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ISBN: 9781551528779

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This Has Always Been a War

The Radicalization of a Working-Class Queer

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A powerful, personal critique of capitalist patriarchy as seen through the eyes of a queer radical.

Capitalism has infiltrated every aspect of our personal, social, economic, and sexual lives. By examining the politics of gender, environment, and sexuality, we can see the ways straight, cis, white, and especially male upper-class people control and subvert the other – queer, non-binary, BIPOC, and female bodies – in order to keep the working lower classes divided. Patriarchy and classism are forms of systemic violence which ensure that the main commodity of capitalism – a large, disposable, cheap, and ideally subjugated work force – is readily available. There is a lot wrong with the ways we live, work, and treat each other.

In essays that are both accessible and inspiring, Lori Fox examines their confrontations with the capitalist patriarchy through their experiences as a queer, non-binary, working-class farm hand, labourer, bartender, bush-worker, and road dog, exploring the ugly places where issues of gender, sexuality, class, and the environment intersect.

In applying the micro to the macro, demonstrating how the personal is political and vice versa, Fox exposes the flaws in believing that this is the only way our society can or should work. Brash, topical, and passionate, This Has Always Been a War is not only a collection of essays, but a series of dispatches from the combative front lines of our present-day culture.

Contributors

Lori Fox

Lori Fox is a queer, non-binary working-class writer and journalist. Their work, which focuses on issues of class, gender, sexuality, the environment, and the messy places these things intersect, has appeared with The Guardian, Vice, and the Globe and Mail, among many other outlets. They are currently working on their MFA in Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia through the optional-residency program. When they aren’t writing, they’re probably fishing or gardening, because self-sufficiency is both an expression of joy and a form of anti-capitalist rebellion. This Has Always Been a War is their first book.
Chapter Title Contents Contributors Pages Year Price

Preview

In “At Your Service ” author Lori Fox recounts their time in the service industry between 2003 -2020 to provide a case study of the culture of capitalism. Discussing culture under … 26 $2.60

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In “Creatures of Impossible and Tremendous Beauty” the author recounts their experiences with femininity and being “like a girl.” Discussing childhood expectations and … 19 $1.90

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In “The Happy Family Game” the author reflects on their relationship with their family. Discussing the idea of a ‘happy family’, the nuclear family, family under … 21 $2.10

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In “Every Little Act of Cruelty” the author explores their relationship with their father. Discussing anger, violence, fear, trauma, secrets, inheritance, mental illness, and abuse. 24 $2.40

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In “Where the Fuck Are We in Your Dystopia?” the author explores their love and issues with the genre of feminist dystopian fiction. Discussing gender roles, the #MeToo movement, … 24 $2.40

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In “Other People’s Houses” the author explores housing or more importantly the lack of affordable, sustainable and accessible housing for working-class people across Canada. … 29 $2.90

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In “The Hour You Are Most Alone” the author explores the darkest point in their life. Discussing their mental health, depression, abuse, cyclical poverty, suicidal ideation, recovery, … 11 $1.10

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In “After the Hungry Days” the author explores money and financial hardship. Discussing their time in a psychiatric ward, mental health, dignity, the interconnection of poverty and … 12 $1.20

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In “Call You by Your Name” the author delves into their relationship with Lucky. Discussing relationships, cheating, bush life, camp relationships, abuse, manipulation, sex, shame, … 73 $7.30

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In “This Has Always Been a War” the author recounts their time working in the vineyards, orchards, and gardens of Naramata, Salt Springs, and Penticton, British Columbia. Discussing … 39 $3.90

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In “The Lame One” the author reflects on their life back in the Yukon at the age of 35. Discussing their recovery from severe poverty, alcohol abuse, mental health episodes, … 18 $1.80