From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia.
DIY (or Do It Yourself)
Culture is a broad term used
to refer to a wide range of
grassroots political activism.
DIY Culture became something
of a recognised movement in the
1990s in the
UK where the protest (the
direct action) and party (the
festival) converged. This
develoment constituted a
significant cross-pollination of
pleasure and politics resembling
the anti-disciplinary politics of
the
1960s. During the 1990s, this
culture also grew in Australia,
where it was sometimes referred to
as "FreeNRG" culture,
demonstrating the desire for an
economy of mutual aid and
co-operation, the commitment to
the non-commodification of art,
the appropriation of digital and
communication technologies for
free community purposes, and the
commitment to alternative
technologies such as
biodiesel. From
1991-1997
the
Conservative government
cracked down on
squatting,
animal rights activists,
greens,
travellers, as well as the
culture of
raves, parties and
dance culture. Some
commentators have criticised DIY
Culture as a form of
laissez-faire
libertarianism only available
to those who already have access
to resources and leisure in this
society.
Criminal Justice and Public
Order Act
In
1994, the
United Kingdom passed the
Criminal Justice and Public Order
Act 1994 which contained
several sections designed to
curtail the growing
free party and
anti-road
protest movements (sometimes
embodied by
ravers and
travellers). It empowered
police to arrest citizens who
appeared to be preparing to hold a
rave, waiting for a rave to start,
or attending a rave.
See also
References
- Elaine Brass and Sophie
Poklewski Koziell with Denise
Searle (editor), 1997.
Gathering Force: DIY culture -
radical action for those tired
of waiting, London: Big
Issue.
ISBN 1-89-941901-9.
- McKay, George. Senseless
acts of beauty: cultures of
resistance since the Sixties,
London: Verso, 1996.
ISBN 1-85-984028-0.
- McKay, George. (ed) DiY
culture: party & protest in
Nineties Britain, London; New
York: Verso, 1998.
ISBN 1-85-984260-7.
- St John, Graham. (ed)
FreeNRG: Notes From the Edge of
the Dancefloor Altona:
Commonground.
ISBN 1-86335 084-5.
- Wall, Derek 'Earth First and
the Anti-Roads Movement: Radical
Environmentalism and Comparative
Social Movements' London:
Routledge, 1999.
ISBN 0415190649
