Q&A for How to Be an Anarchist

If your parents don't want you to be a anarchist, then yes. Otherwise, anarchism doesn't necessarily mean disobeying your parents.

Do some internet research and join some online groups.

They shouldn't. Anarchism is a struggle to dismantle all systems of oppression (the state, white supremacy, colonialism, racism, transphobia, homophobia, etc.) and replace it with horizontal equity. When every person is free, you are free. Anarchist goals are on par with communist goals - stateless society with fair access to all goods for everyone. Collectivism is one of the first principles of anarchism. So it is not, "I can do what I want," but, "I want everyone to be free and equal." As for being peaceful - fighting for rights of oppressed groups means non-peaceful protesting too. Remember, the majority of the tools of violence are in the hands of the state.

Yes. Anyone can be an anarchist. No matter what. Unless you like the government.

The people who want to build the things, provided they are not harming others. Whether or not those things get built depends on their will, and their will would be informed by ethics, reason, and experience. Care would be taken to ensure everyone with a stake in the building of the thing is heard and that there is no coercion, no oppression, and no hierarchy in the building or decision making involved. There are many ways to be organized as a community without hierarchy and coercion. Surprisingly, anarchy is mostly about organization. The "chaos" is in the will of the people participating, which is kept as free as possible (gravity and non-coercive ethical codes may still apply).

Black Bloc is a melting pot of different ideologies. I've seen anarcho-communists, eco-anarchists, and many others participating. Black Bloc is mainly about direct action and protesting.

They are plenty of social communication websites with people online 24/7.

Yes. In fact, there is a whole school of thought dedicated to such, called green anarchism or eco-anarchism.

Yes. While many anarchists want to abolish public property, nearly all of them have no issue with private property.

No, that’s just a negative stereotype. For example, a negative stereotype of capitalism is the rich, imperialist upper class profiteering off the oppressed working class. Can it technically be true? Yes. Is it definitely true? Not at all.

No. Some anarchists are Christians, some are Muslim, some are Hindu, some are Buddhist, some are agnostic, and some are atheist.

No, not necessarily. Living by anarchist principles does not require you to actively promote it. However, don't hide your anarchistic position if someone asks you.

Some do. Anarchy is not a monolith. Some anarchists may be religious.

Anarchy is not chaos. It means no rulers, not no rules. There are still rules but no one person or small group decide what the rules are.

You can promote anarchy ideas and thoughts by discussing with friends and family members (preferably such people who already criticise certain aspects and problems of the capitalist and statist system). When discussing it, try to nudge them to understand that reformist approaches would not suffice in solving the fundamental problems of the system. It is advisable to act patiently and take it slowly in introducing the concepts, in order to not affront your dialogue partner.

Find French Anarchist groups to join. France has a history of anarchism and communism. Paris held a famous commune and battled capitalist and imperialist forces. See where you can find others with anarchist beliefs or organize rallies.

Of course you can! There is no reason you shouldn't be able to be happy just because you are an anarchist.

Capitalism (as in free enterprise) is not necessarily excluded from the ideology of anarchism anymore than communism. Both communism and capitalism can be anarchistic provided everything is done on a mutually voluntary basis.