COMMENTARY | “Occupy what?” I ask. Every morning, for weeks now I wake up before sunrise, climb out of bed, make my way downstairs and flip on the morning news inevitably finding myself ask that question.
The news headlines are always the same, “Occupy (Insert your city here) Protesters Remain Defiant.” I see images of protesters sleeping in front of courthouses, marching in cities, holding signs up with whatever their individual cause is and a whole lot of “We are the 99%” being thrown around.
The original movement, Occupy Wall Street, claims on its website that “Occupy Wall Street is leaderless resistance movement with people of many colors, genders and political persuasions. The one thing we all have in common is that We Are The 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%.”
Again, I say “Occupy what?” for some reason, even after researching this “non-cause,” I still don’t get it.
Never in my lifetime have I seen such a nationwide movement arise so quickly in America. I was raised on the idea that one person can make a difference, and indeed, it looks as if one can inspire many to make a difference. But this movement saddens me because I believe there is no difference being made, only repetitive news headlines. Such an amazing show of force by the American people, and what will come of it?
Tell me, Occupy protesters, how will this movement, this so called “leaderless” movement, benefit our country any more than its current state? Do you honestly believe that using the successful tactics of the Arab Spring movement will bring a better quality of life to the American people? If so, if that is what you believe, then tell me how, tell us all how bringing down the government, corporations, big banks, etc. will possibly make life better for us.
And maybe therein lays the real question for me: What is the solution? Occupy Wall Street doesn’t have one, our government doesn’t seem to have one, so who does? If Occupy Wall Street wants to create real change, instilling a movement that will last, then they need to come up with a plan that addresses the concerns, the fears, and the insecurities of the American public.
Until then, that lack of direction, the forethought that these protesters are purposely ignoring, is the very reason why I am choosing to occupy reality. Until there is a solution, I will continue to shut the television off, get dressed, go to my full time job, pay my bills (which include my student loans), and not blame others for what I don’t have. I am going to survive, because that is what American’s really are, protesters or non-protesters, we are survivors.