A.B.C. OF ANARCHISM think any kind of preparation for such a great task can be too difficult? Let us, then, fully realise how important it is to prepare for the social revolution, and to prepare for it in the right way. " But what is the right way? " you demand. " And who is to prepare?" Who is to prepare? First of all, you and I-those who are interested in the success of the revolution, those who want to help bring it about. And you and I means every man and woman; at least every decent man and woman, every one who hates oppression and loves liberty, every one who cannot endure misery and injustice which fill the world to-day. And above all it is those who suffer most from existing conditions, from wage slavery, subjection, and indignity. " The workers, of course," you say. Yes, the workers. As the worst victims of present institutions it is to their own interest to abolish them. It has been truly said that IC the emancipation of the workers must be accomplished by the workers themselves," for no other social class will do it for them. Yet labour's emancipation means at the same time the redemption of the whole of society and that is why some people speak of labour's IC historic mission" to bring about the better day. But IC mission" is the wrong word. It suggests a duty or task imposed on one from the outside, by some external power. It is a false and misleading conception, essentially a religious, metaphysical sentiment. Indeed, if the emancipation of labour is a "historic mission," then history will see to it that it is carried out no matter what we may think, feel, or do about it. The attitude makes human effort unnecessary, superfluous; because "what must be will be." Such a fantastic notion is destructive to all initiative and the exercise of one's mind and will. It is a dangerous and harmful idea. There is no power outside of man which can free him, none which can charge him with any IC mission." Neither heaven nor history can do it. History is the story of what has happened. It can teach a les&onbut not impose a task. It is riot the IC mission " but the interest df the proletariat to emancipate itself from bondage. If labour does not consciously and actively strive for it, it will never " happen." It is necessary to free ourselves from the stupid and false notion of "historic missions." It is only by growing to a true realisation of their present position, by visualising their possibilities and powers, by learning unity and co-operation, and practicing them, that the masses can attain freedom. In achieving that they will also have liberated the rest of mankind. 56 B blroteca Gino Bianco
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