picket sign held by the typical cult-of-the-"exotic"-15-year-old-girl model: "I have a VOICE, too!".
One of my favorite articles is "Streets Come Alive as Relief and Exuberance Greet End of Conflicts", in which demonstrations of joy in the streets are met with police efforts to make sure demonstrators have access to drinking water and places to rest. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly (and this is a laugh riot to New Yorkers on the left who are familiar with his real personality) says: "You know, everyone on the force, we're all just glad we're here to celebrate peace this time."
I wish I was in the city to see the reactions of commuters receiving this very special Special Edition. I don't know who the creators of this meticulously executed and lively collective imagining are, but if you read this: Imaginary Collective considers you an Imaginary Friend. Thank you!
-sunitadee
