A Revolution Without Dancing is not a Revolution Worth Having

By Alfian Zohri

As Russian-born American writer Emma Goldman once said “If I can’t dance, it’s not my revolution! If I can’t dance, I don’t want your revolution! If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution.” Emma was absolutely right about dancing and celebrating a revolution. These two elements were born together and without having both, a movement can’t be called a revolution.

The Egyptians were dancing jubilantly as soon as Mubarak’s regime fell and the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) fighters were singing on the streets with their AK-47s on their shoulders after they took over Benghazi. We must also remember how the Cubans celebrated when Castro and El Che liberated them from the US-aligned dictator General Batista.

Libya is in a transition period after its revolution, Mubarak is now facing trial, and Cubans are still living peacefully despite having their own political disagreements. On Jeju Island however, the struggle continues. A 400 year-old fishing village on Jeju Island called Gangjeong is currently being demolished to build a military naval base despite being recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. Since the protest started, large numbers of peaceful activists have been arrested, numerous demonstrations have been organized, petition after petition has been sent and yet the construction work is still ongoing.

Although many activists have been arrested, the number of people joining the cause has increased day by day, and to raise more awareness among the South Koreans, a charity concert organized by both local and international activists took place in Seoul recently. The gig was held at a small rock club in Hongdae on March 1st. As many as 11 bands from various genres played at the concert, including Cosmos Sound, ReSka, Hwang Boryung Smacksoft, , Eshe & Navah with Juk Juk Grunge’s Ahreum, Goguryeo Band and GJ Flower Band, a band from Gangjeong, performed to support those fighting against the construction of the military naval base. Over100 people turned up at the concert to enjoy the work of so many talented musicians.

Also present during the charity gig was Angie Zelter, a prominent peace activist from the UK who has been arrested more than 100 times in several different countries. She was also one of the female activists who disabled the Hawk Jet that was labeled for sale to the Indonesian military to be used against the East Timorese.

According to one of the organizers of the concert, almost 200 villagers have been arrested during the nonviolent protests while heavy fines have been imposed on many in attempt to silence the movement.

“Police and construction workers have assaulted elderly members of the community and [have even] arrested middle and high school students. This is not only an issue of protecting the environment or preventing military expansion; human rights and free speech are also at stake.”

Gangjeong villagers are not the only community currently being oppressed. Palestinians mainly in Gaza and Ramallah are facing the same treatment. Papuans and Tibetans have been fighting for their rights for years. Yet they still dance, they still have beautiful music and they are still able to write wonderful lyrics. Emma Goldman was definitely right when she said “A revolution without dancing is not a revolution worth having. If there won’t be dancing at the revolution, I’m not coming.”

Read a summary of events related to the Jeju Island Naval base protests.