Photo credit: Mickey Z.
Mickey Z. -- World News Trust
June 16, 2012
“I don't believe in charity. I believe in solidarity. Charity is so vertical. It goes from the top to the bottom. Solidarity is horizontal. It respects the other person. I have a lot to learn from other people.” --Eduardo Galeano
"Occupy Wall Street? Is that still happening? I haven't seen anything about it on the news."
I heard those exact words from a friend last week and I'm guessing you've probably encountered some variation of them, too. It seems the Occupy movement (OWS) is back where it started: disappeared by the powers-that-be. The movement grows, the tactics diversify, the police repression escalates -- but for most people, it's a non-story.
Such a situation comes as no surprise for anyone with even a cursory understanding of how the corporate media operates. However, we simply can't let media misinformation stop us from inspiring more of the 99% to take action.
So, how do we circumvent the news blackout?
I'll venture a guess that the best place to start is by building bridges to both fellow activists and all those who suffer most under the dominant culture.
I'd also venture to guess that the best option for doing so is good, old-fashioned solidarity.
Here's an example of what I mean: In late 2011, it was revealed that a NYC-based firm called Point Lookout Capital owned one of the main suppliers of the tear gas used on protestors in Cairo. Occupier John Penley promptly mobilized some OWS compatriots to unite with Egyptian activists in front of Point Lookout Capital's offices in the name of exposing such connections.
The action, of course, didn't impact the global arms industry (yet) but the point made was fundamental: Occupy is ready to stand with anyone fighting against injustice. In the process, we may have seriously altered some perceptions, re: OWS.
There have been other examples of such actions this approach could be a major strategy in increasing the ranks of the Occupy movement.
For instance, since animal rights (AR) activists meet every weekend near Central Park to protest the cruel carriage horse industry, why not send an OWS contingent there to support them and learn about the issue from them? If we truly believe "all of our grievances are connected," this would not only put principle into action but would also likely result in more AR activists getting involved in OWS.
Imagine this: Groups of Occupiers wearing some kind of identifying marker -- our own version of the Red Square (an armband, perhaps?) -- join up with a broad gamut of activists in every community. Not stealing the spotlight, mind you, but continually reinforcing the message that this movement is still here and is ever ready to assist in any and all struggles for justice.
On-site support would far outweigh the corporate media blackout when it comes to winning hearts and minds.
I'll venture one more guess: Directly connecting with and supporting grass roots activists not yet aligned with OWS would be a far more effective method of outreach and far more efficient use of people power than a dozen Occupiers getting arrested each night for marching in the street without a permit.
Mic Check: Once we begin to outnumber the Blue Bloc on a regular basis, taking the streets becomes a whole lot easier.
By reaching out and standing alongside kindred spirits, we are not only demonstrating our solidarity with them and our general commitment to holistic justice, we are also making it more likely that those new comrades will -- in turn -- join up with OWS and spread the good word about the movement.
Sometimes the first step towards solidarity is just showing up.
(Another powerful step would be to begin creating an alternative mode of human culture so when like-minded humans are lured towards OWS, they can readily recognize that another world is indeed possible. Stay tuned for a follow-up article on this concept.)
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Mickey Z. is the author of 11 books, most recently the novel Darker Shade of Green. Until the laws are changed or the power runs out, he can be found on an obscure website called Facebook.
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