"Awareness is empowering."

[mzflux]

Occupy Wall Street: Changing the Topic
By Peter Dreier, E.P. Clapp Distinguished Professor of Politics, Occidental College

Posted: 11/1/11 10:26 AM ETThe Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement has changed our national conversation. At kitchen tables, in coffee shops, in offices and factories, and in newsrooms, Americans are now talking about economic

Comments

[mzflux]

No and it's not over yet. You have to keep in mind, we're only two months into the movement. These things take time, energy, and dedication.

This isn't a matter of "attention raising", as you put it, but rather a matter of raising awareness. The movement is still expanding. Your comment seems a little odd. MLK's 1963 March on Washington, while definitely a good thing, was certainly not enough. It's what followed afterward: a long process of boycotts, sit-ins, protests, and other forms of civil disobedience. A movement like this requires both solidarity and passion to fuel it for years.

It's never enough. That's why you persevere.

(Sorry, I'm a compulsive editor.)

[mzflux]

but the majority of people I know who are involved in this movement...seem to think that sleeping outside is enough

I'm sorry, but I don't believe you. I've been heavily involved with Occupy Oakland, Occupy San Francisco, and Occupy Sacramento. We have been organizing boycotts, sit-ins, teach-ins, marches. We are two months in and you are already losing enthusiasm. Sounds like maybe you should branch off and start a separate occupation, perhaps one that is primarily focused on women's issues.

This might encourage you. Corporate owned media loves to focus on the few acts of vandalism on the banks committed by 40-50 black bloc anarchists, but this is what Occupy Oakland achieved last week, on Wednesday. We shut down the fifth largest port in the Unites States. Conservative estimates start at 10,000 people. On-site reporters estimate there were up to 100,000 people. The last general strike in Oakland was over 65 years ago.

Those aren't cars you're seeing. Those are people.

[mzflux]

Nothing is above reproach. Nevertheless, I'm in for the long haul. Remember, this is just the beginning. You have the power to take this movement into your own hands and mold it as you see fit.

[mzflux]

Madelyn C. Lecke
Washington Afro-American
09-16-1995
MARCH-ONE MILLION STRONG.

Thirty-two years ago when Martin Luther king Jr. and others were planning that August 1963 March on Washington there were naysayers who said it wouldn't work.

Reporters at the Afro-American Newspapers remember vividly the late Carl Murphy, publisher, saying to all of his employees in Baltimore, Washington and Richmond that was going to be the march of the century and he wanted all his staff members - as well as reporters and photographers - to be on hand to witness that historic event.

Up until the morning of the march, the White media was saying that no one was coming, but then...

Please, don't give up yet. We've got a long way to go.

Good article...

[mzflux]

My only problem with it is that I see plenty of criticism but not many direct solutions, except perhaps a general call for more diversity and a clearer set of demands.

Two follow-up articles via The Nation

Where Are the Women at Occupy Wall Street? Everywhere-and They're Not Going Away

Race and Occupy Wall Street

Re: Good article...

[mzflux]

First link is botched. Should be: http://www.thenation.com/article/164197/where-are-women-occupy-wall-street-everywhere-and-theyre-not-going-away

[bludstone]

It'll be 2 years, give or take a few months.

Because thats how long these things always take.