by B. D. Schiers
The Occupy Movement is truly phenomenal, not just in what it has accomplished, but in the unique way it operates. It is determined, creative, resourceful, ever-evolving and best of all, undefined.
Opponents, especially in the right wing media, are constantly calling for them to “define their demands,” “list their grievances,” and “write out the specifics.” The claim is that the movement doesn’t know what they want and have no coherent message to offer.
Their “message” is loud and clear, but many people don’t see it because they are too busy looking for their own preconceptions of what a movement should be. While there are many similarities to the civil rights movement, the anti-war movement and other movements throughout history, OWS is a one-of-a-kind phenomenon. They aren’t trying to change specific rules, they are changing the game itself. Different groups in different cities have drawn up their specific concerns and proposals, but the movement as a whole has yet to make a definitive charter of demands, and they might never make one in the future. It doesn’t matter if they do or don’t, they are succeeding just fine with or without.
They are their own message, but even many of their biggest supporters don’t always get it. They are often confused that an itemized list of objectives hasn’t been published. Nearly three months since the first tent was erected in Zuccotti Park, no hierarchy, no singular leadership, no centralized governance, and no manifesto.
In the meantime numerous well-wishers on the left have offered a flood of suggestions with hopes that the movement will adopt them as their own. One celebrated progressive went so far as to publish his list of “10 Things We Want: A Proposal for Occupy Wall Street” on his highly-publicized blog. While I believe everyone’s intent to be sincere, critics have suggested that some people are trying to co-opt the movement.
Input and suggestions are always appreciated, a list of what their goals and objectives should be, are far from necessary. The revolution will not be categorized.
The Occupy Movement is what it is. It doesn’t need to be anything else. It is doing fine, growing rapidly, expanding internationally, and making a historical impact of unrivaled proportion.
© B. D. Schiers, 1v99 & 1v99.blogspot.com
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