Forum Post: My Time in Zuccotti Park...Redux

You're probably going to call me a slacker, a hippie, a commie, a bum - you'll probably ASSUME that I'm on welfare, receive food stamps and spend the majority of my time in an unemployment line - BUT I AM MUCH MORE. I'm educated, I've been published and through being published - committed to paper and online sources alike - I am Immortal. So feel free TROLLS AND CORPORATE TOOLS of the mainstream media and corporations to leave your comments, your propaganda. And it is to you that I say that it is unfortunate that you have such a low opinion of me, of us - THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEKING THE REMOVAL OF YOUR UNJUST, CORRUPT CORPORATE OWNERS!

I've always wanted to get married, to have children, to have a family of my own. But, have always been afraid of bringing children into this world out of fear of the ways of our corrupt government and the corporations that own it. Worrying that my children would be bullied because of their identity, homeless because of greed, injured because of desperation, or left to die because of a dysfunctional healthcare system that pretends to protect the very institution that is life.

I know that this is hard for you, but I have a story to tell of my three-day weekend in Zuccotti Park in October of 2011. There was no need to shout MIC CHECK when I first started, it wasn't my intention to make a point - I just spoke. I stated:

I am going to tell you a bedtime story, one that I was told when I was younger, one that sent me off to the land of dreams and guaranteed me a night's rest. I am going to do this because in the 33 years that I have been alive, I have never seen such kindness, such beauty, such global unity. And it is to you my fellow Occupier's that I relay this message: I love you all and thank you for restoring my hope in Humanity…

I began, voice rattling - tension in the air making me shake. I don't know how many of them were listening - 25, 50, 100, 200 (?) but they were listening; the good drum circle enablers even laid down their drumsticks to let me tell my story.

A story, a belief, an IDEA that is still with me today and if nothing ever becomes of Occupy Wall Street I will always have the memory of my three days in New York City when I witnessed people of all ethnicities, religions, genders and cultures; PEOPLE of different walks of life - DEAR GOD - the homeless, the housed, the willing and the desperate, turning off their TV's and turning to each other - AND IT WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN.

And though I may be arrested for writing this post, as have others in your flock that fell for the myth of free speech, others dispelled by the lies of tin gods and false prophets. I can tell you this - they can take my freedom, they can take my money, they can leave me homeless and starving on the fucking sidewalk, but what they can't take from me is a three-day experience that I wouldn't trade for three decades. What they can't rip from my soul is having witnessed the potential of humanity - OF GREAT LOVE - and the greatness that waits future generations. What they can't steal from me is a memory that will live with me for the rest of my natural life and inspire me to do great things until the day that I die. And it is through these few, treasured memories that I find the courage to relay this message:

IT'S DIFFICULT, BUT PLEASE CONTINUE. Love each other, breed unity, preserve peace, progress prosperity, and know that tomorrow can be brighter than today - if you enable it, if you empower it, if you fight for it. Thank you Occupiers, 99%er's, the other 99%er's, and Advocates's everywhere for your time, your charity and these wondrous memories. I LOVE YOU ALL!