Food Not Bombs:
Thomas A. Jeremiah
05-08-2007
ANTH 315 M-W-F @12:30
Professor Julia Yezbick
Food Not Bombs:
Looking For the Order in Anarchy
As a student of anthropology I am naturally fascinated by the order of groups and societies. In the spring semester of 2007 I was charged with the responsibility to create an ethnography over the course of the semester. The end goal of my studies at Virginia Commonwealth University is to attempt to facilitate international aid organizations in their interactions with native populations. Between the assignment I was to complete, and the goals of my education, I came to the decision to center my ethnography on one volunteer group's methods and motivations. After an awkward rebuff from the charitable group Meals on Wheels I turned my attention to the group known as Food not Bombs. My assertion from the beginning of this project was that there are characteristics among Food not Bombs participants, that are common to all, and their motivations are shaped by those commonalities. I also supposed that through a study of this group, with a subsequent ethnography, I could help Food not Bombs asses the effectiveness of its recruiting strategies, repeat participation among its volunteers, and the organization's capacity to feed the hungry in their community.
But who is Food not Bombs? "Food Not Bombs is one of the fastest growing revolutionary movements and is gaining momentum throughout the world. There are hundreds of autonomous chapters sharing free vegetarian food with hungry people and protesting war and poverty. Food Not Bombs is not a charity. This energetic grassroots movement is active throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Food Not Bombs is organizing for peace and an end to the occupations of Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine. For over 25 years the movement has worked to end hunger and has supported actions to stop the globalization of the...
Please login to view the full essay...