Over the past few days, the Occupy campaigns in many cities across the country were curtailed by arrests and “clean ups” of the areas they “occupied”; the most recent being the breakup of the encampment in Zuccotti Park in New York City. Cries of foul play on the part of officials and law enforcement. Accusations of the movement being just a “bunch of whiners”…the “have’s” versus the “have not’s”…right wing versus left wing. All played before the live cameras of the media and the live feeds of social networking. And one wonders just what all this effort by purported anarchists is truly accomplishing.
Just what does the “Occupy” movement truly occupy?
The Occupy movement’s camping out in city parks across the country is a staged drama. The movement is probably the most dramaturgical theatrical performance in this country since the protests against the Vietnam War and racial inequality back in the 1960s. It has changed our country’s dialogue by reminding all Americans, of all walks of life, about the real problems we have in this country, especially inequality. It caused many disheartened people to become engaged in speaking out against the direction that our country seems to be headed in. And like with the protests in the 1960s, it has brought police tactics on peaceful protestors to the eyes of all of us through the media.
However, changing our country’s dialogue is only part of what needs to take place to bring about change. The issues that are before all of us cannot be categorically summarized into neat little catchphrases like "Corporate Greed", "prosecute Wall Street", "End Corporate Persondhood" or "the 1% are the problem." The issues we face today are ones that go beyond borders…personal borders and even our country’s borders…and cannot be truly addressed by creating large factions of enemies, but can be overcome by all of us coming together to seek true, mutually beneficial solutions. This isn't easy, and requires tough work by smart people to find the answers that can tackle these problems.
To remain mindful of the purpose of the Occupy movement and reinvigorate common sense in the minds and hearts of all of us, more “staged dramatics” will need to occur in the upcoming days, months, and years…a much better option than anarchy and violent demonstrations of hatred and force in times of dismay like these. People in Egypt and Libya overthrew dictators in the throes of violence and bloodshed. Yet today many would say they are no better off than before. Revolutionary change is a drastic measure that can arrive too quickly and can turn harmful to the original ideals that the revolution is fighting for just as quickly.
We in this country do not need a fight on the streets, or in the courts, or in the political arena. All of these are fights that do nothing to truly fix the divisions that have brought about the problems we face with the disparities we have. What is needed is for all of us to take on these challenges in our minds and come up with true solutions worthy of these challenges that we face. We can overcome our problems if we decide to purposefully go about accomplishing this in a thoughtful and practical manner…by seeking understanding, seeking truth, and working together on real solutions that work for all.
We need paths forward that work for everyone, even those who are reluctant to the change. In our culture, it is very easy to become lost and distracted by those trying to change our perception of our world for their own gain. And when our own perceptions fail us, the drama of the truth becomes effective toward the occupation of our minds in resetting the ideals for this country.
With that in mind, I tip my hat to Occupy Wall St. and the Occupy movements around the country.Their dramatics and the level of thought and disparity that their dramatics have brought to our collective consciousness as a nation deserves our thanks, appreciation and our commitment to come together as one to seek solutions.
Over the past few days, the Occupy campaigns in many cities across the country were curtailed by arrests and “clean ups” of the areas they “occupied”; the most recent being the breakup of the encampment in Zuccotti Park in New York City. Cries of foul play on the part of officials and law enforcement. Accusations of the movement being just a “bunch of whiners”…the “have’s” versus the “have not’s”…right wing versus left wing. All played before the live cameras of the media and the live feeds of social networking. And one wonders just what all this effort by purported anarchists is truly accomplishing.