Forum Post: Love what the occupation stands for, sadly don't think it will accomplish anything
Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 6, 2011, 11:33 p.m. EST by 9thchina
(0)
from Newark, NJ
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
I am 100% sympathetic to the cause; in fact, I have considered myself a socialist for many years and have by-and-large been able to remove myself from the capitalist system. Avoiding capitalism takes some real sacrifice though.
Americans are too fat and comfortable to take the necessary drastic steps to affect real change. 99% of the 99% aren't anywhere near being concerned/dedicated/desperate enough to risk even temporarily giving up their warm beds, regular meals, and relative safety. Truly, 99% of the 99% do have a roof over their heads, some food each day, and aren't in harms way. Despite the stress of living paycheck to paycheck and never having enough money and despite the anger towards the outrageously corrupt corporate government, they aren't willing to put it all on the line and fight for real change.
What would it take to make real change? Just what it has taken to accomplish change recently in the Arab world and what it has always taken throughout human history: an army. Non-violence is all well and good in theory, but in practice has never accomplished anything substantial. It would take many, many times more people than are currently protesting to be willing to put everything at risk and physically take over the city. As it stands, a few hundred cops have complete control over the thousands of people who stand obediently and quiescently behind partitions.
Who is going to step up and take the big risks? Nobody. It's not worth it. The 99% still have something to lose, thus won't risk it.
Watching the video on the front page I hear people out there saying they're not "allowed" to put up tents or other structures, they're not "allowed" to tie anything to trees, that they're not "allowed" to this and that the other thing. Sheepishly obeying the unjust rules of a system you're against is not how real change happens. Laying down to the abusive force of sadistic cops is not how real change happens. Being good boys and girls is not how real change happens.
This "movement" is desperately needed, yes. The insatiable greed of the wealthy and corporate ownership of the government has to stop, yes. It's just too soon. Only after the wealthy have taken everything there is to take and the 99% are really suffering and have nothing left to lose will they be ready to actually take up arms as revolutionaries. Only then will real change be possible.
It's important to try, though, don't you think? It's important to remember that real change usually happens very slowly. If we start speaking up now we may actually get results- eventually. That's better than never. Just look at the civil rights movement. Or at the women's rights movement. Just stay positive, stay peaceful and persevere, because sooner or later people will listen. Probably later :)
Remember that no one ever thinks real change is possible- until suddenly it is. Everyone should start reading some history books because this is history in the making.
It might take a while, but it's happening. I say, think positive! What's the downside?
While I agree with your overall argument, I must say I scoffed at this: "Non-violence is all well and good in theory, but in practice has never accomplished anything substantial." I could name at least 5 peaceful protests that accomplished something-- 1) Vietnam protests 2) Civil Rights movement 3) Salt March 4) Quiet Revolution 5) Gay Liberation Front. Peace is the way. Violence only begets violence.
Now, the way that we attempt this peaceful protest is an entirely different, and critical, issue.
And keep the non-violence protest. Keep the hard work that we the people are supporting all the actions OWS is taken to bring the awareness and civil participation. Keep going, do not stop, this is the beginning of the people's revolution, you are making history, you are taking america back to the people away from the corporations.... keep going we support you!!!
I agree with Candyce2011 OWS needs concrete demands. Here are some ideas:
constitutional amendments intended to democratize the U.S. Constitution. This amendment affirms that constitutional rights extend only to human persons. Corporations, partnerships, and other organizational entities are not human persons and, therefore, are not entitled to constitutional protections. Here is more where this comes from http://movetoamend.org/democracy-amendments
@ We want justice for all the frauds committed by corporations, nobody of the banksters or CEO's have gone to jail. We want the people responsible of fraud in jail.
@Real financial reform ex. get back the Glass-Steagall law among others
we should be brainstorming more ideas........
1.) Please keep up the non-violence and beware of those that encourage violence. We cannot forget that the West has dangerous enemies who will do whatever they can to use these protests to their advantage, if possible. It is crucial for MANY reasons that these protests remain peaceful.
2.) I agree that in its current state, I'm worried that the OWS and spreading global movements will have no real outcome. And with no real outcome, any further efforts may be that much harder to organize and gain attention. What the OWS needs is concrete demands. These concrete demands must then be spread and reiterated over and over and over. Right now, the protests are simply outbursts over injustice. Now that America is watching, they're thinking, "Okay... So what do they want?" The movement CANNOT gain widespread support until we can answer that question.
No suggestions of violence please. If the protest turns violent, Martial Law will be declared.