wretched-of-the-earth-frantz-fanon

82THE WRETCHED OF THE EARTHGRANDEUR AND WEAKNESS OF SPONTANEITY83}unemployed, and the petty criminals, when approached, give theliberation struggle all they have got, devoting themselves to thecause like valiant workers. These vagrants, these second-classcitizens, find their way back to the nation thanks toin the eyes of colonial societyor ViS-a-VIS the moral standards ot the colonizer, they believe thepower of the gun or the hand grenade is the only way to entercities. These jobless, these species of subhumans, redeemthemselves in their own eyes and before history. The prostitutestoo, the domestics at two thousand francs a month, the hopelesscases, all those men and women who fluctuate between madnessand suicide, are restored to sanity, return to action and taketheir vital place in the great march of a nation onThe nationalist parties are unable to graspenon that precipitates their disintegration. Therr""t;r", in the towns modifies the nature of the struggle.mass of the colonialist troops were aimed at thethey now surge back to the towns in order to safeguardpeople and property. The forces of repression are dispersed, dangerlurks in every quarter. It is the national territory, the entirecolony which enters into a trance. Armed groups of peasantswatch as the military loosens its grip. The insurrection in thetowns is an unexpected lifesaver.The leaders of the insurrection, observing the ardorsiasm of the people as they deal decisive blows tomachine, become increasingly distrustful of traditional politics.towards what they now callverbiage, bantering, and futile agitation. They feel ahatred for "politics" and demagoguery. Hence in the initial phasethe cult of spontaneity is triumphant.The rash of revolts which break out in the interior testify tothe nation's substantial presence in every quarter. Every colonizedsubject in arms represents a piece of the nation on themove. These revolts jeopardize the colonial regime, force it tomobilize its troops by dispersing them, and threaten to suffocatemoment They are governed by a simple doctrine:must be made to There is no program, no discourse,there are no resolutions, no factions. The problem isclear-cut: The foreigners must leave. Let us build a common frontagainst the oppressor and let us reinforce it with armed struggle.As long as colonialism remains in a state of anxiety, the nationalcause advances and becomes the cause of each and everyone.The struggle for liberation takes shape and already involvesthe entire country. During this period, spontaneity rules.tive rests with local areas. On hilltop aminiature is formed and assumes power. In the valleys and mvillages, everywhere, oneencounters a national authority. The action of each and everyonesubstantiates the nation and undertakes to ensure its triumphlocally. We are dealing with a strategy of immediacy which isboth all-embracing and radical. The objective, the program ofevery spontaneously formed group is liberation at a local level.If the nation is present everywhere, it must then be here. Onestep further and it is present only here. Tactics and strategymerge. The art of politics is quite simolv transformedart of war. The militant becomesto in oolitics are onedispossessed population, used to living in a narrow cycleof conflict and rivalry, solemnly sets about cleansing and purifyingthe local face of the nation. In a state of genuine collectiveecstasy rival families decide to wipe the slate clean and forgetthe past. Reconciliations abound. Deep-buried, traditional hatredsare dug up, the better to root them out. Faith in the nationfurthers political consciousness. National unity begins with theunity of the group, the settling of old scores, and thetion once and for all of any resentment. Those indigenous eletheiractivities andthe occupier are also included in the cleansingprocess. Traitors and mercenaries, however, are judged and