+ Ten Ways the Occupy Movement Changes Everything

occupyonline:

1. It names the source of the crisis.
Political insiders have avoided this simple reality: The problems of the 99% are caused in large part by Wall Street greed, perverse financial incentives, and a corporate takeover of the political system. Now that this is understood, the genie is out of the bottle and it can’t be put back in.

2. It provides a clear vision of the world we want.
We can create a world that works for everyone, not just the wealthiest 1%. And we, the 99%, are using the spaces opened up by the Occupy movement to conduct a dialogue about the world we want.

3. It sets a new standard for public debate.
Those advocating policies and proposals must now demonstrate that their ideas will benefit the 99%. Serving only the 1% will not suffice, nor will claims that the subsidies and policies that benefit the 1% will eventually “trickle down.”

4. It presents a new narrative.
The solution is not to starve government or impose harsh austerity measures that further harm middle-class and poor people already reeling from a bad economy. Instead, the solution is to free society and government from corporate dominance. A functioning democracy is our best shot at addressing critical social, environmental, and economic crises.

5. It creates a big tent.
We, the 99%, are people of all ages, races, occupations, and political beliefs. We will resist being divided or marginalized. We are learning to work together with respect.

6. It offers everyone a chance to create change.
No one is in charge; no organization or political party calls the shots. Anyone can get involved, offer proposals, support the occupations, and build the movement. Because leadership is everywhere and new supporters keep turning up, there is a flowering of creativity and a resilience that makes the movement nearly impossible to shut down.

7. It is a movement, not a list of demands.
The call for deep change—not temporary fixes and single-issue reforms—is the movement’s sustaining power. The movement is sometimes criticized for failing to issue a list of demands, but doing so could keep it tied to status quo power relationships and policy options. The occupiers and their supporters will not be boxed in.

8. It combines the local and the global.
People in cities and towns around the world are setting their own local agendas, tactics, and aims. What they share in common is a critique of corporate power and an identification with the 99%, creating an extraordinary wave of global solidarity.

9. It offers an ethic and practice of deep democracy and community.
Slow, patient decision-making in which every voice is heard translates into wisdom, common commitment, and power. Occupy sites are set up as communities in which anyone can discuss grievances, hopes, and dreams, and where all can experiment with living in a space built around mutual support.

10. We have reclaimed our power.
Instead of looking to politicians and leaders to bring about change, we can see now that the power rests with us. Instead of being victims to the forces upending our lives, we are claiming our sovereign right to remake the world.

(Source: truedemocracy, via occupyallstreets)

  1. wide-calf-boots-4-women reblogged this from truedemocracy
  2. sailorvegan reblogged this from reagan-was-a-horrible-president
  3. sonofgroucho reblogged this from silas216
  4. occupy4all reblogged this from enlighteningnews
  5. toiletman reblogged this from silas216
  6. sancho108 reblogged this from anticapitalist
  7. silas216 reblogged this from enlighteningnews
  8. veganvampires reblogged this from occupywallstreet
  9. amykate28 reblogged this from occupywallstreet
  10. olivandra reblogged this from occupysf
  11. luciiferus reblogged this from livinglogic
  12. livinglogic reblogged this from occupywallstreet
  13. melris reblogged this from firstimpressionsoflife
  14. firstimpressionsoflife reblogged this from lilac-hour
  15. alyylorraine reblogged this from truth-has-a-liberal-bias
  16. snakeandapples reblogged this from argonautic
  17. kbutno reblogged this from anticapitalist
  18. argonautic reblogged this from rosaschaf
  19. esotericegalitarian reblogged this from enlighteningnews
  20. janecartwrite reblogged this from occupycali and added:
    Occupy everything.
  21. cumberbundtcake reblogged this from inkandheart
  22. inkandheart reblogged this from broken-riddle
  23. synathroesmus reblogged this from invinciblemonsters
  24. invinciblemonsters reblogged this from impertinentpeach
  25. teknomadiq reblogged this from occupywallstreet
  26. theonlyzombieonmars reblogged this from broken-riddle
  27. broken-riddle reblogged this from lilac-hour
  28. impertinentpeach reblogged this from lilac-hour
  29. lilac-hour reblogged this from occupywallstreet
  30. falbet reblogged this from peahat