Forum Post: Time for Change Within the Movement

I recently read about the drastic decline in donations and support for the Occupy Movement. Many attribute this decline to the recent lack of media attention, and the lack of media attention to the loss of the centralized focus point of the Zuccotti Park. While I agree about the lack of media attention, I disagree with the reasons for this decline. I believe that this decline in interest (ie donations and media attention) in the Occupy movement is largely due to the lack of focus of the group. I understand that the initial essence of being for the movement was this free flowing ideology – representing a sort of generalized discontent with the corruption, greed and all things bad about the state of the union. And while I wholeheartedly agree and sympathize with the majority of these issues, I think this lack of clear and central message has largely hurt the movement. In the early weeks I was totally on board. I too am outraged and upset. I was excited by the movement- excited and hopeful that we could bring about real change. We had a VOICE! But as the weeks wore on and the movement evolved and grew, it became obvious that in order to for this to work, in order for something to truly happen, it would take a coordinated and organized approach. Unfortunately, this never materialized, and as a result support, sympathy and media attention has waned. What began with such promise and hope never moved forward- instead it moved backwards. Many of you will disagree and say look how we’ve grown from one small park to the entire nation- to the WORLD! But what have we gained? We have not brought about real discussion, not brought about real change. Instead we have created a fringe group that comes across as angry, disorganized, and unfocused and has the look of a tailgating party at a Phish concert. My point is this- in its infancy the Occupy movement was right on. It captured the imagination of us all. We were all on board. We are all outraged. But then things never matured. They never focused. Instead producing an organized and cohesive message, the movement was left unchecked and unguided. We never stood a chance. Again, I know you will all disagree- but the facts speak for themselves. Interest is fading. Support is drying up. Change has not come. Ask anyone outside the movement what the movement stands for now- you will get mixed messages and lots of shrugs. No one knows. There is still time however. 2012 is an important year. An important election. We have a chance to really send a message. We have a chance to FORCE those in “power” to notice us and to hear us. We have a chance to bring about reform. But we must have a simple and direct message. Yes there are countless problems facing us today. We cannot fix everything. Instead we must choose one or two if the most critical issues facing us, and we must propose a SOLUTION. We must propose REAL and SUBSTANTIVE answers. And we must present them in a calm and organized manner. We can make a difference, but not on the course that we are presently on.