Forum Post: The Myth That The Movement Failed? - a student's perspective
Posted 11 years ago on Oct. 25, 2013, 7:50 p.m. EST by nttastrrx3
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I haven't been around too long (as far as with the movement, which i sympathize with, or in general as I'm a 19 year old college sophmore in manhattan).
I want to say there is apathy amongst my generation, but there isn't. Most of us are aware of the bullsh*t surrounding us and talk of change and consciousness and revolution, but a good portion don't stay motivated or passionate long enough to do anything besides voice opinion.
I like to believe it's due to the countless things we have available to distract us media-wise and responsibilities of becoming new adults. Many feels it's futile. That it's overwhelming and we don't know where to start because there is SO MUCH. Socially, economically, politically; wrong. For the most part, it's just spreading awareness. And there's nothing wrong with that: a revolution begins within the mind.
After a while, they give up. They don't know where to go or what to do or if it will matter. They want to take action now, but we don't really know how. Everyone seems to just be waiting around, talking about it, but nobody seems to be doing anything. I think we all feel like the other will do it for us so we stay passive.
I feel a lot of it has to do with major news networks no longer breaking headlines about the ideas of reforms in place. Because of that a lot of people think this has just "gone away" or "failed".
There are many websites and social medias references to go to, and while the availability is great it makes it difficult to find one common place where all information can be gathered which also makes things feel overwhelming. I was trying to find more information myself, but it felt scattered everywhere. Some things aren't clear.
Anyways, I've been trying to read a lot about the past on how major changes occurred. And I really truly believe if we can garnish the excitement of my generation's LONGING to see change the momentum can help propel the movement.
This post was to be of NO means of offensiveness, or a critique, but i'm simply hoping people can toss around more ideas that will help inspire people my age to see things and take ACTION instead of refreshing facebook. Where people can gather and talk. Or how atleast I can find a way to start doing that. Because I'm clueless myself.
We have all these young people talking and discussing about how crappy things are. About a revolution and awakening. Online, there is so much RADICAL social justice activism and making things known it's really beautiful (on tumblr for example). But beyond the realms of the internet, not very much. No person to person contact. And I think if we want it to be heard, we actually have to hear it you know? The time is now and so many of us are ready.
If anybody has any opinions about this or polite suggestions please feel free!
From what I have observed, after seeing the documentary 'occupy love' and how the movement unfolded, I conclude that location, location, location was vital to the movement. It was unfortunate that the park was owned by the 1% which gave them an upper hand. What I suggest is to lease, rent or own a location. Start a kickstarter project to purchase a property in which the movement can operate. An official HQ if you will where no one can be evicted. Occupy Wall St needs a permanent residence in NYC. I am just tossing ideas and had not thought through the logistics of it all but if it turns out successful then rinse and repeat for other locations in order to expand. I am confident that 99>1
The great Gandhi made a suggestion; that is to go out and live as one would like the world to be.
Don't wait for somebody else to do something. Just start doing it, (If for nothing else it will help clear your conscience), and don't spend much time at the computer; there is a whole real world out there.
" but a good portion don't stay motivated or passionate long enough to do anything besides voice opinion.
I like to believe it's due to the countless things we have available to distract us media-wise and responsibilities of becoming new adults."
True. The entire population (almost) is on pills, has tons of gadgets, and the fact that wages havent increased at all over teh last 30 years means there is less and less time for anything besides trying to get bills paid.
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