Forum Post: The Need to Elevate the Movement

Kudos to all those who have contributed in some way, fashion or form especially those who have committed themselves in some consistent way that reflects their commitment. They are all to be roundly congratulated.

The anger and suffering have concretized into a recognition that protest and demonstrations are necessary to draw attention to this reality. The OWS activities have struck a chord. The focus on the 99% versus the 1% is a brilliant yet simple focus on the massive injustices and unfairness within American society and the political system which is being held hostage by plutocratic forces, the wealthy and the miniscule proportion of the population which desires such inequities.

It would be nice, however, if the protests an demonstrations might morph into a Movement with a structure and organization. This would elevate the Movement to another level and, I believe, attract those who are willing to commit themselves to the more serious and challenging goal of developing a structure which offers the promise of longevity.

Public protesting and demonstrations are effective in attracting people to the cause but organization and structure are necessary in developing a platform, strategy and tactics that find resonance throughout a larger geographic area. Having actual chapters with regular members and meetings will mean the media will take us more seriously. Education also can be a critical point of having chapters, sharing and communication information to a broader segment of our base.

Much of the support we have is at a more visceral and emotional level. Many people recognize the need to inform and educate supporters to the nature of our fight. On the one hand, we need to provide an analysis of the essential problems of the inequality and injustice within American society as well as the political and economic systems. The more educated, informed and articulate members become, the more effective the Movement becomes.

This also means that discussions about what we want and where we want to go have the added advantage of reflecting the wisdom of those among us who have more experience and have thought about these issues for years and decades. This sharing is crucial. The young and the novices amongst us have a desire to learn from those who are more informed or, at the very least, to learn from the resources and experts on the topics that are most relevant.

Lastly, the Movement should not shy away from leaders as long as the leaders are seen to be those who are respected for their wisdom and dedication. Leaders can expedite this process. They can be catalysts for change by the power of their charisma. Think Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

We must envision a Movement with a 1000 chapters nationwide, with an educated and informed base, and with a platform and direction which challenges the power structure itself. I say this with all due respect of those who are serious about changing our political system so that it truly reflects the power of the people not just corporations or the plutocracy.