Forum Post: How would you spread the Occupy message to the rest of the 99%?
Posted 12 years ago on Dec. 3, 2011, 6:03 p.m. EST by odl
(6)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
I'm interested in what people here think would be the most effective way to communicate the goals and beliefs of Occupy to the people who may not know or understand the movement?
I'm taking about the people who aren't part of the camps, who don't follow on Twitter or Facebook. They don't march or strike. But they have a growing dissatisfaction. They worry about their medical bills, they work hard to pay their mortgage, and they work even harder to make sure their kids don't go without. They're not political people. They're the 99%.
How would you explain the Occupy movement to them? How would you show them that Occupy is working for people like them?
I think it has to be something that unites both ends of the 99% spectrum. We have to find the common ground between the people in tents in the parks and the families struggling under the weight of capitalism.
I'm looking for practical ideas. Radio, TV, newspapers? Maybe something more unconventional. Anything that will spread that message.
Cheers.
Good question. Unfortunately, I don't think anybody can come up with a good answer. However, may I offer up my thought:
As political theory goes, one can almost never win over a person with an opposing political view (that is without an extreme amount of difficulty. It can be done, but the method amounts to one like re-orienting people who have been in a cult; it takes a lot of time. ) One is almost always better of trying to rally those who already share the same or similar political views. That does not make things easy for Occupy.
However, the good news is, if one studies the statistics of the political spectrum, about 52% or so of the people in the 99% are liberal and progressive, and do sympathize with views and goals like those of Occupy. It ought be a matter of activating that 52% to achieve political ends.
While talking percents; 1% is an interesting number. That is often about how much many right vs left elections are won by. It is also interesting to note that is about how many psychopaths there are in a population. I think what Occupy is really up against is the 1% psychopaths; both rich and poor. Some of those who make up the really rich 1%, are in actually quite civic minded and compassionate. They would like to see a better more equal world. I wonder how occupy could tap into that?
"One is almost always better of trying to rally those who already share the same or similar political views. That does not make things easy for Occupy."
Actually, it makes things quite easy for occupy. We simply need to reach out to those who already share the same or similar views. They are there, we locate and organize them. How fucking easy can it get. How many are actively involved in the US OWS movement as it is? Maybe 50,000 on a high end guestimate. That's... I hate math, but some ridiculously tiny fraction of a percent of the population as a whole, right? And look what we've accomplished as far as bringing attention to important issues of economic justice with only this tiny fraction of participants. Well, what if we each went to one hundred homes and of those homes we recruited just, lets say, one new participant. Now we are talking about another 3 million participants across the nation. That my friend, is the beginning of a fucking revolution!
Agree its a start, but now to go forward and make real political change....
If I had a nickel for every person in this forum thinking up another excuse to avoid real radical action I'd be one of the 1%.
"It ought be a matter of activating that 52% to achieve political ends." 'We are the 52%?' Is that going to be the new slogan then?
No, we are really 99%. Its only that 48% don't know it. 99% says it right.
Simplify the message and move on it.
Signed Pledge From Democratic U.S. Congressional Candidates Running In Primaries In 2012 For The Support Of The OWS National Movement. The Quickest Path To REAL change! "Occupy Congress!"
"I pledge in writing that if I am elected to the U.S. Congress my top priorities will be passing legislation that includes the following:
Get Big Money Out Of Federal Politics - Pass the Fair Elections Now Act (S. 750 and H.R. 1404). A law where political candidates for federal office would raise a large number of small contributions from their communities in order to qualify for Fair Elections funding. Contributions are limited to $100.00. Strictly voluntary by the candidate to avoid legal issues. Revise the Fair Elections Now Act to include 100% discount (up from 25%) for TV air time for political advertising.
Create Jobs Now - A ten-year federal program that involves a New Works Progress Administration (WPA) and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to create over 5 million jobs rebuilding America that includes infrastructure banks run by engineers, not politicians to extricate ourselves from the Great Recession now and increase productivity later. Pay for it by taxing all Wall St. financial transactions at 1%. Raises $400 billion a year. A 3% annual surtax on incomes over $1 million. Raises another $200 billion a year.
End The Housing Crisis Now - Congress can and should modify the bankruptcy laws to allow primary residence mortgages to be eligible for restructuring by making banks lower the principal balance on all underwater mortgages to current market value and refinancing these loans to current market interest rates."
Focus attention on the nexus of power and corruption. This what Occupy has done and will do in the future. Its about conducting democracy in the form of GA's W/O asking permission from the powered elite.
By going to a foreclosed home on Dec 6th OWS focuses attention on the power of banks to foreclose on homes, keeping the attention on banks and their corrupt practices.
OccupyCongress, focuses attention on the corrupt Congress and the 1% that bought and paid for Congress. Keeping the focus on Corrupt Congress. BTW IIRC Jesse LaGreca will be in DC this coming week, to read Congress the riot act..
Dump the communist artwork might be a good start. Take steps to ensure that foreign influence is barred from participating in America’s future government most notably Islamic fundamentalists. Stick to known facts and avoid outrageous conspiracy theories. Stop comparing OWS to the Arab spring showing solidarity is one thing but our country and culture is vastly different from the Arabic world. Americas Oligarchy is nothing like the dictators in the Middle East. Our outlook on life in general is way different, just look at the elections in Egypt out of all the people that could have came forward to lead them they chose 2 hardliner Islamic parties that called for Sharia law (look up sharia law before you slam me). Not good people to solidify with. Just the fact that the NY occupiers consider going to Egypt and building bridges with these people terrified me. It also showed a lack of education on Islam and traditional Islamic law amongst the protesters. These peaceful protesters OWS keeps comparing themselves to broke into the Israeli embassy and trapped the diplomats and their families on the roof before they were rescued at the last minute by the military. Not very peaceful if you ask me. Knuckle down and find a leader would help make the movement more appealing. The idea of a faceless movement was fine in the beginning but it is starting to look creepy and destructive to the common man. A leaderless movement that dose not evolve into a movement with a face is nothing short of an Anarchist revolution i.e. no leadership no rules no laws. I agree with a lot of the Ideas coming from this movement don’t get me wrong but if it is so pro free speech, why is it that every time one of your fellow 99% critiques you they are labeled a troll? Another Idea that might make the movement more appealing is educate yourselves on the different kinds of government and how the universal political spectrum works. It is obvious to any educated person most of OWS has no clue were on the scale different forms of government fit. You hear the terms right and left a lot but I don’t think OWS really understands, so I will simplify it. Left is more government power right is less government power. Anarchy is on the far right because there is no government. Monarchy and Fundamentalist is on the far left because these are forms of absolute government control. The forum rule state that people on the right are not necessarily Nazis. News flash Nazism is a combination of two words Nationalist Socialist. Nazism is far left. While you’re at it drop the whole restore Democracy in America idea we never had a democracy in America. America was founded as a republic.
A few unaffiliated websites are selling 99% OWS bumper stickers, t-shirts, etc. The movement should fund making bumper stickers with some of the greatest slogans used on the signs (i.e. "Where's my bailout?") ...to help raise money specifically for the movement and allow those who can't march to advertise their concerns and opinions and at the same time donate extra money to the cause. The public needs to continually be made aware the reality of our state of affairs and the number of people that are in support of change.
Santa visits their homes.
Why not sent foreclosure messages and hand cuffs to banksters?
http://occupywallst.org/forum/i-converted-several-relatives-to-support-ows-durin/
I already explained how I've been doing this. I encourage others to improve upon my explanations.
I would suggest that the OCW movement first put together a cohesive message that points out the many causes of the vast wealth disparity in this country. That is something I have yet to hear or see anywhere. Our country has been taken over by the federal reserve, the treasury, large banks, and other multi-national corporations. When the supreme court allowed for corporations to contribute as much as they want to campaigns, our democratic representation was as good as stolen from us. Multi-national corporations have no loyalty to any national interests. Furthermore, more than half of the largest economies in the world belong to these huge corporations. The large banks and corporations have co-opted our government and we are no longer represented in any meaningful way. When our politicians don't have to abide by the same rules as the people (insider trading is OK for members of congress), don't rely on the same health care plans and retirement plans (SS) the rest of have to; how can they possibly represent us? How 'bout if congress members salaries represent the median income of the districts they represent? How 'bout if they have to rely on SS for retirement and have to abide by the same laws as they enact for the rest of us?
The best way to communicate whatever message OWC street decides to get out, is to use social media and internet advertising to create a major movement of some kind to take place on a given date. A day when everyone is called on to take to the streets in protest, withdraw all their money from banks, only purchase goods and services from independent businesses from that day forward, and so on. No one reads papers any more, television and radio is too expensive. Targeted internet advertising aimed at stories pages with stories that would be read by those interested in the issues of the OWS message is how to spread the word. Combined with social media, this is likely the best way. Of course, if press conferences can be held and news stories generated, that would also help. Get a petition on line for those who support the message to sign. Build that into a story. Hope these suggestions help. I do support the movement. But so far, it has been so lame, that me and everyone I know who support it have not been very inspired by what we have seen.
The message is: We antagonize WallSt. We take the banksters accountable for what they have done.
Excellent, well thought out post. I'm going to put forth an idea that I've had ever since I saw someone post these words: "It's getting really intense in the park".
We should pick a day and invite others to come with us. We would ask for their solidarity, but like myself, I have a job and I couldn't afford to get arrested. But tradition dictates that civil disobedience is a peaceful, form of protest, and to get arrested is the actual goal. Mass arrests mean the front page.
But, we should just pick 10 cities and keep it a secret from the outside world, until it's too late.
The Protest should be worldwide.
I would call it:
"Intensities in Ten Cities"
Anyone want to suggest a list of cities?
Buy the book "It takes a pillage" by Nomi Prins read it , then lend it to your friends and family. At the very least read her blogs and share them. She worked as an exec at Goldman and IMO has written the clearest explanation of what happened why it happened and what we can do to fix it. Granted it's not a soundbite message but for the ones willing to put in the time it will be worthwhile.
Organized consumer boycotts on issues that are important to both democrats and Republicans. And issues neither party will touch like the labeling of genetically modified food. Say you don't buy groceries at Walmart for a month if you can help it and if you can't help it, buy only whole unprocessed foods to show them you care about what you feed your family! Or one about cutting those basic utility bills as much as possible to protest the ineffectiveness of the government in getting these basic services to the people for a reasonable price and how deregulation and privatization have done us no favors. Perhaps an NRA fundraising drive cause even some democrats don't support gun control! Now that would freak the government out, as long as lobbying works, we want GUNS!
Small towns and rural America make up 60% of the population. My mother had not heard of OWS 2 months after the start. Many poor people living in the countryside have no internet or cable TV. To hear the message someone has to tell them, corporate media will tell them nothing. People who are aware of the situation should hand out flyers with information about OWS at supermarkets and gas stations in rural communities.
Six degrees of separation. E-mail everyone you know and have them in turn forward the E-mail to everyone they know and have them do the same. Like a snow ball rolling down hill, if everyone follows through, it just keeps gaining momentum. Word of mouth ( e-mail ) is usually the best advertising. It's just a matter of getting people to take part. Good Luck.
I wouldn't dis the idea and a few people who wouldn't otherwise be reached will be slightly more informed, everything helps, go for it, but as far as something that will offer people a direct route to participation this won't be at all effective.
Exactly "what" does that email say? OWS refuses to speak a specific message. It refuses to establish clear goals. It has no concrete, totally agreed upon "beliefs".
I would not ever forward an Email containing an obscure, differing, undefined message to everyone I know, nor would anyone I know pass it along.
Your vitriolic response shows exactly why the OWS & 99% movements are having "some" difficulty in gaining momentum. But momentum is happening in despite of the anger, fear, and apparent inability to work together of many who post on this site. Because some of the participants are putting out good information and advice. Your difficulty lies in the fact of your present negativity. Get over it and take positive actions.
Just exactly where was I vitriolic? I reported FACTS about what the 99% have SEEN and experienced with their own eyes and ears. If you find that truth to be painful, I'm sorry. You YOURSELF admit that there is "anger, fear, and inability to work together for many" involved here. The 99% CAN SEE THAT. And yet you blame them for pointing it out?
A million people can "put out good information and advice" and that is ALL it will be unless someone ACTS upon it.
Oh, and just a heads up-screaming pretty much anything at the top of your lungs, making accusations against people and companies with no physical evidence to support those accusations, and impeding traffic and the law etc are NOT viewed by normal, sane people as "positive" actions. Think about it.
Again a seriously negative attitude. Dude?
Because OUR government is so fucked-up right now, and because of the growing, multiplying corporate abuses. Of coarse there are people taking to the streets in protest.
But that does not mean that productive work can not begin as well. In support of OWS and the 99%.
See you can choose to bitch and complain. Please get it off your chest. But you can also take ( make an ) effort to advocate for positive action to make the necessary changes needed in this country.
Ragging is only useful as a venting mechanism. Get to work doing something positive. Others will notice as they fulfill their need to vent as well and then perhaps start doing something positive in support of change themselves.
This movement is still very young, but is continuing to grow. Eventually it will get better organized and become a stronger more cohesive force for positive change/growth. Its just that some have more anger to vent than others and others need more time to see that this movement is not going away before they make a decision to join in.
Stop worrying about my attitude and hear what I am saying.
Our government is messed up. Do you think the 99% are oblivious to that? Do you think none of them have noticed their bills getting higher and their paychecks getting leaner? Do you think they think they are still employed when they aren't? OWS has been standing on the street corners "bitching and complaining" about those things. WE KNOW!
I can stand outside my son's room and bitch and complain about what a mess it is and how irresponsible he is and how he's abusing all that he's been given etc, but that solves NOTHING. I can bitch forever with ZERO assurance that at some future point he will clean his room.
So, here's my other options:
I can clean his room myself. That means I am going to have to accept the fact that I am going to be the one who does the work to get the end result that I desire.I can pay someone else to clean it. I can ignore it.I can take all of his "stuff" away from him, and give it to other kids or throw it away or whatever-and thus his room will be clean. *I can complain to everyone I know that my son is a slob and that his room is a mess and make sure that he is known far and wide as a messy, irresponsible, uncaring, UN-thankful brat. And if my husband (sorry...NOT a Dude...dude) or other kids complain about my complaining and bitching and moaning I can say "Your attitude sucks and as someone who lives here, YOU should be doing something positive to change this situation!"
None of those options work for me. And they shouldn't because there is something morally wrong with all of them in some way. But if I'm honest with myself-deeply and brutally honest....deep underneath my frustration, I don't just want a "clean room" do I? No. What I REALLY want is a responsible, helpful, caring, considerate son who voluntarily does his part to keep order and harmony in our home. I want him to see that his actions affect others for good AND bad. I want him to care enough about his fellow housemates that he WANTS to do the right thing. I want my son to be a "good person".
But NONE of my "options" can ever accomplish what I really want can they? My SON, and ONLY my SON has the ability to change who and what he is. He has to make a personal and dedicated choice to BE a "good person" in order to truly become one.
Sure...he might clean his room to shut me up. Or to keep his things. Or he can move out altogether. I would get a clean room. But I would still have a son who only acted to AVOID negative consequences, not because he was trying to do the right thing. And while I've gotten rid of the mess temporarily, I haven't solved what caused it.
All we can do. "Is" all we can do!
Ever here the saying that it takes a village?
We provide the example. We provide the reasoning. Because a child is just that a child. A child is immature and needs guidance and direction. You as an individual can only do so much, it also takes the help and in-put of your husband ( Dudette ). But it also takes the help of the community in which you live. The parents of your child's friends, your child's teachers, your neighbor's. Everyone needs to live up to their responsibility's. Everyone needs to take a moment and remember the Golden Rule and then start applying it in their life. We got to this point in history over time. Decades of being worn down by our employer's. By advertizing. etc.
But people are beginning to wake up and smell the smoke are beginning to see the fires. During this time they are also beginning to see where they let it start getting away from them. Maybe we will all return to some sort of moral awareness during this dilemma. But for that to happen even if only for a little while it will take the community to act as a community.
So be tough don't give-up or give-in. Be positive even if it kills you. Because at least being positive you will be happier and more productive then you could ever possibly be being negative and pessimistic. Reach out and inspire.
I understand what you are saying. I honestly do. But I also understand, from experience, that even in the best of communities and even with the best of examples, human beings can STILL choose not to follow them. I know full grown adults that don't clean their rooms, or anything else. They don't want to, they don't care about it, and they don't care if YOU care about it or not.
Human history is FILLED with examples of societies rising and falling. Of good times and bad times. Of democracy and dictatorships. Of times when people have been very morally aware, and not so much. If you read history enough, you will actually SEE the pattern and understand what usually precipitates the declines and the risings.
But here we are again. I'm not negative about that fact. I'm just pointing out the fact that even at our supposedly advanced state of evolution, we're STILL repeating the patterns of the past.
I am a positive person, and I am happy and productive because I don't allow anyone, or anything to control me or my world in ANY way that isn't absolutely necessary. I accept that human beings will always be human beings and that if I base my own happiness or success on the behavior of others-or my expectations of others-I will almost always be disappointed.
Yes History. You are correct many societies/governments have been overthrown with-in 200 years of their birth. Due to internal rot and corruption. Pretty much the same conditions you see today. A government that does not work for or support it's people anymore.
You are also correct that those who forget lessons/mistakes of the past are destined to repeat them.
So if you aren't here to advocate for positive growth/change/reform? What then are you doing here?
I'm all for positive growth, change, reform. But so far you haven't shown me how you intend to enact growth, change, or reform-so I cannot be sure that I SHOULD or CAN support the direction you intend to take to accomplish those things.
I'm here to watch. Observe. Point out how myself and others in the 99% view certain things in order for you to better represent us-as you claimed that position without bothering to ask how we'd like to be represented. If I had all the answers for our country, I'd have started a movement myself. But you DID start a movement-or at least started something that is vocal about the problems we have. Right now it's a NOUN. I'm waiting to see what it becomes when it's a VERB.
For one I've created and forwarded petitions. For another I've contacted my representatives in government and provided links for others to do the same. I've also publicized on facebook and wiki links. If your just going to stand around and criticize others attempts to make change instead of taking part in trying to guide this movement forward or inspiring others to take part in a positive fashion then your just as bad as those who do nothing because they truly don't care. Be a part of the solution not a part of the problem.
Created and forwarded petitions that say what exactly? My representatives are well aware of their constituents concerns and frustrations, and yes, I have expressed myself to them. My representatives mirror my concerns and have not voted in opposition to my wishes. Yet.
I vote and encourage all of my neighbors to do so as well. I'm here because I want to be informed. That you only want me to voice my agreement, and not my criticisms, then you aren't truly interested in who or what I am and you don't truly care about representing ME or others who think and believe as I do.
On Dec. 5 the following ad will start to appear nationally'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnNazuRXoEc&feature=player_embedded
National General Assembly to Meet in July in Philadelphia
Please support our objective to hold a National General Assembly the week of July 4th 2012 in Philadelphia. The content of the Petition for a Redress of Grievances will be left TOTALLY up to the 876 delegates. Our group, www.the99declaration.org is only a facilitation group which is organizing an open and transparent election of the delegates to the National General Assembly and then will pay for the venue space for the National General Assembly to meet and come up a with a Petition for a Redress of Grievances as authorized by the Constitution. We need your help to make this happen! Email us if you have any questions at the99declaration@gmail.com because this cannot happen without your support.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=B-h8p6xm9pg
https://sites.google.com/site/the99percentdeclaration/
Um....so give money/support to a group of people you don't know, to elect a smaller group of people you don't know, who will then create a petition whose contents everyone else will have zero control over, which will then be delivered to Congress/the Government, which has zero obligation to do anything about it?
United States Supreme Court in 1984 Minnesota Board for Community Colleges v. Knight:
Good luck with that.
Um...... this is a work in progress and requires public participation. It does have substance and a possibility of success. It is more than just marching around with a sign, which at the end of the day just gives tired feet.
The "public" has a million concerns and burdens on it's shoulders already WITHOUT taking on the job of joining an undefined, unclear movement and adding "come up with ideas, methods, and a message" and "dedicate long hours to said undefined, unclear movement in order to make it more defined and clear".
The "public" is never, ever going to participate in an unknown, unclear, nontransparent, movement-because doing so makes no SENSE.
Yeh, I guess we should all just go back to our cubby-holes and just drown in our million concerns and burdens. An attitude like yours is wasteful.
Yeah. Almost as wasteful as spending the past 3+ months and hundreds of thousands of dollars accomplishing.....um.....whatever it is that OWS has accomplished.
You've been here quite a lot and since you are still here I wonder why. It sounds like you, like so many of us, were excited by the movement and sympathized with the 99%, but have become very frustrated by the lack of tangible results? Honestly, is this a fair statement?
I'd say I'm more curious about the movement while at the same time agreeing with SOME of what they do and say, but not all. I'm observing. Staying informed. Watching. Whether I join it or not depends on what it decides to be and what it's goals are. I don't have the time or energy or desire to spend my most precious commodity,....time....on something elusive or undefined. And I seriously find it offensive at most, and naive at the least, to ask or expect the rest of the 99% to do that either.
I was curious too, especially after the October 15th weekend when it spread nation wide / world wide. I was planning to go to my local #occupy but the plans fell through and that's when I started looking around online. I eventually wound up here. Somewhere in that week I found and read the 99% Declaration, and shortly after the Declaration Of Desperation by theghostofthomassjefferson. Have you read either of them? (I'm not asking to be nasty)
I heard that is was "coming" earlier this summer so when it showed up in September, I started watching. Haven't read either one that I know of. New "declarations" seem to surface here weekly.
The Declaration Of Desperation I would call a political art piece. I had a couple of interesting exchanges here with theghostofthomassjefferson which I can send links to. I can't believe that in all of this only three people have commented on it at wordpress, the author, me, and one other person:
http://thedeclarationofdesperation.wordpress.com/
The working group on The 99% Declaration was announced at the NYCGA on October 15th by Michael Pollok. Suddenly the working groups pages were removed from this very website and on November 2nd he wrote a statement about the situation which included "They (NYCGA) seem to think #OWS is their movement to be controlled from NYC where it started". On the other hand, the National GA would be delegates ELECTED by each congressional district, in essence forming a parallel congress. Why will the de-facto leaders of the movement, the NYCGA, not do the democratic thing on consensus and endorse the NGA as per the 99% Declaration so there is a process to divest themselves of their untenable oligarchy? They would and should welcome this relief, yes? Their reasons for not publicly endorsing the NGA are growing highly questionable...
The NGA effectively puts the Republican and Democratic parties between a rock and a hard place. Delivering the List of Grievances as the 2012 campaigns are in full swing means candidates are going to have to start answering hard questions. Thus, in order to attract the 99r votes, they are going to have to start competing with each other. OWS could have a profound impact on the 2012 election, and the NGA establishes the framework to keep that pressure on. If promises are broken, if The List is ignored (as you noted above), the NGA reconvenes and moves OWS/99% to the next level, the independent third party.
All mass media outlets for alternative voices have been successfully marginalized for decades. TV is too expensive unless you're talking about community TV in which case we'd be pretty much preaching to the choir. Radio, again preaching to our own choir via a handful of low watt college and independent radio stations. Newspapers, I believe organized campaigns of "fact checking" and writing to editors, reporters, etc., would be helpful as the anti-OWS pr machine kicks into high gear. But really I think the one option everyone seems most silent on, and thus most afraid of, is good ol fashioned door to door involvement. We should organize in our neighborhoods and go door to door explaining OWS to those who are willing to listen, (some will, some won't), and invite the "99%" to become involved by coming down to so-and-so's living room, or a rented space, or empty lot with some lawn chairs, whatever, to educate people who fundamentally share our values and our concerns but feel completely dis-empowered on the basics of grass roots organizing. Then we can give people their first taste of democratic self empowerment, what the economic/political establishment finds most horrifying, and involve them directly in the movement. We really have to begin doing this, it's not a choice, every movement has to expand this way or it simply withers in isolation, which I fear could be the path of OWS if we don't expand more significantly beyond an activist elite.
Rid the movement of radical elements.
[Removed]
I was trying to think of mediums that 99% of people will use. TV and Radio are too expensive. Newspapers may be more accessible, but again it is up to the discretion of the proprietor.
Email is possibly the most effective method for reaching large numbers of people, but I worry that it wouldn't communicate that message as potently as other mediums.
Door knocking is definitely something that could really be powerful, but it has been somewhat tainted by religious groups and salespeople. Most people are wary of strangers on their doorsteps.
if it is a good message it can not be stopped. It will be spreading by word of mouth. you don't hide a candle under a basket. When people do tune in to find out, what will they find? will they find a clear message easily? Will they hear a bunch of people trashing the tea party? will they feel the love? or the hate? We need some Wall mart greeters for OWS
"We need some Wall mart greeters for OWS"
Hahahaha, on the face of it I love it but please elaborate.
welcome to OWS how can I help you help to change what is wrong with Washington, can I help you find something?
I think that's a really good idea. It could be a branded information point at the entrance to each camp. Use a couple of occupiers (the most well presented) to answer questions from curious passers-by and hand out information. It's seriously a good idea.
thanks i meant it that way. a greeter would have helped me to find what i was looking for quicker
I went to the occupy camp here in Auckland and I wandered around for about 10 minutes but I couldn't find anything or anyone to explain what it was all about.
Ha! That's great. We need to make OWS greeter uniforms. I'm in um, some random OWS, who knows, but we could use 3 greeters at 3 primary entrances. I know people are a bit uncomfortable and kind of put off and getting in the habit of avoiding the protest gathering area. Maybe greeters are a solution? Then again maybe greeters would just freak them out more. Either way, it's at least funny.
consider encouraging everyone to be a greeter then the group would grow quickly
Funny that you would mimic and then attempt to discredit everything I suggested without actually addressing the post your are attempting to mimic and then discredit. "Door knocking" as you refer to it, has not been "tainted" by religious groups and salespeople, religious groups and salespeople, if their is a difference, have tainted themselves. I have canvassing experience and our mysterious neighbors will always surprise those who bother to talk to them with how interested they are in the world around them. Unfortunately many of them have been trained by the corporate media to believe that they are powerless pawns in someone else's game, and many so called "activists" have been trained by the activist elitist media to believe that the 99% are mindless zombies and it's no use trying to reach them, we just have to speak for them because they are too ignorant to know what is good for them.
WE MUST EXPAND. As I stated in the comment you have suspiciously sidestepped, reaching out on a personal level from door to door in our own neighborhoods to DIRECTLY INFORM and INVOLVE an ever wider spectrum of oppressed people is the only way for OWS to avoid the path of isolation, marginalization, and manipulation, that has lead previous movements over a cliff. You asked for solutions, I would hope that you would be open to them. Fucking around with technology and mass media is great, but nothing will ever be nearly as effective as face to face human connection with diverse people we may not even be comfortable speaking to, but with whom we will not only find kindred spirits, but our own spirits.
Organize! Organize! Organize!
Hey, sorry you thought I was mimicking or discrediting your post. That wasn't the intention. There was simply a lot of information in your response and I didn't have the time to address everything you brought up.
I'm not against going door-to-door, but if you wan't to reach the number of people necessary to affect real change, you need to communicate en masse. You say nothing will be as effective as face-to-face communication, but the reality is that television is more effective at communicating messages quickly to a lot of people, with intensified emotive value. You might not like the idea, but if this movement wants to move beyond the streets, it will have to reach a much greater number of people.
I gotcha, it was just off putting and I responded with some healthy suspicion but clearly there was just a communication glitch. I'm not sure why you are suggesting TV though since you say in your own post what I pointed out, that TV is too expensive. Further more, even organizations such as MOVE ON, which are moderate in comparison to OWS as a whole, have had their adds refused by corporate TV. TV really isn't an option. That doesn't really bother me, Mao didn't bring revolution to China with well placed TV adds. I'm not a Maoist, but I think you get the point. Name one revolution or one mass movement which owes it's success to 30 second TV adds or public access TV shows nobody watches. There is not one. Name all of the revolutions and mass movements which owe their success to the kind of direct grass roots organizing you and others are so dismissive of. That would be every single last god damned one of them. There is a historical trend here, can you see it?
Spamming email and knocking doors will make the 99% like you about as much as the plans for occupying the subway or the roads would.
Agree.
And your plan? Some amazing technogeekery that involves 99% of the population yet without the inconvenience of actually having to talk to them? Keep in mind that a third of the population lives in poverty and or debts and, like me, can't afford the latest smart phone.
All ideas are welcome.
Apparently unless they involve actually attempting to directly involve the wider population of oppressed workers and the poor. But other than that, yes, all ideas are very welcome.
You can tell people anything you wish to these days. Many organizations do that every day. You can make all the promises you wish to. You can have the most noble goals in the world. They've heard it a million times from all sorts of people-including our politicians. But until you have actual proof-and a credible record-of actually DOING SOMETHING that DOES benefit the people outside of OWS-you're no better than any of the rest of those who claim that they are "working for people like you".
All they've SEEN so far is a lot of yelling protesters who ignored the laws designed to protect private property and the safety and peace of ALL citizens in public places by taking over a "shared space" for their own purposes.
They've seen those same people vilify, torment, taunt, and ignore the police and law enforcement people THEY HIRED-with their tax dollars-to protect them and their property and their rights.
They've seen these people block entrances to buildings they want to enter while yelling insults and accusations at them.
They've seen THEIR right to move about freely and without imposition ignored.
They've seen the tax dollars they pay that were intended for specific "society benefiting" purposes diverted instead to overtime and city repairs and security issues that would have otherwise never existed.
And to top all that off-they've been told time and time again that OWS has no "official goals" or "official beliefs" for others to inspect in order to agree or disagree with.
Your words mean NOTHING in today's world. Your actions do.
What are the actions that would mean something to you? What could the OWS movement do to convince you that they were working for the good of people like you?
Please don't think this is meant sarcastically, I'm genuinely interested.
Justthefacts makes a good point. OWS needs to be very careful as to what they are targeting. People these days do respond to actions, and word are truly nothing. Hooliganism and terror tactics affecting ordinary people are turnoffs. When OWS targets somebody or something (and they should) it needs to be done carefully, properly advertised as to the purpose, goal, and reason, and focused so as to hopefully force some clear tactically political end. How one does it is as important as what one does.
If OWS were to knock the power out of the NYSE so as to stop it from functioning that would turn me on.....
If OWS were to knock the power out of the NYSE, the Pentagon, Monsanto, and any institution of entrenched evil, that would be fine and dandy, and there is nothing wrong with fictional expressions of rebellion, but actually physically cutting off the power to the most powerful institutions in the world is not really an option. There are no silver bullets. Organizing the oppressed is an option, and indeed if we wish to succeed in any effort to overcome such overwhelming odds, organizing and uniting the majority of oppressed people is our only option.
What are you going to do once you are organized and united? OWS probably already has enough activists, and enough passive support behind the activists to take direct action for political change right now. Justthefacts makes a very important point; talk is cheap and the 1% can care less what the rest of the 99% thinks or says. Soliciting and educating a passivated public is an important part of every revolution, but firm, and disciplined actions that achieve political ends is essential, and is what gets greater numbers of people activated. My suggestion is that concurrent with any organizing, uniting, soliciting, and educating efforts, that OWS start actively working directly for change. That means taking actions that force the hands of political opponents. I agree taking out the NYSE may not be the most pragmatic thing to do at the moment. I meant it as a euphemism. The west coast folks appear to have something coming down on 12/12.
"What are you going to do once you are organized and united?"
Knock the power out of the NYSE. Not the electrical power but the economic and political power. Perhaps that is what you too were suggesting, but not as directly. I took notes on Egypt, and it wasn't power in the streets that finally brought Mubarak down, it was power in the work place. What the corporate media and the US activist community alike have remained blind to is that nothing changed in Egypt, the government was able and willing to accept a few isolated protest encampments, until workers struck en mass occupying and shutting down major hubs of capitalist wealth production. Only then did Egypt's ruler's finally buckle and ditch Mubarak. It didn't go far enough of course as the military is still in control, but that is another issue. The point is that street protests are a great way to bring public attention to a cause but too many people believe the protests are a means to an end in and of themselves. The true end is the organization of the oppressed classes and the occupation of the means of production, thus removing the very source of capitalist economic control and placing it firmly in the hands of we the people to be run by the workers in the interest of the workers, not a tiny parasitic elite that reduces millions of human beings to units of wealth production allowing them to amass ever more obscene levels of personal wealth and political power. But first people must learn how to rule themselves, only then can they organize to run their work places, thus the need to educate as many people as possible as to the foundations of democratic decision making and provide them the experience of collective democratic organizing so that they can not help but to desire this same sense of empowerment in that most dis-empowering environment of all, the corporate capitalist work place. That is the purpose of the organizing of which I speak, everything else is just a means to this end.
If I heard a knock on my door, opened my door, and a voluntary rep of OWS greeted me at my door to demystify the movement, briefly engage me in interesting conversation, and answer my many questions, then offered me the opportunity of personal involvement (If I were not already involved), in the local decision making process and activities of OWS, then I, the average American I assume you wish to reach, would be quite convinced that the OWS movement actually was a movement, and was actually working for the good of the people. Otherwise I might come to believe it's a small clique of self righteous activists who are afraid of expanding beyond their comfort bubble to actually connect with the great majority of Americans who aren't into smart phones and drum circles.
P.S. Personally I'm a fan of technology and drum circles, but I'm enough of an adult to know that the world does not revolve around my interests.