Check out this article that was printed in the Economist, Oct. 8, 2011.
Some important points are raised in this article. We really need to think about what it is that we want out of the Occupy Protests.... not just raising awareness, but also begin thinking about what actions can be taken, what it is we really want. If it's truly, at heart, about the power of big corporations, then we need to examine in order to understand, and then look for alternatives to the neoliberal market-based capitalist hegemony dominated the world right now. But this will require quite a shift. Action, not just words.
I will make some broad generalizations here (and am the first to admit that I need much more education in this area…) but this is more just a stream of thoughts in response to the little I've had time to read about the Occupy movements/protests.
I think there are different levels of action that people can and are willing to take. I think that, unfortunately, a lot of people find it easier to talk about change but are less willing to let go of certain luxuries in life that will actually usher in this change, for which they so passionately protest. Also, unfortunately, sometimes it's just laziness, or lack of awareness on the part of everyday people who are content in their own lives, not willing to work outside the box of regular routine to make even the simple changes that have been suggested via numerous avenues ever since the “green” movement started. Other times, it is that many of us fall into the trap of the system – we incur debt, we suddenly take on other financial responsibilities like mortgages or car payments or credit card debt, or we become responsible for others (such as becoming caretakers, having children, etc.). Sometimes “change” just seems out of our control.
But, as much as I hope it eventually leads to action, we should not discount the impact of raising awareness... I think it's the first step, or the first level. The things people post on facebook or twitter, read about and discuss with friends/family/colleagues, and then engage in civil society by having protests, marches, etc. – these are the first steps. But by all means they are only the VERY BEGINNING. As I mentioned, the next, and most important step is to take action. To live what you preach, and to keep spreading the word. Because these action are much more dangerous to the system than a few (or more than a few) people camping out in parks and holding signs, shouting slogans. But it's only dangerous if we keep spreading the word, raising the awareness to the very doable actions THAT WE TAKE. There is a tipping point, a critical mass that can be achieved where, with our actions, we will outweigh that against which we fight.
A final note – it is easy for me to speak this or write this, but I know, as well as anyone, how easy it is to become trapped in the cycle. As an independent student who has incurred quite a bit of debt, I more-than-likely will find myself in a job for the next two years in an industry against which I am fundamentally opposed. However, I am burdened by the debt, which I incurred because I needed to get a degree to compete in the job market (or so I was told). And so, just like everyone else, I become dependent on the industry jobs that will pay me enough to pay down my debt quickly, so that I may be free to move onto the next phase of my life. This is the cycle that we somehow need to break. Let's start brainstorming!
