If you want to build a ship, do not drum up people to collect wood, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea
I hope that many by now have heard about Occupy Wall Street (OWS) and perhaps even a local Occupy. I know that there might be some confusion as to what this movement does or does not stand for. In this blog I will explain my point of view of this movement. Please know that I speak only for myself and not for that of others or the OWS movement. (As a note anyone’s opinion on this movement is just that- their opinion.)
Whats it all about?
First things first, I thought I would begin with what the movement is about for many people. This link includes the declaration of the occupation of New York City as approved by the General Assembly (GA) on September 30th, 2011. In it contains many of the reasons on why people are protesting. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list as people have their own voice and reasons as to why they personally are out there.
What’s the list of demands?
This is thing that many people are getting stuck on- even the mainstream news. Many just don’t “get it.” Unlike other protests such as the civil rights movement or protests against war- this doesn’t seem to have a focal point or a list of demands on how things need to change. The cliff notes answer to this is “yes that is correct.” Unlike other movement it is not about what one thing is wanted, but what isn’t wanted. (For more info on this topic check out this website. I think it’s does a good job addressing this and much of the concern from mainstream media.)
I know that ambiguity makes many people uncomfortable, but please try to understand that not everything in life can be reduced down to one simple sentence. We have become so use to our media portraying everything this way. They take the situation, digest it and hand it to us in a nice pretty package on how we should feel about something-No thinking required! Unfortunately this doesn’t apply here. There is no simple package for you on this. This movement requires you to think, feel, and listen to your own internal compass on this. Why? Because this is much more than a simple protest, or even a movement, this is a societal revolution aiming to transform the society from the insanity that it has become- and for the better.
Additionally, my view on it is that it is about people waking up and recognizing that what we have blindly accepted as our society is no longer working for just about everyone except for those who have exploited our blind acceptance. The fact is that it hasn’t worked for a very long time- but it has been easier to accept than to question. As a society we have become apathetic in regards to politics and our society, and we care more about whether Lindsey Lohan has shown up to her court appearance than whether or not our neighbor is going to lose their home because they can’t find work. Our priorities have become skewed on so many, many levels (see the declaration of occupation listed above for a brief list) and this is a form of course correction. People are beginning to ask the important questions that we should have been asking all along. There is an active reconnection of the people to their society going on, in which people are willing to participate in the building of a better society rather than sit by and accept what is handed to us. I see firsthand the people coming together to form community who would normally would not associate, and to participate in direct democracy. (More on this later) I personally, have never been prouder to be an American than I am right now.
Why am I out there?
If you were to ask me why I am out there protesting, I have many reasons. For those who know me, know that I already have a full schedule as do many other that are out there. You know that I do in fact work full time and attend school. I have an active social life and prior obligations. So why am I willing to give up just about all of the little free time I have, to go hang out with some dirty hippies? Well, it isn’t just about dirty white hippies without jobs as the mainstream media would like you to know. There are all kinds of people out there- those employed and unemployed, young and old, singles and those with families, as well as those of all religions and races all fighting together for their own beliefs and in solidarity with others. There are even people like me, that have been unaffected by the effects of the down economy or the list of many other things that others are standing for, yet we are out there shoulder to shoulder with those that have. I know the reason I am out there is because I support this awakening that is going on within so many people. I support the active participation of people within their society and within politics. I believe in direct democracy. I believe in community and tolerance, and peaceful protesting. I believe in supporting the liberties of other humans being. I believe in altruism. I believe in people having a voice.
Direct democracy and OWS:
Once of the most interesting parts in being involved in this is to experience DIRECT democracy first hand. In our society, we have a democratic system known as indirect democracy or representative democracy in which the elected few represent the voice of the group. In the occupy movements, everyone in the group has a voice and participates in GA in which they can propose the direction that the group might take. There are a series of hand gestures that are used to communicate if you agree or disagree or need a point of clarification that is recognized by an rotating impartial moderator/ facilitator. There are no leaders, and everyone is treated as an equal. This may be the one time in your life in which you can experience this direct democracy first hand, and for this reason alone I encourage you to come and sit in on this process at your local occupation. It is truly is amazing.
I would also like to point out what is known as the “OWS 8” or the eight rules for a movement without rules, led by No One and making decisions by Consensus. Many of the local occupy movements use this as a template:
1. Nonviolent discipline, no matter what. Zero tolerance for any violence whatsoever, including verbal.
2. Unity of message & across orgs and people. There should be a consistent message & demands coming out & activists should know it & share it.
3. There must be a long-term and coherent strategy, not just tactics and actions (no matter how clever) that are not connected in some way.
4. Security forces/police should be seen as included in the movement, not as adversaries. Ultimately they are accountable to the people.
5. Keep larger audience (national and international) in mind when framing the message. The goal is to win people over, not to alienate.
6. Defensive strategies never win. Don’t respond to verbal attacks or hostile propaganda by using the language of the opponent. Reframe.
7. Claim victory whenever possible. It’s important for morale and enthusiasm.
8. Keep anger in check /w solidarity actions & humor
View of police and media
This is another subject which tends to ruffle many feathers. Once again, in addressing this subject and other subjects in this blog, I speak for myself and not the movement. I am sure that some of the ways in which you have stumbled across OWS is linked to the topic of police violence. There does seem to be a divide going on, on this subject in the media. Some more conservative news corps explains that protesters’ violent action (in some cases supposedly throwing paint, bottles or rock at police in FULL RIOT GEAR) have caused and justified police reaction or retaliatory use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and other devices such as in the case of Occupy Oakland. (Then again those news corporations are the ones who will be mostly affected by this movement so I understand their position and their skew.) However, there has also been the surfacing of many live videos and photos taken by numerous reporters and protesters as these events have unfolded; creating an alternative outlet for news and media other than through big news corporations. For the first time in our history, peaceful protests and social movements can be aided by technology and show the other side to big corp “news”. So much so that Google “received a request from a local law enforcement agency to remove YouTube videos of police brutality.”If there is nothing to hide, then why the request? In other words, I implore you to investigate this through numerous forms of media (both big and small) and decide for yourself. Or better yet, go down to your local occupy and see for yourself that this is a peaceful protest.
Anyways, back to MY view on police in regards to how it relates to OWS. I personally view police as individuals rather than as a whole. I view each as their own person with their own fears, hopes, and agendas just as I do for everyone. They too have a job to do and are playing a role in this, just as everyone else is. I can tell you that during one protest in which I was face to face with police, I could look in to the faces of different cops and tell you where they stood. Whether it be in support of OWS but they were just doing their job, whether they were on the fence, or whether they were fearful and uncertain in which this movement meant for them. There are even cops that have joined the “OccupyPolice” movement that support this cause. Even in a group setting, there are those groups such as the Albany, NY police that have chosen to disobey the mayor and governor’s orders to use force to break up the protest. In contrast there are groups such as the Oakland police that have used excessive force on protesters. So the actions of the police as individuals and as a group have been diverse and should be treated as such.
For me, personally, I view those officers and politicians (or anyone for that matter) who elect to use excessive force against peaceful protesters as fearful. Many could be fearful of uncertainty, or if this movement is for or against them. Perhaps they are afraid of change, and the intrusion of their comfort zone. So rather than meeting that fear with hostility, frustration or exclusion, I choose to meet it with compassion, education and inclusion. The truth is that these police officers are part of this movement whether they recognize it or not. We stand together for many things that can have a positive impact on their job security and retirement/ pension plans. We also stand for those things that would have a positive impact on their families and children through school reform, healthcare and better opportunities.
Last Thoughts
I hope that this blog has in some ways explained my views on this. I could keep going, though I figured it would be longer than what most would want to read. I don’t expect you, the reader, to take my views as fact, since they are in fact only my views. I do encourage you to investigate your own thoughts and feeling about this movement, and to come to your own stance on it. I encourage you to not let fear and uncertainty of the future sway your stance on this movement. If our society and those societies of the world are to be better for everyone, it requires a leap of faith. It requires us to love and care for strangers as they are part of ourselves. It requires us to adventure bravely into the unknown and trust that everything will be ok.
This movement is for you, by you. We are the 99%
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