Good day my friends, followers and family! I apologize for the tardiness of today's blog, but as I have explained, my resurgence in the Occupy movement is quite time consuming. However, I am making some real progress on my time management skills and though it is late, it is here. Today I am going to be asking you to go above and beyond the responsibility of critical reader; I need you to read twice. You do not have to, however the blog entry will make much more sense if you do. I encourage you to read this publication by Margaret Wente of the Globe & Mail called "The Occupiers Leave the Building".
Now that you are done getting the necessary background information, let us move forward with today's post. I was not directly approached to write this reply by those who called out for it, the 'Campaign to build 'One Big Campaign'', however a close friend who received the feed passed it along to me. I have done the best I think I could to clarify and address the issues presented by her which are the same as many I have heard in many a public forum. Comments are especially welcome. As always, I continue to be humbled by the number of you who have found something valuable in my words. Thank you and as always, Love Each Other.
In response to...
Firstly, I’d
like to begin by stating some very important facts for anyone reading this
piece. I am not an Anarchist, Communist, Marxist, Socialist and also not a
capitalist. I am not left wing, right wing, conservative, liberal, republican
or democrat. I am not Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, or Pagan. My
name is John and I am a human being who is an active participant in the Occupy
movement (not the Occupy Wall Street movement). What I speak of I speak from
experience in my community, with my neighbors, with my fellow Occupiers. With
that said, let us jump right in.
May
Day: In many places in North America the media is labeling the May Day effort
as a failure much like you have. Unfortunately this could not be further from
the truth—especially in Halifax where I participated in one such demonstration.
Did we have thousands of people? 150; maybe. Did we make the National news?
Nope. Did any significant change come as a result of our demonstration? Not
even a smidgen. I can understand how one might view this as a failure. Now
permit me to clarify the easily made error in perception.
May
Day has been perhaps one of the most successful events Occupy has had here in
Nova Scotia, and not because of numbers. Its success stems as a result of the
participants of that event. Yes there were many Union workers there as it was,
after all, International Worker’s Day. However, what you and those like you who
have not participated in the Occupy movement missed was who those other faces
were that came down to join us. I don’t know them. Over 50 people with whom I
had never had previous contact with attended and participated in the after
event, which was strictly Occupy. They
were strangers to the Occupy movement ... no, not strangers, new friends.
I
can completely understand, based on the measurements we have used in the past
for judging the success or failure of such a protest how it could be seen as a
failure. This is just not the case. Why did North Americans not come out en
masse as our brethren in Europe? I have no concrete answers, only speculation:
the same as any individual has whether they are a politician, a professor, a
white collar worker (though that may be a good place to start asking) and yes,
believe it or not, even journalists. My speculation (because I am responding to
yours already) is that we here in the land of the privileged have absolutely no
concept of suffering. We have no clue on what it means to be truly oppressed
(these are general statements, as there are many sub-groups within our society
that have). We tolerate the injustice and the oppression out of guilt. Knowing
how little the world has compared to us, it is easy for the average citizen to
say to themselves, ‘Well, I just lost the right to wear a mask in public but I
guess that’s OK. At least I still have my iPod.’ That is the generalization of
my speculation and as there is much more to address, I will press forward.
There were other nasty moments. In San Francisco,
black-clad activists trashed the Mission District, smashing windows with
crowbars, spattering storefronts with eggs and paint, and spray-painting
anarchy symbols on parked cars. Their targets were not greedy banks and big
corporations, but small shops, restaurants and a housing project. “This just
seems like they’re frustrated with their impotency at this point,” Jeremy
Tooker, owner of Fourbarrel Coffee, told the San Francisco Chronicle. Some
protesters invaded a building belonging to the Roman Catholic Church and
refused to leave. “We are not the 1 per cent. I don’t get it,” said a spokesman
for the archdiocese. “I think it’s an indication of how confused the Occupy
movement has become in terms of its goals and its focus.”
Black-clad
activists? Right from the start, for anyone who has participated in Occupy,
this is not the typical description I have come to hear associated with it from
the press. I’ve grown accustomed to dirty, pot smoking, hippie; spoiled brat;
lazy bums; and a number of other vulgarities (direct or implied) but have yet
to see any Occupier who fits this description. The first tell that people are *using* Occupy as a means to further
their own agendas and not that of the people is violence. Occupiers are not
anarchists either. There are Occupiers who carry anarchist ideologies but when
they enter the Occupy environment, they are Occupiers first and Anarchists
second. There is a difference.
The
media failing to make the distinction is a big part of the problem with the *image* of Occupy and only furthers
confusion over its motives. The lack of credible and concrete association to
the Occupy movement or the fact that the Occupy movement itself has separated
itself from this type of behavior is a clear sign that these actions are as big
a concern to Occupy as they are to the public and the government. We are, after
all, part of the same community. It is
fortunate that we do not have any Black Bloc or any such extremists here
in Halifax. Perhaps if we did I would have some experience to share with you.
As it is, I do not.
You
will be elated to hear that Occupy addressed that flaw; and not just my own
local movement. I recall seeing a few others with similar statements. The
statement? Well, in not so many words—that Occupy does not condone, nor approve
of the use of drugs or alcohol and, in the interest in the wide variety of
beliefs and ideologies of all those participating, does not tolerate their
usage on site. Violence and sexual harassment is strictly prohibited and when
the situation is not able to be resolved or endangers the safety of those
inside the encampment, the proper authorities will be contacted and asked to
intervene.
This
policy serves two purposes: to show respect to the public we were trying to
reach, and to respect the inclusiveness of the Occupy movement. This policy was
proposed and passed through our General Assembly. On top of this, posted at
every entrance to the encampment (we were fenced in), we also organized our own
security force. Armed with radios and kindness, our Safety and Security team—on
many occasions—helped to de-escalate many situations that could have turned out
very differently. Though mostly composed of experienced and trained security
personnel, we also shared our knowledge and experience to others who quickly
became strong and effective communicators able to bridge misunderstandings and
miscommunications.
The
five “scruffy” (not sure what their
facial hair has to do with anything) individuals arrested were very specific
and individual cases. Here you supposedly have five individuals (the CNN report
actually used the word “alleged”
about a dozen times) who have attended Occupy activities as well as other
social movement group activities such as the Anarchist’s meeting where the
undercover FBI agent first encountered these men (despite the FBI claiming they
do not infiltrate activist groups). An Anarchist’s group meeting where they
left because the Anarchists felt they were too aggressive and too quick to
resort to violence. If an Anarchist group finds them too extreme, how exactly
do you think that the Occupy movement would perceive them? These individuals
did not spawn from the Occupy movement; their ideologies existed prior
to the spawning of the Occupy movement. This is a great example of a journalist
or media outlet misleading the public, planting seeds of misinformation and
creating opinion through a non-existent connection.
Though
I do not disagree that Occupy has definitely lost a significant amount of
public support, I do not believe it was ever seeking sympathy. Occupy is about
empowerment and not about being a victim. We have all been the victim. Occupy
provides a new approach to injustice: do not sit and wait for justice, go out
and make it happen (through non-violence and peaceful means). This does not
always mean a demonstration; it can be as simple as voting, signing a petition
or doing in your community what your governments won’t. It teaches the idea
that individuals, regardless of belief, can come together as human beings in a
collective and help to create a sustainable and self-reliant community without
the necessity of the bureaucracy of waiting for politicians to act.
Occupy
was nothing more than a child when it began. Many of those involved were virgin
to the activist lifestyle; absolute strangers to advocacy and protest. Like any
child who ventures into a new experience in life, they lacked knowledge and
education. That in no ways affects the
credibility of the message(s) they have been attempting to share; and many are
they. However, like all children who make mistakes or go through new
experiences, Occupy has learned; it has grown; and it will continue to do so.
This is not your traditional social activist movement; if it was we’d only be
talking about it once a year on National Occupy Day like we do so many others;
maybe an International Occupy Week. You say the media’s infatuation has cooled
and yet, here we are.
The
message is confusing only if you’re looking for a message that defines every
ideology and belief within this all inclusive social movement; you are going to
be waiting a long, long time. Are you prepared to decide on such a statement to
represent an entire collective of this magnitude? No one person amongst the
Occupy groups has that authority; no one occupation carries that power. If it
is a 100% clear cut message you seek to generalize this movement, it will not
happen. The whole purpose is not be generalized and pigeon-holed into a niche
which would make it much easier for the media and the powers that be to put us
away in a nice little category and push us out of the public eye. That you
continue to be confused means you will continue to seek understanding; the ever
present 'why'. You can only find what you seek from individuals and small
sub-groups within the movement who share particularly specific ideas. The
difference between Occupy and all movements beforehand is that our ‘audience
or demographic’ (not the words I would use but words that express the
idea that most readers will understand) is all inclusive. We’re not after just
anyone; we want to include everyone.
As
for regaining public *support* (not sympathy), this has already begun.
With the coming of spring and the closure to a forceful, violent and shocking
eviction & arrest also comes a rejuvenation; a new energy; a new strength;
a new evolution within Occupy. Occupy is not filled with the typical stigma of
the personalities and characters that have been portrayed—and those characters
they do have are much more than merely their outward image. They possess
education; university degrees (in some cases PhD’s and Masters); intelligent
and caring individuals who chose a more natural and environmentally oriented
lifestyle. Should they be branded so despicably when their very creed is to
take care of all living things? The media glorifies those who would send our
brethren to die for oil, land, money and power but put down and vilify those
who would help to create a sustainable, environmentally conscious society.
There seems to be flawed logic in there. And people question the motives of the
Occupy movement: What about the motives of our leaders? How about the motives
of corporations and financial institutions? And what about the motives of media
outlets who refuse to offer and report unbiased accounts of what is really
happening, not just with Occupy, but at all times?
I
am pleased to see that you publicly acknowledge that there are failures among
the capitalist system. I agree with you whole-hardheartedly on this subject. I
also think that there are as many failures, or more in some cases, in other
forms of economies—including socialist and communistic economies. That you
interpret Occupy to be adamantly opposed to capitalism is easy to understand
with signs that demand the deconstruction of the capitalist system. Personally,
I don’t believe in that but I am aware enough to recognize the inherent and
apparent flaws in the system and because of that I can sympathetically
understand their point of view and see some of my own in there. Because I am
able, like so many of all who are participating in Occupy, to identify with
people, I can respect them and get along with them quite swimmingly despite our
differences in ideologies or beliefs.
Giant
squid? I have nothing for you there. Publicity stunt? I wasn’t present and as
this is the first time I have heard of it I have nothing to offer as an
explanation or opinion. Although it
sounds like it was a lot of fun while at the same time drawing attention to
Occupy. PR gimmick perhaps? Regardless, it did at least that. Though it won’t
create the world of tomorrow as I envision it, it does carry one essential
necessity: happiness; people had fun, people laughed, people experienced joy.
Happiness is essential and spreads as quickly as anger; if not faster. A little
break in taking oneself too seriously is the best way to take a step back and have
a moment to reflect on all that lies before you; and a glimpse perhaps, into
what is to come.
I
think you perhaps expressed, as best as I can, the take on the Social
Scientists. Honestly, can you blame them? The Occupy movement is the sort of a
once in a lifetime opportunity to study and observe first hand a drastic and
sudden change in human consciousness and thought process. There are very few
times when any person can sit back and say: “Wow! I am living in a truly
historical and unprecedented time that will change the way the world works for
the rest of time.” Very rarely.
And
though I am aware of tragedies that create this form of sentiment I do not
discount the impact they have on society—the sheer magnitude of people from the
vast majority of all labels, groups & associations the world has ever seen
are coming together. They are joining forces; slowly but it is happening. They
are finding bonds in those they used to fight because of a failed understanding
and respect of ideologies. Journalists have a prize for when moments like this
that the social scientists find themselves in, it’s called a Pulitzer.
It
will take much, much more for the Occupy movement to ‘melt away’ then what has happened. It really is too big to just
disappear (and I’ve tried to avoid all the slogans and jargon associated with
Occupy and keep it straightforward & easy to understand). If ever the
Occupy movement disappears from the public eye and mainstream media you can be
assured they, like early Christian cults
and others like it, are not gone—just in hiding for fear of persecution.
Thankfully,
the powers that be have not created the police state necessary for that type of
disappearance; however both here in Canada as well as in the United States of
America it is a reality that is not far off.
I
have done my best to address the points, issues, concerns and opinions raised
in your article, Margaret. It is no easy
task to communicate thoughts, emotions and ideologies from such a wide variety
of individuals—and individual collectives—among the Occupy movement. I have
written what I feel is a response that should help to illuminate some of the
mystery of darkness you and others may have in regards to the Occupy movement.
I hope that it is enough to at least convince you that there is some focus
within the chaos, because there is.
This
is sufficient enough to lead you down to your local Occupy movement—but
remember when you get down there that there will be those who you will disagree
with but that is perfectly acceptable. I am certain that if you approach the
situation with an open mind you will find at the very bare minimum, one
individual, one individual collective, or one individual ideology, idea, or
belief, that you can personally relate to. What have you go to lose? Skip the
coffee shop sit-down-break and take it to go. We’re waiting with open arms and
open hearts. We don’t have all the answers because we’re still not whole yet.
We’re missing you.
